Sexual behaviour among female University Students of The University of Nairobi

Abstract

Introduction: Though known to be high elsewhere, the level of sexual activity among Kenya’s University students is not known. A study was done in female students aged 18-24 years at the University of Nairobi, in October/November 2013 to find out their sexual behaviour with a view to gaining insight as to how it can be handled.

Objective: The specific objectives were to determine the rate of sexual activity, what kind of sexual partners they have and whether they engage in risky sexual behaviour.

Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, with data collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire.

Results: 443 students were recruited into the study. Majority of the students, 68.6% (303 of 442) were sexually active, while 31.45% (189 out of 442) had never engaged in sex in their lifetime. The earliest age of starting sexual activity was at 9 years, but by 20 years of age, 83.5% (245 out of 293) were sexually active. The majority of the sexual partners were aged 20-26 years, most of them single. The risky sexual behaviours the respondents engaged in were casual sex, sex while drunk, multiple sex partners, sex without contraceptive protection and sex with married polygamists.

Conclusion and Recommendations: Sexual activity among the students is high, with engagement in risky sexual behaviours. A lot more needs to be done in sex education which should start the moment they join the University, with involvement of the society in general.