Tigabu Eskeziya Zerihun, Desalegn Addis Mussie, Abel Temeche Kassaw, Melaku Mekonnen Agidew, Birhanemaskal Malkamu, Getachew Yitayew Tarekegn, Woretaw Sisay Zewdu, Samuel Agegnew Wondm, Yared Andargie Ferede, Samuel Berihun Dagnew
Age and sexual activity were significant predictors of access to family planning services. Conversely, barriers such as the cost of contraceptives, lack of privacy, and cultural disapproval hindered young women from using these services through pharmacies and drug shops.
BACKGROUND: Pharmacies and drug shops offer a valuable opportunity to improve access to family planning for adolescents and young women. However, challenges still exist that hinder their ability to obtain these services through such outlets.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the factors influencing and barriers to accessing family planning services among adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 years in Debre Tabor Town.
DESIGN: Convergent Parallel Mixed-Method study.
METHODS: Adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 were selected through simple random sampling, while key informants were purposively chosen. A structured questionnaire was used for quantitative data collection, and qualitative data were obtained via key informant interviews. Quantitative data analysis was conducted using STATA version 15, whereas qualitative data were analyzed manually through thematic analysis.
RESULTS: A total of 384 adolescent girls and young women took part in the study, with an average age of 20.74 years. About 41.7% were aged 22-24, while 17% were between 15 and 18 years. Overall, 65.4% reported having access to family planning services. However, those aged 22-24 were 5.6 times more likely to access these services than those aged 15-18 (AOR = 5.6, 95% CI: 1.79-17.38). Additionally, young women who lacked privacy when accessing services were 53% less likely to utilize family planning than those who had privacy (COR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.11, 1.83). Furthermore, individuals from cultures that disapproved of family planning were 44% less likely to seek these services than those from accepting cultures (COR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.14, 1.87).
CONCLUSION: Age and sexual activity were significant predictors of access to family planning services. Conversely, barriers such as the cost of contraceptives, lack of privacy, and cultural disapproval hindered young women from using these services through pharmacies and drug shops.