An Investigation Into the Socio-cultural and Economic Factors That Influence Pre-marital Sexual Behavior Among Adolescents: the Case of Makadara Division, Nairobi
Abstract
Early Sexual activity in adolescent has been a standard
feature in Sub-Saharan Africa as well as in other parts of the
World (Gage Brandon and Meekers 1993). Complementary reports
from various parts of the World reveal that the number of
sexually active young people is clearly substantial and
probably rapidly growing. Many girls and boys in and out of
School enter consensual unions at an early age and are exposed
to sexual relations before they are physically and emotionally
mature (Hawkins and Meshesha 1994).
Gage Brandon and Meekers (1993) in their analysis of
seven selected countries in Sub-Saharan Africa found that
almost 50 percent of the women aged 15 - 19 years were
sexually active. A similar study by Njau (1993) in Kenya
revealed that over 80 percent of teenage boys had sexual
experience and with more than one partner. Figures from other
developing countries for example, Latin America report that by
age 19, more than 90 percent of the males have had
intercourse, as have 45 - 60 percent of females (Wulf and
Singh 1990). Few data exist on young peoples' sexual behavior
in Asia, but according to United Nations (1989) about 25
percent of single adolescents may be sexually active, and
many, especially girls in South Asia marry very young
Citation
Masters of arts in anthropologyPublisher
University of Nairobi Institute of African Studies