Perceptions of Self as Influencers of Sexual Debut among Secondary School Students in South Western Kenya

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine perceptions of self as guided by social constructs that could lead to sexual debut among in-school adolescents in Nyamira County through the lens of the theory of reasoned action.  Mental distress is associated with an early sexual debut.

The researchers employed a mixed-methods study design that included both quantitative and qualitative data collection. The research was carried out in Nyamira County, which is located in Kenya's south west. This study enlisted 400 secondary school students between the ages of 14 and 18.

The degree of self-esteem of students in mixed-day secondary schools and single-sex secondary schools was similar. Regardless of the type of school (day or boarding) or gender of the students, no link was discovered between self-perception and ever having sex among in-school teenagers. Students mentioned that one's mental state played a factor in initiating sex in FGDs and case narratives. Esteem boosters are unlikely to curtail sexual debut among in-school adolescents in Nyamira County. To address the impact of sexual debut among in-school teenagers in the county, other factors of sexual debut must be researched.