Influence of the catholic doctrine of abstinence on the sexual behaviour of secondary school students in Trans-Nzoia west sub County Kenya

Abstract

Kenya lacks an agreeable framework for effective implementation of sex education, even as in-school adolescents increasingly face premarital sexual risks like sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortion, and death. The doctrine of abstinence as taught by the Roman Catholic Church represents one of the approaches to sex education, though a subject of controversy especially on areas of contraceptives, safe sex, and reproductive health. It is in this background that this study was conducted to better understand the Catholic doctrine of abstinence and its role in promoting responsible sexual behaviour among the in-school adolescents. Specific objectives of the study were: i) to analyse the Catholic teaching on abstinence, ii) to assess the students’ awareness of the Catholic doctrine of abstinence, iii) to explore students’ sexual experiences indicative of either adherence or non-adherence to the Catholic doctrine of abstinence and iv) to describe the influence of the Catholic doctrine of abstinence on the sexual behaviour of the unmarried students in the selected secondary schools. The study targeted Catholic students (members of the Young Christian Students, YCS), YCS patrons and chaplains of Trans-Nzoia sub County within the larger Catholic Diocese of Kitale. The information was obtained from 187 respondents through self administered questionnaires, in-depth oral interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Most of the information was obtained from the 180 students who filled self administered questionnaires and participated in the three FGDs. The rest of the information was obtained 5 YCS patrons and 2 YCS chaplains (Catholic priests) through in-depth oral interviews. The questionnaire information was analyzed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) while the qualitative information was organized, transcribed and analyzed by the researcher. The study found out that a significant number of the students were aware of the catholic doctrine of abstinence and their decisions in relation to sexual activities were influenced by adherence or non adherence to the doctrine of abstinence. About 54 % of the students were abstaining from sex, while 46 % were sexually active. It was noted that some of the students were sexually active, despite their knowledge and awareness of the doctrine. About 5% had engaged in sex one week preceding the study, approximately 9.4% had had sex a month before the study while 31.1% had engaged in sex at least one year preceding the study. The study concluded that adherence to the doctrine of abstinence influenced the sexual behaviour of the students but a significant number cited challenges of following some of the precepts of the doctrine. Some of the factors that contribute to these challenges include peer influence, poverty, globalization and media. There is need to improve on intervention measures like guidance and counselling by teachers, peer counselling, and the Abstinence and Behaviour Change among the Youth (ABY) programme already introduced by the Catholic diocese of Kitale. Improving on these interventions will help in promoting the values of abstinence and protect the students who may be sexually active.