Socio Economic Factors Influencing Access to Reproductive Health Services Among Youth of Laikipia County, Kenya

Abstract

Access to reproductive health services by the youth is influenced by several factors. This study sought to assess the socio-economic determinants of youth’s access to reproductive health services in Laikipia County. The study focused on youth aged between 18 and 25 years through a cross-sectional model using mixed method approach in data collection. Thus, the study collected quantitative data though survey while key informant interviews and focus group discussion were used to collect qualitative data. The study was guided by the theory of reasoned action. The study findings indicate that social determinants of youth access to reproductive health services include social networks and support, service provider relationship with the youths and availability of information in the social spaces such as home and school. The economic determinant is the affordability including the direct costs such as product prices and embedded costs such as transport product prices associated with accessing reproductive health services. The study concludes that access to reproductive health services among the youth is influenced significantly by socio-economic factors such as social support, stigma, provider relationship and financial constraints. It is imperative to put in place mechanisms for address these challenges and building on opportunities in the improvement and management of reproductive health among the youth. The study recommends that relevant stakeholders in public and reproductive health initiate incentivized programs that attract youth including targeting the youth using youth friendly communication channels and peer education.