Factors Influencing Uptake of Sexual Reproductive Health Services Among Female Students at Maseno University Kenya


Authors : Elizabeth Yolanda Aballa; David Masinde; Paul Kosiyo; Dickens Omondi

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 2 - February

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/fz2jtzpu

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/3ra5878s

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14909876

Abstract : Introduction: Uptake of Sexual Reproductive Health Services (SRHS) is a Public Health challenge especially among female youth mainly within aged 20-24years. In the developing world, SRH services area either lacking or of low quality and are sometimes sub-optimally used by the youth, due to either lack of awareness and knowledge or due to cultural sensitivity and misconceptions regarding this issue. Globally, about 50% of all new HIV infections are due to poor uptake of relevant SRHS are among youth with an estimated 33.1 million people aged 15-24 years living with HIV in 2018. Despite the Kenya Government’s commitment of resources to Reproductive Health services and youth friendly policies, the uptake of SRHS remain low nationally.  Objective: Therefore, the current study evaluated factors influencing the uptake of SRHS by the female undergraduate students’ at Maseno University (MU).  Methodology: This cross-sectional study, female students (n=359) aged 20-24 years were recruited using purposive random sampling. Both quantitative and qualitative data was collected using self-administered questionnaire for students’ and interview guide for the key informants. Statistical was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Variations in SHRS services uptake, SRHS being utilized and factors influencing SRHS uptake was subjected to descriptive statistics. Chi-square tests while relationships between dependent and independent variables. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine specific socio-cultural factors influencing uptake of SRHS. Statistical significance was set at P ≤0.05.  Results: Knowledge on VCT services was the most available service at 71.4% followed by knowledge on HIV/AIDS (45.7%). 84.7% of SRHS were available, with a range of service being offered for free (87.4%). with regard to institutional factors, sharing as sharing of SRHS free (P=0.033), prohibition of SRHS by religion (P=0.033) companion in seeking SRHS (P=0.039) being statistically significant.  Conclusion: Knowledge, attitude and practice, availability, acceptability, affordability and accessibility of SRHS influence uptake of SRHS. Furthermore, institutional factors influence uptake of SRHS among MU female students. Creation of awareness of the uptake of SRHS is necessary among female students.

Keywords : Acceptability, Affordability, Attitude, Female Students and Sexual and Reproductive Health.

References :

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Introduction: Uptake of Sexual Reproductive Health Services (SRHS) is a Public Health challenge especially among female youth mainly within aged 20-24years. In the developing world, SRH services area either lacking or of low quality and are sometimes sub-optimally used by the youth, due to either lack of awareness and knowledge or due to cultural sensitivity and misconceptions regarding this issue. Globally, about 50% of all new HIV infections are due to poor uptake of relevant SRHS are among youth with an estimated 33.1 million people aged 15-24 years living with HIV in 2018. Despite the Kenya Government’s commitment of resources to Reproductive Health services and youth friendly policies, the uptake of SRHS remain low nationally.  Objective: Therefore, the current study evaluated factors influencing the uptake of SRHS by the female undergraduate students’ at Maseno University (MU).  Methodology: This cross-sectional study, female students (n=359) aged 20-24 years were recruited using purposive random sampling. Both quantitative and qualitative data was collected using self-administered questionnaire for students’ and interview guide for the key informants. Statistical was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Variations in SHRS services uptake, SRHS being utilized and factors influencing SRHS uptake was subjected to descriptive statistics. Chi-square tests while relationships between dependent and independent variables. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine specific socio-cultural factors influencing uptake of SRHS. Statistical significance was set at P ≤0.05.  Results: Knowledge on VCT services was the most available service at 71.4% followed by knowledge on HIV/AIDS (45.7%). 84.7% of SRHS were available, with a range of service being offered for free (87.4%). with regard to institutional factors, sharing as sharing of SRHS free (P=0.033), prohibition of SRHS by religion (P=0.033) companion in seeking SRHS (P=0.039) being statistically significant.  Conclusion: Knowledge, attitude and practice, availability, acceptability, affordability and accessibility of SRHS influence uptake of SRHS. Furthermore, institutional factors influence uptake of SRHS among MU female students. Creation of awareness of the uptake of SRHS is necessary among female students.

Keywords : Acceptability, Affordability, Attitude, Female Students and Sexual and Reproductive Health.

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