Sexual and reproductive health knowledge and behaviour of adolescent boys and girls aged 10–19 years in western Kenya

Evidence from a cross-sectional pilot survey

Datos Bibliográficos

ID21342840
AutoresMonica Magadi (0000-0002-6901-860X, University of Hull, autor de correspondencia), Dan Kaseje (Tropical Institute Of Community Health And Development), Charles Wafula (0000-0002-4523-3903, Tropical Institute Of Community Health And Development), Margaret Kaseje (0000-0001-9789-1927, University of Hull), Pennina Ochola-Odhiambo (Tropical Institute Of Community Health And Development), Salmon Ogutu-Owii (Tropical Institute Of Community Health And Development), Bev Orton (University of Hull), Franklin Onukwugha (0000-0001-8551-442X, University of Hull), Mark Hayter (0000-0002-2537-8355, University of Hull), L A Smith (0000-0003-0708-0317, University of Hull), Lesley Smith (0000-0002-5098-8227)
Año2022
Volumen54
Número5
Páginas792-811
Fecha de publicación2022-09-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Biosocial Science (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0021-9320 • E-ISSN: 1469-7599
EditorialCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0021932021000353
PMID34315560
OpenAlexW3183376067
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias citadas37

This paper reports findings of a pilot survey of adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) knowledge and behaviour in Homabay County of western Kenya. The study was based on a cross-sectional survey of 523 male and female adolescents aged 10–19 years from 32 Community Health Units (CHUs). Bivariate analysis of gender differences and associations between ASRH knowledge and behaviour was followed with two-level logistic regression analysis of predictors of ASRH behaviour (sexual activity, unprotected sex, HIV testing), taking individual adolescents as level-1 and CHUs as level-2. The findings reveal important gender differences in ASRH knowledge and behaviour. While male adolescents reported higher sexual activity (ever had sex, unprotected last sex), female adolescents reported higher HIV testing. Despite having lower HIV/AIDS knowledge, female adolescents were more likely to translate their SRH knowledge into appropriate behaviour. Education emerged as an important predictor of ASRH behaviour. Out-of-school adolescents had significantly higher odds of having ever had sex (aOR=3.3) or unprotected last sex (aOR=3.2) than their in-school counterparts of the same age, gender and ASRH knowledge, while those with at least secondary education had lower odds of unprotected sex (aOR=0.52) and higher odds of HIV testing (aOR=5.49) than their counterparts of the same age, gender and SRH knowledge who had primary education or lower. However, being out of school was associated with higher HIV testing (aOR=2.3); and there was no evidence of significant differences between younger (aged 10–14) and older (aged 15–19) adolescents in SRH knowledge and behaviour. Besides individual-level predictors, there were significant community variations in ASRH knowledge and behaviour, with relatively more-deprived CHUs being associated with poorer indicators. The overall findings have important policy/programme implications. There is a need for a comprehensive approach that engages schools, health providers, peers, parents/adults and the wider community in developing age-appropriate ASRH interventions for both in-school and out-of-school adolescents in western Kenya

Adolescent health · Cross-sectional study · Environmental health · Logistic regression · Odds · Odds ratio · Population · Reproductive health · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demography · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Gerontology