Abstract:
The main purpose of the study was to assess the sexual
and reproductive health needs of young people in Jimma College
of Teachers’ Education. The study employed qualitative case
study method. Young people, teachers, health and counseling
professionals in the college were the main sources of data.
Stratified and purposive samplings were used. Focus group
discussion and in depth interview were the main tools of data
collection. The data were analyzed thematically using verbatim
quotes. The study indicated that many participants had lack of
awareness about health needs during different developmental
stages. Besides, they had inadequate information about sexuality
and relationships behaviors before they taste it practically in their
life. There had been also a lack of openness in communication
among sexual partners about the knowledge of and attitudes to
contraceptives and sexually transmitted infection. Further, the
sexual and reproductive health services in the college were
inadequate. Thus, pregnancy among unmarried females,
increasing incidence of abortion and sexually transmitted disease
s were common among young people in the college. In
conclusion, many young people in the college had been
vulnerable because of the lack of knowledge, skills and
attitudinal challenges to avoid SRH risky behaviors, mainly
females. The prevalence of sexual activity at an early age,
coupled with multi sexual partners and attitudinal challenges
towards the use of contraceptives and condom had exposed many
females to the risks of sexually transmitted infections and
HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancy, unsafe and repeated abortion.
Attempts made to minimize the risks of sexual and reproductive
health in the college hardly exist. Therefore, urgent measures are
required to save the lives of most precious but vulnerable young
people life in the college. Among the major implications of the
study; inclusion of SRH education in to school curriculum,
awareness rising through sexual and reproductive health clubs,
peer-education, drama, competitions, etc., along with young
people focused workshops, discussions, meetings, and seminars
with all concerned stake-holders, strengthening the partnership
among educational institutions, governmental and nongovernmental youth-serving organizations and further detailed
researches in the area of SRH needs of young people were
suggested as helpful.
