Determinants of risky sexual behavior in adolescents: A case study of Kibera Informal Settlement

Abstract

Background: Risky behaviors related to sexual practice in adolescents have taken much of the attention worldwide. Adolescence provides a challenging development period for young people across the globe. Adolescent fertility and sexuality is a major public health issue in Kenya. Objective: The main aim of this study was to establish the factors which contribute to risky sexual behavior among adolescents. Methods: The study was carried out in Kibera informal settlement. Quantitative methods of data collection were used in the form of self-administered questionnaires in the selected households. Data was collected on socio-demographic, economic, social and cultural factors. Descriptive statistics, chi square goodness of fit test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were applied at 95% confidence intervals. Results: A total of 408 adolescents between the age of 13 years and 19 years were interviewed. There was a negative correlation (-0.334 P < 0.01) between age and respondents having ever engaged in sexual intercourse. A strong significance was found between respondents having ever engaged in sex and source of sex information from parents [0.005(.496)] and Media [0.036(2)]. There was a protective effect against indulgence in sex when parents educated the adolescents on the same. Age at sexual debut and being influenced into sex was positively associated with gender with the odds of having sex at an early age among girls being 4 times higher compared to males. Female adolescents were 3 times likely to be influenced into having sex as compared to their male counterparts. The use of drugs was strongly related to having sexual intercourse with the odds of engaging in sexual intercourse being 7.6 times higher among drug or alcohol users. Conclusions: Risky sexual behavior was strongly influenced by cultural practices and social factors like peer influence, and consumption of alcohol and/or drugs as well as age and gender. Recommendations: There is need to enhance guidance and counseling of adolescents in Kibera. Parental guidance is necessary for promoting good sexual health. Institutions of learning are well placed in continuing sex education; however, this should be introduced in early years of education. To discourage harmful cultural practices, it is necessary to have alternative rites of passage as opposed to wife inheritance and sexual cleansing. There is need for law enforcement in order to curb the use of drugs among children less than 18 years of age. Parents need to monitor closely the use of drugs among their children