Facility readiness and availability of sexual and reproductive health services for female undergraduate students in tertiary institutions in Ondo State

Mercy K. Aladegboye, Adesegun O. Fatusi

Abstract

Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Nigeria have a high burden of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) problems. SRH burden may be higher among female undergraduates, given the peculiarity of campus environments that allow for more sexual freedoms. Studies on AGYW SRH issues in Nigeria have not sufficiently focused on female undergraduates and the campus setting of SRH service provision. Consequently, very little is known about the availability of SRH services in institution-based health facilities and the facilities’ readiness to respond to SRH needs. This cross-sectional study assessed the availability of SRH services to 638 female undergraduates in six private and public tertiary institutions in Ondo State and the readiness of the institution-based facilities for service delivery across six SRH domains: sexuality education; family planning; safe motherhood; post-abortion care; sexually transmitted infections; and, sexual violence. Analysis was undertaken using SPSS. The findings show a low level of availability of SRH services to female undergraduates and poor readiness of institution-based health facilities centers regarding SRH service provision. Identified gaps in the readiness of institution-based health facilities need to be addressed to facilitate improved availability and accessibility of female undergraduates to comprehensive SRH services. 

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