Psychosocial influences on adolescent sexuality and identity in rural Kenya.

ABSTRACT

This article examines the influence of psychosocial factors on adolescent sexuality and identity in Kenya. It focuses on male circumcision, peer and parental relationships. The article is based on a study which investigated factors influencing access and utilisation of preventive reproductive health services by adolescents in Murang'a District, Kenya. Structured interviews were conducted with 113 in-school adolescents. Findings show that they lacked understanding about circumcision and maturation on physical changes they experienced. They yielded to negative peer pressure because of myths and threats following circumcision, fear of alienation, feeling like outcasts, and desire for acceptance. Despite this, adolescents were reluctant to share their sexual health concerns with their parents because of fear of parents' suspicion.

KEY WORDS

sociology, adolescent sexuality, psychosocial concerns, circumcision, identity, Kenya

Adolescent reproductive health and sexuality in Kenya

Kenya's population is predominantly young with 60% being less than 20 years old. Adolescents aged 10-19 years make up about 5.5 million of the population. Adolescent sexuality and reproductive health issues have gained increased attention in Kenya, especially after the government declared HIV/ AIDS a national disaster in 1999 (NACC 2005). Recently, the government approved an Adolescent Reproductive Health and Development Policy (ROK 2003) to address adolescents' reproductive health needs (UNFPA 2005). Further, in 2005 the government in partnership with organisations serving adolescents developed an Adolescent Reproductive Health and Development Policy Plan of Action (POA) aimed at enhancing adolescents' access to sexual health information and services (ROK et al. 2005).

The period of adolescence is described as the healthiest stage in the lifespan, with no major physical illnesses (WHO 1998, Green & Davey 1995). However, it is also a period of great risk taking. In Kenya, adolescents have been identified as a group that is at high risk of contracting HIV/ AIDS, STDs, and teenage pregnancy. Adolescents in Kenya, as in much of sub-Saharan Africa, engage in risky sexual behaviours but have irregular and low condom use (NASCOP 2005, Nzioka 2000). The 2003 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) found the median age of sexual debut as 17.8 years, with that of the girls being 17.2 years and of the boys 16.0 years. The data showed low HIV infections among the 15-19 age group. However, rates among girls were higher (3%) than among boys (0.5%) (CBS et al. 2003, NASCOP 2005). Research, however, suggests that although HIV infections are low among adolescents, infections become manifest in the 20s due to the 10-year incubation period (Perry 2000).