Motivational factors influencing readiness to use youth friendly services among secondary school students in East Belesa district, using the Theory of Planned Behavior, 2022

Abstract Background: Youth refers to people aged between 15 and 24 years. The reproductive health of youth has become a major public health concern. The utilization of youth friendly services is low among Ethiopian school youths. Intention is the best predictor of behavior. However, there is no study done on the area which assesses the intention of the school youths to use youth friendly services. Therefore, this study is aimed to assess intention to use youth friendly services and associated factors among secondary school students in East Belesa.Objectives: This study was aimed to estimate the average intention to use youth friendly services and its factors among secondary school students in East Belesa district, using the Theory of Planned Behavior, 2022.Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 23 to June 12, 2022 in East Belesa district. Stratified random sampling technique was used. Data was entered using EpiData version4.6 and analyzed using STATA version 14. Standardized β and R2 values were used to interpret effects and variability with intention to use youth friendly services respectively. Simple and Multiple linear regression analysis were performed. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value of <0.05 with 95% confidence interval.Results: A total of 511 respondents participated in the study giving a response rate of 99.8%. Around half of the participants were males (52.8%). The mean score of intention to use youth friendly services was 3.39±1.14. Direct perceived behavioral control (β = 0.25, 95%CI: 0.05, 0.45), subjective norm (β = 0.28: 95%CI: 0.09, 0.47), attitude (β = 0.20; CI: 0.03, 0.36), educated mothers (β = 1.65, 95%CI: 0.21, 3.09) and female sex (β = -1.77; 95% CI: -3.10, -0.44) were significant predictors of intention to use youth friendly services.Conclusion: the magnitude of intention to use youth friendly services was low. Perceived behavioral control, attitude, subjective norm, educated mothers and sex were the predictors of intention to use youth friendly services. The study informed that the theory of planned behavior could be applied to predict intention of youths to use youth friendly services.