Sexual risk-taking behaviours among youth in secondary schools in Bondo district, Kenya

Abstract

Sexual intercourse is the highest mode of HIV/AIDS transmission among youth who become sexually active as early as at 13 years. There is a concern that vulnerability to sexual risk-taking behavior varies across groups of youth. This study examined the sexual risk-taking behaviors of youth across age, gender and orphanhood. The study was carried out using cross sectional research design among 365 students. A total of 8 teachers were also interviewed on sexual risk-taking behaviors of the students. Results indicated that premarital, multiple sexual intercourse were the most common, followed by unprotected sexual intercourse while the least engaged in was sexual intercourse for gifts. Males engaged in sexual intercourse at an earlier age and were more likely to be involved in sexual risk-taking behaviors compared to females. Orphans that had early sexual debut were more likely to be involved in sexual risk-taking behaviors compared to non-orphans. Students aged≤ 16 years were more likely to indulge in sexual risk-taking behavior compared to their older peers. Conclusion drawn from the study was that youth in secondary school engage in sexual risk-taking behaviors. The study calls for modification of the current intervention strategies aimed at reducing the high sexual risk-taking behaviors among youths by not only educating them about dangers of early sexual debut but also availing male and female condoms to sexually active youth.