Knowledge Level on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Among Youths With Disability in Selected Centres of Kisii County, Kenya

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Date
2022
Authors
Obaga, Christine Kwamboka
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Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Youth with disability often face obstacles and challenges in regards to exploring and exploiting their potential as sexual beings. This in turn deprives them of their human rights comprising of their sexual and reproductive health rights and may internalize various sexual assumptions and attitudes regarding their sexuality. The intent of this study was therefore to assess the level of knowledge on sexual and reproductive health rights among youths living with disability in selected disability centres in Kisii County, Kenya. The study specifically focused on socio-demographics, awareness and health system characteristics associated with level of knowledge on reproductive health rights. The study embraced a cross-section descriptive study design employing both the quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. The study aimed at a representation of 130 respondents who were randomly extracted from the study population using folded pieces of paper. The respondents selected were proportional to the number of youths with disability in Gianchere Special School, Kisii Special School and Association for the Physically Disabled in Kenya, Kisii branch. All necessary ethical and logistical considerations were sought from relevant authorities before the study was conducted. Quantitative data was gathered using structured questionnaires given to respondents through well trained research assistants. Qualitative data was collected using key informant schedules and focused group discussion guides. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22.0 was used in analyzing quantitative data. Descriptive statistics were used to present quantitative data in form of frequency tables, percentages, pie charts, and bar graphs. Qualitative data from focused group discussion sessions and key informants were triangulated with quantitative data as direct quotes or narrations from respondents. Inferential statistics were computed using Chi Square tests to establish the association between study variables at 95% confidence interval (p<0.05). The results revealed that 55.9% of respondents had low knowledge level towards reproductive health rights. It was revealed that 59.1% of youths living with disability in Kisii County were conscious of their sexual and reproductive health rights. Awareness (p=0.012) and number of reproductive health rights mentioned (p=0.018) were significantly associated with level of knowledge on sexual and reproductive health rights. Majority of socio-demographic factors such as marital status (p=0.001), degree of disability (p=0.001), having children (p=0.001), type of education involved in (p=0.030), breadwinner (p=0.001) and breadwinners’ occupation (p=0.001) were significantly associated with level of knowledge on reproductive health rights. Majority of health system factors such as attitude of healthcare providers (p=0.001), provision of information (p=0.012), unfriendly physical infrastructure (p=0.001), disability being a hindrance and ever utilized sexual and reproductive health services (p=0.019) were significantly associated with level of knowledge on reproductive health rights. The study concluded that majority of socio-demographic factors significantly influenced knowledge level, that there was low knowledge level on sexual and reproductive health rights in the disability centers, this was despite there being high level of awareness and finally that most of the health system factors significantly influenced the level of knowledge on sexual and reproductive health rights. These findings would inform policy on reproductive health issues thus increase knowledge and awareness levels consequently improving the rates of utilizing reproductive health services among youths with disability. This provides room for adoption of appropriate strategies to ensure sexual and reproductive health rights among youths with impairment are protected.
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Public Health (Reproductive Health) in the School of Public Health and Applied Human Sciences of Kenyatta University
Keywords
Knowledge Level, Sexual, Reproductive, Health Rights, Youths, Disability, Selected Centres, Kisii County, Kenya
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