Frank Pio  Kiyingi,Gloria Kasozi  Kirungi,Julius  Kasozi,Miph  Musoke,
Effectiveness of School Based Health Clinics on Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Among School Girls Aged 15-19 Years in Uganda: Cluster Randomized Trial
Journal of Clinical and Medical Case Reports
2020
2733-2268
http://dx.doi.org/10.31487/j.JCMCR.2020.02.02
https://www.sciencerepository.org/effectiveness-of-school-based-health-clinics-on-utilization-of-sexual_JCMCR-2020-2-102 
Abstract: Background: Sexual and reproductive needs among adolescents remain largely unmet in Uganda, this
coupled with poor access and utilization of adolescent sexual and reproductive health services among
secondary school girls increases vulnerability to high risk sexual practices and adolescent pregnancy. This
study aimed at evaluating the effect of providing school based sexual and reproductive health services on
utilization of the services among school girls aged 15-19 years attending secondary schools in Uganda.
Methods: The study used Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (CRCT) design. Twenty secondary schools
(clusters) were selected using cluster sampling and allocated 1:1 into control or intervention group stratified
by geographical location. 1,182 (average cluster size of 60) girls aged 15-19 years were selected using
simple random sampling. The intervention group received tailored Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)
services information, in-school SRH services delivery and referral for a period of ten months. The control
group received no intervention from the research team but had access to the usual public health care. Data
was collected at baseline and end of study; descriptive statistics and inferential analysis was done as well as
structural equation modeling using SPSS.
Results: There was a significant variation in the proportion of school girls who reported receiving more
than three services between the control group and intervention group (χ2 = 4.503, p = < 0.001). The findings
indicate that the utilization of SRH services was higher (65.4%) among the girls who had access to School
Based SRH services (intervention group) compared 34.6% among the girls who had access to services
within the public/government health facilities (control group).
Conclusion: Provision of School Based SRH services is an effective intervention for improving utilization
of sexual and reproductive health services among school going adolescents. This is key in addressing the
SRH needs of adolescents and promoting safe sexual practices.Keywords: Adolescents, utilization, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, school-based