Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Service Utilization Concerns; a Qualitative Enquiry

Background: Evidence globally indicates that female adolescents face numerous sexual and reproductive health (SRH) risks. Utilization of sexual reproductive health services among adolescents is of global health importance and plays a crucial role in adolescent sexual reproductive health outcomes and their quality of life. Aim: The current study explored the predisposing, need, and enabling factors influencing the utilization of sexual reproductive health services among female adolescents in one of the Metropolis in Southern Ghana. Methods: The study utilized a qualitative exploratory descriptive design and purposive sampling was used to select 12 female adolescents. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Each interviews lasted between 45 and 60 minutes. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: Three major themes (Predisposing, Need and Enabling factors) that influenced participant’s utilization of sexual reproductive health services were identified. Utilization of sexual reproductive health services among female adolescents is low in the metropolis. Factors such as unprotected non-consensual sexual activity or an unwanted pregnancy sometimes triggered the use of these services. Barriers to utilization were also established. Conclusion: To improve service utilization among female adolescents, there is the need for multi sectoral stakeholder engagements to develop and implement modifications to adolescent sexual reproductive health service design, implementation, and delivery