Factors influencing adoption of life skills programmes among female sex workers in Kenya: a case of non governmental organizations in Naivasha sub-county, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate factors that influence adoption of life skills programs among female sex workers with a focus on Naivasha Sub County, Kenya. This study has four objectives, namely, to establish the influence of cultural stigmatization and discrimination on adoption of life skills programmes among female sex workers; to establish the influence of education levels or background on the adoption of life skills programmes among female sex workers; to assess to what extent the sex violence and exploitation has influenced on adoption of life skills among female sex workers; and to determine the influence of poverty on adoption of life skills programmes among female sex workers. The study employed descriptive research involving both quantitative and qualitative methods. The study sampled a total of 119 respondents from the target population of 237 categorized as mentors/peer educators (17), reformed female sex workers (46) and current sex workers (56). The sample size of the study was arrived at using stratified random sampling and equal allocation method. The researcher collected primary data with the help of both open ended and closed ended questionnaires. The researcher conducted pilot testing of the data collection instrument by administering the questionnaire to the three respondent categories and established validity by seeking the opinion of experts in the field and also that one of lecturers in the university. Quantitative data collected was analyzed using percentages and mean and presented in tables. The study findings indicated that 100% of the female sex workers have experienced stigma and discrimination in their work, 87% go through sexual violence and abuse, 60% of female sex workers lack of proper education and training while 60% of female sex workers are driven into sex work by poverty. The study established that female sex workers lack adequate life skills, outreach and support, lack adequate mentorship, and lack enough information and education leading to a positive attitude towards life skills programmes and acceptance to help transform lives. The study recommends more information needs to get to the female sex workers on how to be safe and stay healthy, more training on short courses or vocational courses, more community and authority outreach and support and more need for mentorship of life skills to help the transition from sex work initiative and also there is need to have a well-developed life skill program for sex workers with a clear and sustainable structure.