Determinants of Students’ Uptake of Reproductive Health Services Targeting High Risk Sexual Behavior in Kenyatta University, Nairobi County, Kenya

High risk sexual behavior and its consequences among university students’ continues to be a serious concern for learning institutions, parents, researchers and policy makers. This concern has been marked by the increased number of reproductive health interventions worldwide aimed at ensuring young adults have access to reproductive health information and services. In Kenya, a number of Universities have developed policies and set up programs to curb student high risk sexual behavior. However, this has not resulted in a decrease in high risk sexual behavior among students. In addition there is paucity of literature on studies assessing students’ uptake of reproductive health interventions in Kenyan universities. The purpose of the study was to assess students’ knowledge, attitude and practices relating to uptake of reproductive health services in Kenyatta University. The objectives of the study were to; establish students awareness of existing programs and services that address reproductive health issues at Kenyatta University; to determine influence of social demographic characteristics on students uptake of available reproductive health services; to determine students knowledge on high risk sexual behavior and in relation to their uptake of reproductive health services; to determine students attitude affecting their uptake of reproductive health services; to identify students high risk sexual behavior practices that influence uptake of reproductive health services and analyze relationships between students sociodemographic factors, knowledge, attitude and practices influencing uptake of reproductive health services. The study was guided by the Health belief model. The study employed a cross sectional survey research design. The sample size was comprised of 178 students who were selected using random sampling. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire for students’ and interview guide for the key informants. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis while quantitative data was analyzed by use of SPSS using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Research findings showed that 44.4% of the students’ had utilized the available reproductive health services in Kenyatta University. Chi square results revealed significant relationships between uptake of reproductive health services and students attitude to abstinence till marriage (p=0.014), attitude in condom use (p=0.005), maintenance of confidentiality (p=0.001), friendly service providers (p=0.000) students engagement in inconsistent condom use (p=0.012), multiple sexual partners (p=0.028) Sex under influence of alcohol (p=0.002) and sex for favor (p=0.022). The study concluded that students’ engagement in high risk sexual behavior and their attitude towards service provision influenced uptake of reproductive health services whereas students’ social demographic characteristics and their awareness of high risk sexual behavior practices did not influence uptake of reproductive health services. The study recommends reengineering of the way students are sensitized of about reproductive health services. Such strategies would include: use of social networks, increasing number of student peer counselors and provision of information on available reproductive health services during students’ admission. It is envisaged that these strategies will increase students’ awareness and uptake of reproductive health services.