Assessment of factors associated with reproductive health seeking behaviours among adolescent mothers in Dodoma region

Background Adolescent pregnancy poses a significant public health concern due to its association with high levels of maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly in sub-Saharan countries. For early detection and management of obstetric danger signs, appropriate health seeking behaviour on reproductive health among adolescent mother is highly recommended so as to decrease maternal mortality and morbidity related to pregnancy. This study aims to assess the factors influencing reproductive health-seeking behaviours among adolescent pregnant mothers in Dodoma region. Methods A community cross-sectional analytical study will be conducted, involving multistage sampling to recruit 604 adolescent pregnant mothers. Face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires will be utilized to assess predisposing, enabling, and need factors, as well as knowledge and attitudes regarding obstetric danger signs. Data analysis will be performed using SPSS software version 25. Descriptive statistics will be used to analyse background information, while inferential statistics, including chi-square and logistic regression, will determine associations between variables. Results This study will display the trend in utilization of reproductive health as well as predisposing, need and enabling factor associated with health seeking behaviour. A statistically significant variable in the final model will be identified with a 95% confidence interval and a p-value of < 0.05. Conclusions This study will provide a clear picture of the level of knowledge, attitude, and health-seeking behaviour which is crucial for preventing delay number one of seeking health care immediately after experiencing complications also gives a picture of the role of healthcare workers in promoting health among vulnerable populations. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement The author(s) received no specific funding for this work. ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Not Applicable The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: Ethical clearance obtained from the Ethical Review Committee of the University of Dodoma given No: MA.84/261/02/A/72/79, 03/04/2024. Also, permission to conduct the study obtained from relevant authorities which are the President Office Regional and Local Government Authorities (PO-RALAG), Ethical clearance later with a reference later NO: AB 307/323/01 08/04/2024. Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS) office issued ethical clearance with a later NO: HA 107/249/012/109 to conduct this study in Dodoma region. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Not Applicable I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Not Applicable I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Not Applicable No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study. All relevant data from this study will be made available upon study completion.