Analysis of age at first sex among female adolescents and young women in Kenya

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to-establish the determinants of age at first sex among female adolescents in Kenya. Specifically, it sought to identify the effects of socio- cultural and socio-economic factors on the timing of age at first sex. To achieve the above objectives, data drawn from the 2003 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey was used. Cross tabulations and linear regression analyses were used as the main tools of data analysis in this study. The conceptual framework used by Twa-Twa (1994) guided this study. The dependent variable of the study was age at first sex, while the independent variables included: the type of place of residence, region of residence, religion, level of education, current age of adolescent, marital status, work status, childhood place of residence and wealth index. Results obtained indicate that the mean age at first sex for female adolescents in Kenya is 16.2 years with a standard deviation of 2.4. The minimum age at first sexual intercourse was eight years, while the maximum age at first sex was 24 years. The results of the cross tabulations indicate

that the type of place of residence, adolescent of education, marital status, current age of respondent, and wealth index had significant association with age at first sex. Findings from multivariate analyses indicate that the sociocultural factors ~ affecting age at first sex were religion, and marital status. As regards socioeconomic factors influencing age at first sex, the study established that adolescent's level of education, type of place of residence, and wealth index influenced age at first sex. Cohort analysis indicated that determinants of age at first sex for adolescents aged 15-19 years are different from determinants of age at first sex for adolescents aged 20-24 years save for level of education. -- In view of these findings, the agencies involved in family life education programs, for instance, the Family Planning Association of Kenya (FPAK) should begin offering these services when adolescents are at least eight years old. This will help in ameliorating the social and economic costs of early sexual activity among adolescents such as: premarital child bearing, abortion, and potential risks of HIV/ AIDS infection, just to mention a few.