A survey of methods used by Christian religious education teachers to communicate responsible sexual behaviour in secondary schools in Kenya

Abstract

Despite the Kenya Institute of Education having introduced and infused HIV/AIDS education programme in the school curriculum. Reports on teenage pregnancies and high drop-out rates from schools show that the youth stand a higher chance of getting infected with HIV since sex has been identified as the leading means of HIV /AIDS transmission. Reducing the rate of infection among the youth through behaviour change methodologies would lead to a substantial slow-down of the epidemic even among married couples in the next decade. The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of methods used by Christian Religious Education teachers to communicate Responsible Sexual Behaviour to students in secondary schools to help curb the spread of HIV /AIDS. The objectives of the study was to establish the methods used by CRE teachers, find out whether the age, sex, culture, religious background of the respondents and teacher preparedness in terms of training/in-service affect methods of communicating RSB to students in schools, whether use of modem technology like computer/internet and mobile phones (lCT) affect the sexual behaviour of students in schools and find out the students' understanding of responsible sexual behaviour in secondary schools. This study was conducted in selected secondary schools within Eldoret Municipality, Rift Valley Province, Kenya. T he theoretical framework was guided by the principles of participatory communication methodologies Freire (1970). The study adopted a pragmatic philosophical world view, which opens the door to multiple methods. The study adopted mixed method approach that combines or associates both qualitative and quantitative forms. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. Simple random, purposive and stratified sampling techniques were used to select the schools, students and CRE teachers who participated in the study. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and an observation checklist. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Inferential statistics was used to test the effect and influence of independent variables on the dependent variables. There was a significant positive relationship between the methods used by CRE teachers in communication and sexual behaviour of students in schools at 1% level of significance. Training of teachers in methods of communicating Responsible Sexual Behaviour to students in order to equip them with appropriate behaviour could help them remain HIV free. Adoption of safer sex and the practise of total abstinence were noted as urgent and important. The teachers' qual ifications, teaching experience and in-servicing/training had a significant effect on the methods of communicating RSB to students while sex, age and culture of the teacher had none. There was a significant relationship between use of modern technologies by students and methods of communication in schools. HIV/AIDS was found to still be a threat to the youth in schools. Responsible sexual behaviour could be attained through methods of the relevant subject through training/in-servicing teachers for effective usage. Since students tend to spend more time on computers in accessing sex information using ICT gadgets available to them, there was need to take teachers through training in the use of new technologies to enable them monitor and guide learners on its better usage. As such, this study recommended that schools should embrace the new technology and post information on the internet that sensitizes students on the need for responsible sexual behaviour.