Sexual and reproductive health services utilization and its predictors among students in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Students are the most vulnerable group for reproductive health problems due to their inclination to be engaged in risky sexual behavior. The present study sought to determine the pooled prevalence of sexual and reproductive health service utilization and its determinant factors among students in Ethiopia.

Methods & Materials: 

PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and the Ethiopian University online library were searched. The review took place between November 15, 2022, and December 15, 2022. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using STATA statistical software version 14. The pooled prevalence of sexual and reproductive health service utilization was computed with 95% CI, whereas a log odds ratio was used to declare the statistical significance between associated factors and sexual and reproductive health service utilization.

There were 1520 research articles retrieved, but 18 articles with 12,338 participants were met the inclusion criteria and included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled estimates of sexual and reproductive health service utilization among students was 42.606% (95% CI: 32.917%–52.295%; I2 = 88.3%). Discussion with families/friends  (OR=3.033, 95% CI=2.217-4.150, P-value<0.001, I2=75%) and knowledge  (OR=2.215, 95%CI=1.105-4.515, P-value=0.025, I2= 85%) were predictors of sexual and reproductive health service utilization among students.

In relation to the data from the studies under analysis, below half percent of students in Ethiopia utilized sexual and reproductive health services. Further health education and communication are crucial to improving knowledge about sexual and reproductive health services among students in Ethiopia.