| dc.description.abstract | This is a pioneer study on heal th behaviour and awareness
among the adolescents in Kenya. It is a case study of Kilome
Division in Machakos District. Adolescents in this study are
defined as young persons aged between 13 and 19 years (13 and 19
inclusive). The study focuses mainly on the existing health
supportive facilities within the the adolescents' social and
physical environment, their understanding (awareness) and
practices on health and health related issues.
The study (thesis) is presented in six chapters. These
include: Problem statement and Justification, Literature review,
Methodology, Data presentation and analysis hypothesis 1, Data
presentation and analysis hypothesis 2 and conclusion and
recommendation. There are appendices as well which include
Bibliography, references and questionnaire.
This thesis studied sample of N = 317 adolescents. The
primary purpose of the study was to assess the target
population's level of health behaviour and awareness and the
factors affecting such behaviour and awareness. In pursui t of
this goal, two hypotheses were postulated and tested. The first
hypothesis states that: the unavailability of health supportive
facilities is highly associated with low level of health
awareness and behaviour. The second hypothesis states that: the
strength of traditional attitudes is significantly related to
acceptance and adoption of modern health practices. Both
hypotheses have been tested and accepted.
The study findings suggest that the level of health
awareness and behaviour is low and whenever it appears high, the
respective respondents generally reflect a high score on the
independent variable which by implication suggest better
endowment in terms of health supportive facilities. The findings
further show that the adolescents usually seek either traditional
healing methods or modern medicine depending on the ailment, the
assumed cause and possibly the common practices in their
families. The practices manifested are closely associated with
the attitudes held | en |
