Barriers to Sexual and Reproductive Health Education on Students Sexual Behaviour in Secondary Schools in Lugari District Kenya

Abstract

Over the recent years, health systems in many countries have recognized the importance of providing students with reproductive health services and education. This has been attributed to earl y initiation of students into sexual activities, which have resulted in unwanted pregnancy, early marriages, abortion, and sexual transmitted infections. Reproductive health education aimed at changing the sexual behavior of the students. This study seeks to establish barriers to sexual and reproductive health education on students’ sexual behaviour in secondary schools in Likuyani division of Lugari district, Kenya. The study utilized a Descriptive survey research design and targeted Form Two students in six selected schools in the study area. Primary data was collected using two questionnaires, one for students and another for teachers from a random sample of 241 students and 30 teachers. Secondary data was collected from documented information on adolescent reproductive health education. Data collected was analyzed using both Descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of computer statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 17. The study findings confirm that policy and programmatic gaps exist in addressing the RHE needs of students. This is attributed to, lack of clear guidelines on how to address the RHE of students, challenges of dealing with students RHE in general as well as cultural constraints. The study therefore recommended the need for, clear guidelines on dealing with RHE of students in schools; demystify the cultural beliefs and attitude towards sex and reproductive education that hinder its implementation and providing training and reorientation of RHE providers. The findings of the study will assist all stakeholders, who include Ministry of education, health and the general public in appreciating the value of reproductive health education, in changing student’s sexual behavior.