Inexperienced’? Patterns in romantic and sexual experiences among urban poor early adolescents in Nairobi, Kenya

Bibliographic Data

ID15098007
AuthorsAnna E Kågesten (0000-0003-4096-8780, Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA, corresponding author), Caroline Kabiru (0000-0002-0735-9839, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya), Caroline W Kabiru, Beatrice W Maina (0000-0001-6205-3296, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA), Danielle German (0000-0001-9604-5817, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA), Robert Wm Blum (0000-0002-7647-7636, Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA)
Year2018
Volume20
Issue12
Pages1299-1316
Publication date2018-12-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueCulture Health & Sexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-1058 • E-ISSN: 1464-5351
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13691058.2018.1432765
PMID29558253
OpenAlexW2792330433
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited28

The need for early prevention approaches to improve young people's sexual and reproductive health is gaining attention, yet little is known about the sexual experiences of early adolescents aged 10-14 years. Drawing on cross-sectional survey data collected from 365 early adolescents in a Nairobi slum, we used latent class analysis to identify subgroups based on self-reported awareness about sex and involvement in romantic and sexual activities. Multivariate regression models were fitted to examine the characteristics of each subgroup. Results revealed three subgroups: Involved (12%, high probability of being aware of sex and to have engaged in romantic/sexual activities); Observant (48%, high awareness but little own experience); and Naïve (40%, little awareness or personal experience). Being in the Involved group was associated with older age, having commenced puberty/orphanhood, and living in the least poor households. Findings suggest that while most early adolescents in this setting have not initiated romantic and sexual activities, there are distinct subgroups of who would not be captured by looking only at the prevalence of sexual intercourse. Understanding the characteristics and needs of specific subgroups may help to strengthen efforts to improve young people's sexual and reproductive health in urban poor environments

Developmental psychology · Geography · Population · Reproductive health · Romance · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demography · Gender Studies · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Psychology · Sex work and related issues