HEALTH SERVICE UTILIZATION AND REPORTED SATISFACTION AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN DEJEN DISTRICT, ETHIOPIA A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is no adequate health service or counseling specifically suitable for adolescentsin Ethiopia. Adolescents’ satisfaction on the health service provided is important to increase utilizationand quality of care. The objective of this study was to assess health service utilization, reportedsatisfaction and predictors of satisfaction among adolescents of 15-19 years in Dejen District.METHODS: A community based cross-sectional study was done from February 05 to 17, 2012.Interview method was used to collect data from 690 adolescents. Following stratification into urban andrural, six kebeles were selected by lottery method. Study participants allocated proportionally tohouseholds’ size of kebele. Households were selected randomly, and one from each household was used.Descriptive measures and binary logistic regression were used to identify independent predictors forhealth service satisfaction.RESULT: Among 690 adolescents, 313(45%) used health service. Of these, 190 (60.7%) were satisfied.Physical proximity (AOR=3.6, 95% CI: 1.8, 7.3), drug availability (AOR=2.7, 95% CI: 1.3, 5.8), healthservices availability (AOR=2.5, 95% CI: 1.1, 6.0), treatment in separate room (AOR=2.9, 95% CI: 1.4,5.6), checked all adolescents problem (AOR=4.0, 95% CI: 2.0, 8.5), treated with respect (AOR=3.0, 95%CI: 1.4, 5.7) and opportunity to explain feeling (AOR=3.3, 95% CI: 1.7, 6.6) were predictors ofsatisfaction.CONCLUSION: Adolescents’ health service utilization and satisfaction were low. Adolescents’perception of accessibility, acceptability and interaction with health workers’ had significant influenceon health services satisfaction. Therefore, health professionals and administrators should work onavailing services with close proximity and acceptable behavior in order to increase adolescents’satisfaction.