Economic Determinants of Sexual Debut among In-School Adolescents in Rural Kenya ()
ABSTRACT
Most people
are driven by material gains and adolescents are no exception. We set to
determine the influence of economic factors on sexual debut among in-school adolescents through the lens of the
Marxist theory. A mixed-method design, quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, was
used. Three sets of adolescents were targeted in the study: mixed-sex day
secondary schools, girls-only boarding and boys-only boarding secondary
schools, where, a sample of 400 (200 females and 200 males) aged 14 - 18
years were drawn for purposes of a quantitative
survey. Focus group discussions (FGDs), Case Narratives and Key Informant
interviews were used to collect qualitative data. The results indicate that 61%
had ever had sex, more students (63.5%) in mixed day schools had ever had sex
compared to single sex schools (58.5%). Male students were more likely to have
ever had sex compared to female students [OR = 1.59 (95% CI 0.83, 1.85), p =
0.03]. Most of the students got spending money (89%) and
gifts (60%) from their parents. However, those receiving gifts from
boy/girlfriends had four times the odds of ever having sex (OR 4.04, 95% CI
1.36 - 11.97). Qualitative data on the other hand revealed that the need for
money for basic needs and also for pleasure played a significant role in early
sexual debut among adolescents. In conclusion, the majority of the in-school adolescents in Nyamira county had ever had sex.
Most students got sustenance from their parents, implying a high likelihood of
a pluralist environment where peer pressure, cultural norming and popular
culture on social and mainstream media also contributed to early sexual debut.
Those with money were seen to have power over another’s autonomy and a person’s
economic environment was seen to influence their decisions collaborating the
Marxist theory.
Share and Cite:
Ondieki, D. , Omia, D. , Gichuhi, W. and Otieno, C. (2021) Economic Determinants of Sexual Debut among In-School Adolescents in Rural Kenya.
Advances in Applied Sociology,
11, 231-243. doi:
10.4236/aasoci.2021.115020.