Yimam, Ejigayehu (2007) Assessment of Reproductive Health Behavior and Needs of Street Youth in Dessie Town, Amhara Region. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.
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Abstract
Background: Street youth are exposed to situations that make them vulnerable to sexual and reproductive health problems. The majority of street children are living in conditions of severe deprivation, which place them at all kinds of health risks. Street youth have risky sexual behaviors that increase the likelihood of adverse sexual and reproductive health consequences. Objectives and methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted among 343 street youth with focus group discussions to assess reproductive health behavior and needs of street youth in Dessie Town. The total number of street youth in the town was determined to be 1900 after conducting census for two days. The study subjects were identified by using systematic sampling from the sampling frame. Data was collected using structured questionnaire, entered and analyzed using EPI info and SPSS statistical program respectively. Results: Majority, 67.9%, of the respondents had started sexual intercourse with the mean age of 15.2 years. Ever having sex was associated with being male, income of 5-10 birr and greater than 10 birr per day, more than one year on the street, former residence being rural areas, alcohol drinking and khat chewing. 80.6% of the respondents have more than one sexual partners and the mean lifetime number of sexual partners was 4.85. Among sexually active street youth, 63.9 % had ever used modern contraceptives and it was associated with type of street life, sex, marital status, secondary education and alcohol drinking. Consistent use of condoms was found to be low, 22.8%. Living with peers and alone, former residence being rural areas, more than one year on the street and number of sexual partners above one were found to be associated with consistent use of condoms. It is important to mention that the level of awareness about contraception, HIV/AIDS and other STIs was considerably high; nevertheless, most of them are found to be involved in risky sexual behaviors and the great majority of them considered themselves at low risk for HIV. Conclusion: It was concluded that despite the majority of street youth had adequate knowledge of selected reproductive health issues, most street youth engage in high risk sexual practices. This fact calls for a coordinated and comprehensive effort by responsible organizations to mobilize peer based interventions to bring behavioral change in reducing risky sexual practices.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine |
| Divisions: | Africana |
| Depositing User: | Vincent Mpoza |
| Date Deposited: | 12 Jul 2018 05:59 |
| Last Modified: | 12 Jul 2018 05:59 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/7329 |
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