1. Findings Elieza Paul-ISLP-Country Coordinator eliezapaul@yahoo.com
ASSESSMENT OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH UTILIZATION AMONG ONGOING SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS AGE (15-19).YEARS.
A CASE OF DODOMA MUNICIPAL TANZANIA.
Undergraduate Category:
ABSTRACT.
This study was basically looking on the assessment of the of reproductive health utilization among ongoing school adolescents Dodoma municipality Tanzania. Study was conducted in Dodoma municipality, where as 270 participants were involved and each school receive 45 questionnaires, within but with knowledge on reproductive health utilization. The data collection methods deployed by the researcher were questionnaire for both secondary school , However, this research was divided into five chapters whereby chapter one involved introduction, background of the problem, objective of study, research questions, significant of the study and limitations of the study. While chapter two encountered the literature review, theoretical frame work and conceptual frame work. Chapter three has covered thematic areas about research design and methods in which sampling procedure, data collection methods, study population and sample distribution have been indicated. In chapter four the analysis and presentation of data have clearly been shown. The last chapter in this study was chapter five in which recommendation and conclusion
Significance of the study:The study will enhance the capacity of different sectors such as ministry of education and culture (MOEC) officials, teachers, and parents by assessing their present programs and providing them with new ways of promoting reproductive health education among school adolescents and give awareness to school adolescent on how to overcome reproductive health problems.
Research Questions
The study attempted to answer the following research questions:
 1. Which demographic, socioeconomic and socio-cultural factors determine school adolescents utilization of reproductive health services?
 2. Do knowledge factors influence utilization of reproductive health services?
 3. What are the health system factors that influence the utilization of reproductive health services?
 4. What are the strategies that can be put in place to scale up utilization of reproductive health services
p = the proportion of target population estimated to have a particular characteristics. In this case estimates for Dodoma municipality not known therefore 50% (0.5) it will be used.
e= Permitted error (10%, if the confidence level is 90%); 0.05 q = 1 – p; (1-0.5=0.5)
Therefore n=1.64*1.64*0.5*0.5/0.05*0.05=268.96,approximately=270
Thus the sample size is 270
Findings
Implications of the Findings
The study findings show that utilization of RHS by adolescents is still very low and this has serious implications on the adolescents’ sexuality. It further signifies the failure of adolescent health policy from meeting its objectives. The school adolescents in particular are at a great risk of suffering the consequences of poor reproductive health such as Sexually Transmitted Infections, HIV and AIDS, unwanted pregnancy and abortions, and high levels of school.
Drop-out rate especially among females. The suggestions brought forth by health service providers that the services need to be made accessible to the school adolescents through adjustment of operation hours are valid if success in having the school adolescents fully utilize the RHS is to be achieved. The low level of awareness of RHS among the school adolescents means that there is a big gap between policy makers and the community which needs to be bridged by improving on the structures of RHS information dissemination to the adolescents and in deed to the whole nation
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Study Design. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design that aimed at describing the demographic, socioeconomic, school and socio-cultural and health system factors that influenced utilization of reproductive health services (RHS) among the Ongoing school adolescents.
Independent Variables :These were factors which literature review revealed that had significance on the utilization of FRHS by the youth. These were; demographic factors such as age and sex, socioeconomic and school factors such as, level of education and awareness about existence of youth friendly reproductive health facilities and services, employment status of the parents and type of school. Socio -cultural factors studied included religion and ethnicity. Health system factors included health facility organization and service delivery, health provider attitude and availability of health services within the school and the district.
Dependent Variables :The dependent variable in this study was utilization of reproductive health services measured through the dichotomous response of yes or no.
Statement of the Problem: Adolescence (15-19 years old) is among at risk age groups in Tanzania who face Reproductive health problems. The study will be basing to look challenging to understand the factors contributing to low utilization of sexual and reproductive health services by adolescents and hence to come with better strategies to address the identified factors in order to meet adolescents reproductive health needs and reduce the burden of disease in their later lives. The access to and utilization of RHS services is a primary concern surrounding the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights (Brae ken, 2012). This is attributed to the sensitive nature of sex and sexuality issues among youth which have not been fully addressed and to a large extent the way the reproductive health services are being offered to them (MOH, 2005; IPPF, 2008; Wahome, 2010).
General Objective: study will intend to assess the reproductive health service utilization among school adolescents (15–19 years old) in Dodoma municipality.
Specific objective.
i) To examine the prevalence and factors associated with FP service utilization among school adolescents.
ii) To examine the prevalence and factors associated with VCT service utilization among school adolescents.
iii) To examine barriers of Reproductive Health services utilization among adolescents.
Contact information
Elieza Paul-ISLP-Country Coordinator