Risk factors of premarital sex and management of the outcome among adolescent youths in kadibo division, nyando sub-County-Western Kenya

The premarital sex results in unwanted pregnancies, increased risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections, abortions and deaths. A recent estimate by WHO shows that globally 60% of young women and 45% of youthful men have had sex before the age of 18years. In Kenya, premarital sex is reported among adolescents at the age of 12 to 23 years. However, the prevalence and risk factors are poorly understood in peri-urban settings. In addition, the capacity to manage the outcome has not been investigated. This study adopted descriptive cross sectional study design and established the prevalence of premarital marital sex, knowledge of risk factors and also evaluated the ability to manage outcome among 407 adolescent youths in secondary schools in Kadibo Division, Nyando Sub County western Kenya. The study shows a high sex prevalence of 50.83%. On the knowledge of the risk factors, the adolescent youths are significantly aware of the risk factors that make them engage in premarital sex. Specifically, 88.5% agreed that poor socioeconomic status as a major risk factors. The study further shows the adolescent youths do not have adequate knowledge on the management of outcomes of premarital sex with 62% admitting to using unacceptable means such as abortion, running away from home and not knowing what to do. The findings of the study show high prevalence of premarital sex and also provide some critical insights on potential risk factors that need immediate intervention. It further shows poor preparedness of adolescents to manage the outcome of premarital sex. It therefore calls for policy makers advocacy groups come up with educational and counseling programs that are geared towards empowering the adolescent youths.