| dc.description.abstract | In Kenya, as elsewhere in Africa, schools play a key role in imparting important
information on reproductive health and human relations to students. The last decade
has been characterized by early and increased premarital sexual activities among the
students. To address the challenge, stakeholders have agitated for introduction of
school-based life skills education as a key strategy in promoting safe sexual behaviour
among students. The current study assessed the influence of school-based life skills
education on students‟ sexual behaviour in secondary schools in Kenya. The study
used Ex post facto and descriptive survey research designs. The target population was
20,227 Form Three students in Nairobi and Busia Counties. The two counties were
chosen as they have a high number of students engaging in sexual activities.
Accessible population was 3568 Form Three students in the seven districts. Multi stage, probability proportionate to size, purposive, stratified and simple random
sampling was used to select the participants. The study sample comprised of 378
students, 21 teachers, 21 school principals and 7 education officials. Data was
collected using questionnaires and an interview schedule. Validity of instruments was
checked through expert opinion and reliability tested using Spearman Brown
Prophecy formula after a pilot study. Data collected was analyzed using both
descriptive and inferential statistics with assistance of computer statistical package for
social sciences (SPSS). The results showed that there was a strong relationship
between life skills education and students‟ sexual behaviour. Students who had high
levels of awareness abstained from sexual activities. Analysis showed that both male
and female students were sexually active at the time of the study. Statistical
differences were not found between rural and urban females sexual behaviour;
however, rural males had more sexual risk behaviour than their urban counterparts.
Majority had moderate level of awareness. Students demonstrated positive perception
of LSE. The findings also show that although LSE is being partially implemented, it
faces a number of challenges. There is therefore a pressing need to avail LSE in all
schools and strengthening of commitment and policy action on part of government to
ensure the programme is implemented in all schools. The findings of the study
hopefully will assist all stakeholders who include the Ministry of Education to
evaluate and reinforce its programmes on life skills Education in schools to meet its
objectives. | en_US |
