Early sexual behaviour and its influence on school participation by pupils in primary schools in Nguutani Division, Kitui County, Kenya.
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Date
2017-11
Authors
Simon, Jacinta Wangai
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Human beings are sexual beings. They will therefore exhibit sexual behaviour at different
ages in their lives. Primary school children have been engaging in sexual behaviour, an
activity inappropriate to their age. Despite the government’s effort (through the Ministry of
Education) to integrate health education topics in the curriculum and the teaching of
Christian Religious Education (C.R.E) which deals with moral values and guidance and
counseling in schools, pupils engage into behaviour such as sexual intercourse amongst
themselves and with older persons. This study was therefore investigating what influences
pupils to engage in early sexual behaviour. The specific objectives were to determine the
extent of engagement in early sexual behaviour by primary school pupils, to establish the
factors that influence early sexual behaviour by primary school pupils, to determine how
early sexual behaviour influences school attendance by primary school pupils, dropout and
academic performance by primary school pupils and to suggest the appropriate strategies that
would check on early sexual behaviour by primary school pupils. The study was carried out
in seven public primary schools in Nguutani Division in Kitui County. These schools were
selected because they have high population compared to the others and they were therefore
expected to provide the most appropriate information. Purposive sampling was used to select
the respondents who included pupils, teachers and parents. A sample size of 175 pupils, 7
deputy head teachers, 28 assistant teachers and 14 parents were used, making a total of 224
respondents. Descriptive survey design using mainly qualitative methods was used in the
study.The study utilized interviews, questionnaires and observation schedule to collect
information. The instruments mainly collected primary data, that is, information from the
respondents. Data was analyzed thematically and presentation of results was done through
frequency distribution tables. The study established that engagement in early sexual
behaviour by primary school pupils was evident and that the behaviour is influenced by
factors such as peer pressure, poverty, mass media, bad role models and curiosity among
others. The study also established that engagement in early sexual behaviour has negative
impact in school participation. This was indicated by lateness, truancy, absenteeism and poor
academic performance which could lead to school dropout. The study recommends
introduction of sex education in primary schools for pupils to learn sexual matters from
relevant professionals. It also recommended in servicing teachers on guidance and counseling
to enable them deal with the pupils professionally. The study did recommend making all
public day primary schools boarding primary schools so as to retain pupils in schools most of
the time to minimize their engagement in early sexual behaviour over the weekends.
Description
A research project submitted to the school of education in artial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of master of education (health education) of Kenyatta University.
November, 2017