| dc.description.abstract | Purpose: Reproductive health is essential component of public health and can considerably
influence the quality of life. No previous studies had been carried out to establish status of access
to these crucial services amongst the students in Kenyan universities. However, studies from
other universities in other parts of the world and Africa highlighted numerous issues impending
access to these crucial services. The study sought to determine whether available services were
responsive to the needs of the student of Chuka University.
Methodology: It adopted a descriptive cross-section research design.
Findings: The results indicated that 51% (n=18) of the respondents visited the facility because
they knew that the facility was offering a HIV test, 24% (n=8) visited the facility because it had
convenient opening time, 14% (n=5) said that the facility had enough privacy, while 11% (n=4)
had enough good service providers.
Conclusions and Recommendation: The study concluded that the available services are not
packaged in a way that is attractive to clients who are university students. The phenomenon leads
to student seeking services in private clinics which are more appealing and responsive to their
needs. Also from the findings, it was concluded that there exists a gap in sharing on issues
regarding sex between parents, service providers and the students which is attributed to mystery
surrounding reproductive health issues which have a bearing from religious teaching and our
African culture. The study recommended that University health services should step up
investment in reproductive health services targeting the student needs like, family planning, post
abortion care, screening for reproductive health cancers and STI/HIV screening and treatment.
These services to be offered at convenient hours and at cost which the student can afford in order
to ensure access. Reproductive health component to be included among common units taught to
undergraduate students, with the intention of creating awareness to the students on issues of
reproductive health since most them are very naïve on these issues. | en_US |
