An Investigation Into the Socio-cultural and Economic Factors That Influence Pre-marital Sexual Behavior Among Adolescents: the Case of Makadara Division, Nairobi

Abstract

Early Sexual activity in adolescent has been a standard feature in Sub-Saharan Africa as well as in other parts of the World (Gage Brandon and Meekers 1993). Complementary reports from various parts of the World reveal that the number of sexually active young people is clearly substantial and probably rapidly growing. Many girls and boys in and out of School enter consensual unions at an early age and are exposed to sexual relations before they are physically and emotionally mature (Hawkins and Meshesha 1994). Gage Brandon and Meekers (1993) in their analysis of seven selected countries in Sub-Saharan Africa found that almost 50 percent of the women aged 15 - 19 years were sexually active. A similar study by Njau (1993) in Kenya revealed that over 80 percent of teenage boys had sexual experience and with more than one partner. Figures from other developing countries for example, Latin America report that by age 19, more than 90 percent of the males have had intercourse, as have 45 - 60 percent of females (Wulf and Singh 1990). Few data exist on young peoples' sexual behavior in Asia, but according to United Nations (1989) about 25 percent of single adolescents may be sexually active, and many, especially girls in South Asia marry very young