Knowledge, attitude and practices concerning sexual behaviour in adolescents in standard seven and eight in Dagoretti district

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is the transition period between childhood and adulthood. It is in this transitional period from childhood to adulthood that various health-related behaviours are adopted. One of the behaviours that has proven fatal for adolescents is risky sexual behaviour which first develops in puberty. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning sexual behaviour in adolescents in class 7 and 8 in primary schools in Dagoretti district. It was also a secondary purpose of this study to determine the knowledge of teachers and caregivers concerning sexual behaviour in early adolescents and the factors associated with knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning sexual behaviour e.g. family structure, parental education, religion. JUSTIFICATION: . There is a scarcity of knowledge , attitudes and practices concerning sexual behaviour in early adolescence. The information from this study will be used to develop educational interventions curbing risky sexual behaviour. RESEARCH DESIGN: This was a primary school based descriptive cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: This study included 397 students in standard 7 and 8, whose ages ranged from 13 to 17 years, who were enrolled in the four primary schools in Dagoretti district that had been randomly selected. It also included the standard 7 and 8 teachers from these four schools and caregivers with students in these classes. METHODS: A self administered questionnaire was used for the evaluation of sociodemographic data, knowledge and attitudes of the students in standard 7 and 8 concerning sexual behaviour. The teachers and caregivers of the students in standard 7 and 8 participated in focus group discussions. These were conducted to determine their knowledge concerning sexual behaviour in the adolescents under their care. RESULTS: Knowledge concerning sexual behaviour was gauged using a possible outcome of sexual behaviour which was HIV/AIDS. Sixty six percent of the students in standard 7 and 8 had good knowledge concerning HIV/AIDS infection and transmission. School teachers and mothers were identified to be an important source of information for the males and females that participated in this study. Attitudes concerning sexual behaviour were gauged by their views concerning relationships with the opposite sex as well as their attitudes on gender roles. 77% of males and 82% of females had appropriate responses to relationships with the opposite sex, seventy three percent of the males and seventy eight of the female participants had appropriate responses concerning gender roles. In the focus group discussions, teachers noted higher incidences of sexual behaviour in adolescents and at a younger age than caregivers did. It was also noted that socio economic status and environment of the family impacted on exposure to sexual behaviour e.g families living in single rooms. CONCLUSION: Over 70% of the students in standard 7 and 8 in Dagoretti district have a good knowledge base concerning sexual behaviour as well as appropriate responses concerning their attitudes towards gender roles and relationships with the opposite sex. The knowledge and attitudes can be improved on by supporting the role of school teachers and mothers in the lives of these students while in primary school and should be supported even after the completion of primary school.....