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Sexual and reproductive health knowledge and behaviour of adolescent boys and girls aged 10–19 years in western Kenya: evidence from a cross-sectional pilot survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 July 2021

Monica Magadi Open the ORCID record for Monica Magadi [Opens in a new window] ,
Dan Kaseje ,
Charles Wafula ,
Margaret Kaseje ,
Pennina Ochola-Odhiambo ,
Salmon Ogutu-Owii ,
Bev Orton ,
Franklin Onukwugha ,
Mark Hayter  and
Lesley Smith
Monica Magadi*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Arts, Cultures and Education, University of Hull, UK
Dan Kaseje
Affiliation:
Tropical Institute of Community Health and Development for Africa (TICH), Kenya
Charles Wafula
Affiliation:
Tropical Institute of Community Health and Development for Africa (TICH), Kenya
Margaret Kaseje
Affiliation:
Tropical Institute of Community Health and Development for Africa (TICH), Kenya
Pennina Ochola-Odhiambo
Affiliation:
Tropical Institute of Community Health and Development for Africa (TICH), Kenya
Salmon Ogutu-Owii
Affiliation:
Tropical Institute of Community Health and Development for Africa (TICH), Kenya
Bev Orton
Affiliation:
Faculty of Arts, Cultures and Education, University of Hull, UK
Franklin Onukwugha
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, UK
Mark Hayter
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, UK
Lesley Smith
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, UK
*
*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

This paper reports findings of a pilot survey of adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) knowledge and behaviour in Homabay County of western Kenya. The study was based on a cross-sectional survey of 523 male and female adolescents aged 10–19 years from 32 Community Health Units (CHUs). Bivariate analysis of gender differences and associations between ASRH knowledge and behaviour was followed with two-level logistic regression analysis of predictors of ASRH behaviour (sexual activity, unprotected sex, HIV testing), taking individual adolescents as level-1 and CHUs as level-2. The findings reveal important gender differences in ASRH knowledge and behaviour. While male adolescents reported higher sexual activity (ever had sex, unprotected last sex), female adolescents reported higher HIV testing. Despite having lower HIV/AIDS knowledge, female adolescents were more likely to translate their SRH knowledge into appropriate behaviour. Education emerged as an important predictor of ASRH behaviour. Out-of-school adolescents had significantly higher odds of having ever had sex (aOR=3.3) or unprotected last sex (aOR=3.2) than their in-school counterparts of the same age, gender and ASRH knowledge, while those with at least secondary education had lower odds of unprotected sex (aOR=0.52) and higher odds of HIV testing (aOR=5.49) than their counterparts of the same age, gender and SRH knowledge who had primary education or lower. However, being out of school was associated with higher HIV testing (aOR=2.3); and there was no evidence of significant differences between younger (aged 10–14) and older (aged 15–19) adolescents in SRH knowledge and behaviour. Besides individual-level predictors, there were significant community variations in ASRH knowledge and behaviour, with relatively more-deprived CHUs being associated with poorer indicators. The overall findings have important policy/programme implications. There is a need for a comprehensive approach that engages schools, health providers, peers, parents/adults and the wider community in developing age-appropriate ASRH interventions for both in-school and out-of-school adolescents in western Kenya.

Keywords

Adolescent sexual and reproductive healthKnowledge and behaviourGender differences
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 54 , Issue 5 , September 2022 , pp. 792 - 811
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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