Background: Many studies in Kenya have underlined pregnancy, unsafe abortion, and high prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as some of the major reproductive health problems facing adolescents. These problems have been attributed to among other things, early initiation of sex, engagement in unprotected sex, low reproductive health knowledge, and lack of youth-friendly reproductive health services. Agencies have designed various programs aimed at improving the youth friendliness of reproductive health services, and providing information and increasing reproductive health knowledge of adolescents in and out-of-school. However, adolescent sexual encounters and relations take place in a complex social context whose confines go beyond health.
Methods and Findings: Using focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and case studies, a study was undertaken to assess the context of adolescent sexual behaviour in the specific Luhya community social-cultural context. This paper will present findings from this study and will provide information regarding why, who, when, and where adolescent boys and girls of various categories engage in sex. The paper will present findings on factors such as sexual coercion and rape, gender and age power balance, decision-making and negotiation skills, cultural definitions of manhood and womanhood, incest, peer pressure and economic needs as they relate to sexual debut and later sexual relations and partnerships. The paper will analyse the program implications of the study findings and provide recommendations on program design
Learning Objectives: Participants to this session will: 1. learn about ways of collecting sensitive information concerning adolescent sexuality in African settings; 2. gain an understanding of the key factors determining the conditions of sexual initiation in Kenya. 3. appreciate how diagnostic studies of social conditions can inform intervention design
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Reproductive Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.