The impact of the beat music programme on sexual behaviour among adolescents in Kikuyu Sub-county

Abstract

study sought to find out the extent that the Beat music programme impact on sexual behaviour among adolescents. More specifically, the study sought to achieve the following objectives; to find out the extent to which adolescents in Kikuyu Sub-county watch the Beat programme; to investigate the extent to which the Beat programme impacts on sexual feelings among adolescents in Kikuyu Sub-county; to investigate other factors that have an impact on adolescents‟ sexual behaviour among adolescents in Kikuyu Sub-county. The study was guided by two theories namely: Social Learning theory and Cultivation theory. The study relied on a mixed method approach with both qualitative and quantitative data. The research employed a descriptive research design. The target population was adolescents aged 15-19 years. A sample size of 380 respondents was used. The qualitative data was collected using Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews. The respondents for quantitative data were selected using simple random sampling technique. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics and results presented in tables, charts and graphs. Qualitative data derived from focus group discussions was analysed in relation to the research objectives and trends established. The findings of the study indicated that 90 per cent of respondents watched the Beat music programme and it had an impact on their sexual behaviour and attitudes towards sex. However, other factors such as lifestyle, social media, age, urbanisation and peer pressure influenced their sexual behaviour. Peer pressure had the highest percentage in terms of the level of impact. The study concluded that the Beat music programme does have an impact on sexual behaviour among adolescents in Kikuyu Sub-county. This study recommends that adolescents be taught how to decipher information that they are exposed to on secular music programmes. This will ensure that they get the message the media intends to pass across effectively to avoid negative impact on their sexual behaviour.