THE MODERATING EFFECTS OF PERSONAL FACTORS ON HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIOURS AND UTILISATION OF SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN BUSOGA REGION, UGANDA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

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Background Adolescents in Uganda face substantial barriers to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service utilization, influenced by both individual and structural factors. This study assessed how personal characteristics, specifically age, employment status, and travel time, moderate the relationship between health-seeking behaviors and SRH service use in the Busoga region. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 among 408 adolescents aged 13–19 years using structured questionnaires. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was applied to examine associations and moderation effects. Results Positive health-seeking attitudes predicted adolescents’ intentions to use SRH services (β = 2.310, p < 0.001), while age (β = -0.090, p = 0.002) and employment (β = -0.453, p = 0.002) negatively moderated this relationship. Travel time reduced service use (β = -0.272, p < 0.001), but service preferences helped offset this effect (β = 0.093, p < 0.001). Media exposure, particularly through radio, positively moderated the relationship between attitudes and current SRH utilization (β = 0.072, p < 0.001). Conclusions Positive health-seeking attitudes significantly predicted adolescents’ intentions to use SRH services. However, this effect was weakened by older age and employment. While longer travel time reduced service utilization, strong service preferences helped offset this barrier. Recommendations To improve SRH service utilization among adolescents in Uganda’s Busoga region, programs should be more adolescent-responsive. Key actions include: training providers in adolescent-friendly care, expanding mobile and community outreach, utilizing trusted media such as radio to promote positive attitudes, and tailoring interventions to meet the specific needs of subgroups, including working, rural, and older adolescents.

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