Evaluating knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding STIs and family planning among girl adolescents after a comprehensive educational curriculum in Laikipia Plateau, Kenya

Introduction: Kenya has high rates of STIs and unplanned pregnancy, without adequate sex education in schools. We evaluated knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of adolescents regarding ST/HIV and family planning in Laikipia Plateau, Kenya. Methods: During summer of 2011, participants from a girl boarding school received KAP surveys before and after enrollment in a sexual health curriculum with didactic sessions and audio-visual aids, educational games, and open discussions. Curriculum covered STI transmission and prevention, HIV/AIDS, family planning, and peer-to-peer education strategies. Results: Multiple educational sessions were held weekly over six weeks. Thirty-eight students completed pre- and post-test surveys. Half were 13 to 16 years old. Pre test questionnaires revealed a lack of knowledge about types of STDs and its consequences, specifically Chlamydia, but an adequate knowledge of basic pregnancy prevention including abstinence and condom use. Majority reported feeling comfortable negotiating condom use during intercourse. We observed improvement in the following; knowledge about causes of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (45% to 89%); feeling that HIV persons deserve their disease (25% to 15%); knowledge about HIV transmission to child during pregnancy (51% to 62%) and through breastfeeding (71% to 84%); and misconceptions about ways that a woman could get pregnant. Conclusions: Despite some basic knowledge and attitude on STD prevention and family planning, major misconceptions and gaps in attitudes and practices still exist. Comprehensive educational curriculum especially educational games and open discussion forum were well-received. Students were enthusiastic to conduct peer led classes in their communities despite the stigma associated with these topics.