Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Purpose
The objectives of this study were to
characterise the sexual health of street-connected
adolescents in Eldoret, Kenya, analyse gender disparity of
risks, estimate the prevalence of sexually transmitted
infections (STIs), and identify factors associated with STIs.
Methods
A cross-sectional study of street-connected
adolescents ages 12
–
21 years was conducted in Eldoret,
Kenya. Participants were interviewed and screened for
Chlamydia trachomatis
,
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
,
Trichomonas vaginalis
, herpes simplex virus-2, syphilis
and HIV. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were
used to identify factors associated with having any STI.
Results
Of the 200 participants, 81 (41%) were female.
70.4% of females and 60.5% of males reported sexual
activity. Of those that participated in at least one STI test,
28% (55/194) had
≥
1 positive test, including 56% of
females; 14% (28/194) had >1 positive test. Twelve
females and zero males (6% overall, 14.8% of females)
were HIV positive. Among females, those with HIV
infection more frequently reported transactional sex
(66.7% vs 26.1%, p=0.01), drug use (91.7% vs 56.5%,
p=0.02), and reported a prior STI (50.0% vs 14.7%,
p<0.01). Having an adult caregiver was less likely among
those with HIV infection (33.3% vs 71.0%, p=0.04).
Transactional sex (AOR 3.02, 95% CI (1.05 to 8.73)), a
previous STI (AOR 3.46 95% CI (1.05 to 11.46)) and
≥
2
sexual partners (AOR 5.62 95% (1.67 to 18.87)) were
associated with having any STI.
Conclusions
Street-connected adolescents in Eldoret,
Kenya are engaged in high-risk sexual behaviours and
females in particular have a substantial burden of STIs
and HIV. There is a need for STI interventions targeted to
street-connected youth.