Effects of adolescent sexuality-related behaviours on Kenya Certificate of secondary examination performance In Songhor division, Tinderet district, Nandi county.

Abstract

Adolescent sexual and reproductive behavior is changing in Kenya in ways that potentially undermine the physical health, social and economic well- being of young people. The general objective of this study was to establish the effect of student adolescent sexuality-related behaviors on KCSE performance of secondary school students in Tinderet. The specific objectives of the study were to determine whether early adolescent sexuality-related behaviours affect academic performance, identify the adolescent sexuality-related behaviours and find out the factors influencing the students’ participation in sexuality-related behaviour among secondary school students in Tinderet District. This study used a descriptive survey research design and was guided by Freudian theory of psychosexual development theory (1856-1939). Stratified sampling was used to categorize schools into strata, proportionate random sampling was used to select 6 schools from a total of 39 public schools. To obtain from each category of schools for the study sample, simple random sampling was applied. All the head teachers (principal) and head of department (guidance & counseling) from the selected schools were included in this study. Purposive sampling was used to select 50 students each from forms, three and four in the schools selected. The main research tools included questionnaire, observation schedule or checklist and interview schedule. Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 19, was used to analyze data collected in which inferential and descriptive statistical techniques used were frequencies and percentages and tables. The researcher concludes that the major factors influencing the students’ participation in sexuality-related behaviour in Songhor Division, Tinderet District in Nandi County include to boost their personal ego, to adventure, due to peer influence, to quench their sexual urge, lack of guidance and counseling and need to be heroes and heroines among their peers. The major adolescent sexuality-related behaviours among secondary school students in Songhor Division, Tinderet District in Nandi County are pairing up, watching sex-related programmes, reading sex- related literature, telling sex-related stories, exchanging love notes and messages, sexual Intercourse, engaging in masturbation, dressing meant to attract the opposite sex and engaging in Transvestism (dressing in opposite sex attire). Early adolescent sexuality-related behaviours affect academic performance of secondary school students in Songhor Division, Tinderet District in Nandi County in that, students get sexually transmitted diseases, early pregnancies, contracting HIV and AIDS that lead to school dropout, poor academic performance, it affects self esteem negatively and leads to low retention rate. Based on the findings and conclusions of the study the researcher recommends that schools have a dual role in preparing adolescents for the transition to adulthood. They should not only impart skills and knowledge but should also convey social norms and values to reduce cases sexuality-related activities in schools. The study suggests that further research should be carried out to determine the role of guidance and counseling in managing adolescent sexuality-related behaviours among secondary school students.