title: Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Ethiopia--does it affect sexual activity among high school students?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Universal access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services for adolescents was added as a target to the revised Millennium Development Goals framework in 2005. However, the utilization of SRH services among adolescents and their sexual activity is not well explored in Ethiopia, with the result that there is no well-designed and sustainable school based intervention for high school students. We aimed to investigate the utilization of sexual and reproductive health services and sexual activity and, to provide evidence based information and recommendations for possible interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1031 female and male high school students aged 14-19 years in Mekelle town, Tigray Region, North Ethiopia. A total of 1031 students participated. Self-administered questionnaire was used.
  
  
  METHODS
  Utilization of sexual and reproductive health services and sexual activity were investigated using a self-administered questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One out of five students had used the SRH services in the past year. The primary reason for visiting the SRH services was to receive information. The mean age for the first sexual intercourse was 15.7 and one-quarter of the students had multiple sexual partners. Unwanted pregnancies and abortions were reported by female students.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SRH services are known and used by students. However, sexual activity at an early age among high school students and unwanted pregnancies and abortions among female students still call for attention. Therefore, providing accurate SRH information on safe sex and enhancing family-student discussion could be a good approach to reach SRH of adolescents.
authors: Department of Public Health, University of Mekelle, P.O.Box:1871, Mekelle, Ethiopia. Electronic address: selamhunu@gmail.com.
authors: Selamawit M
authors: SM
authors: Bilal
authors: Department of Family Medicine, CAPHRI, Maastricht University, Peter Debyeplein 1, 6229 HA Maastricht, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Spigt
authors: Department of Family Medicine, CAPHRI, Maastricht University, Peter Debyeplein 1, 6229 HA Maastricht, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors: Geert Jan
authors: GJ
authors: Dinant
authors: Department of Surgery, University of Alcala, Alcala, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Roman
authors: R
authors: Blanco
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D034121:Reproductive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Parental monitoring; Parent–child communication; Sexual activity; Sexual and reproductive health service