Influence of youth centre activities on risky sexual behaviour change, a case study of tuungane youth centre, Kisumu county, Kenya

Abstract

Risk y sexual behaviour is behaviour that increases ones risk of contr acting sex ually transmitted infections or experienc ing unintended pregnancies. These include s having sex at an early age, having multiple sexual partners, having sex while under the influence of alcohol and or drugs and un protected sexual behaviour. Yout h risky sexual behaviour is one of the cataly sts of the rising HIV, other STI and unintended pregnancies. Youth centers and you th clubs are a viable cost effective way to reach out to the you th of all walks of life, both in school and out of school with th e aim of changing their risky sexual behaviour . The purpose of th e study was to assess the influence of youth centers activities on risky se xual behaviour change . The study look ed into risky sexual behaviour change among the yout h by assessing the quality of education and training, recreational activities, counseling and testing as well as outreach programs offered at Tuungane youth centre , Kisumu County . The study adopt ed a descriptive cas e study research design and target ed all the staff and youth members of Tuungane Youth Centre , and the people the youth interact with in the community i.e. at home and at school . Using a stratified random sam pling procedure, the study sample d 1 8 7 respondents. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire as well as an interview schedule , the data was reviewed and cleaned at collection point and every evening prior to entry in data b ase to minimize errors of omission and commission . Data analysis was performed with the help of SPSS and findings presented in means and pe rcentages in the form of tabl es, figures and charts . From the findings, more males (63%) than females (37%) access the youth centres, the majority of the youth are between 14 - 24 years (76%).a ll the four components are offered at the youth centre and each h as an effective value . It is recommended that all the components should be offered simultaneously and peer groups should be formed in the community for the youth leaving the centre . It was concluded that all the four components influence behaviour change, community involvement in outreach programmes is important to the youth and youth centres are a viable tool for influencing risky sexual behaviour change in the youth.