Factors Influencing Uptake of Alternative Rite of Passage Among Teenage Girls in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya
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Date
2021
Authors
Mutiria, Ben Kinyua
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
ARP is a strategy to ensure girls transit from childhood to adulthood without the harmful
effects of FGM. There has been a slow uptake of Alternative rite of passage (ARP), 200
per year on average among girls aged 12-18 years (1.4%) in a region with high
prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) 68%. The study aimed at assessing
factors influencing the uptake of ARP among girls in Tharaka Nithi County. The specific
objectives were to find out knowledge on ARP, to determine social cultural factors that
influence uptake of ARP, to determine the perception on ARP among girls in Tharaka
Nithi County. A cross sectional analytical study was carried out in Tharaka Nithi County
Kenya. The study targeted girls aged 12-18 years who were 24,458. A sample of 349 girls
was selected using proportionate sampling method. Data was collected using
questionnaire and key informant interviews that yielded both qualitative and quantitative
data. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 and presented in pie charts, bar graphs
and tables. Chi square was used to establish relationship between variables and a P value
of 0.05 was considered significant. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to establish
the strength of the linear relationship between the variables under study. The study
showed that most girls had not undergone any rite of passage 309(88.5%) of those that
had undergone a rite of passage 65% had undergone FGM. The study found out majority
of the girls would want to undergo ARP 265 (75.9%). It was evident from the study that
those who had knowledge on ARP were more likely to undergo the rite a P value of
<0.001. It was also established that the social cultural environment influenced uptake of
ARP with those that had friends who had undergone ARP more likely to undergo the rite
a P value of <0.001, parental support of ARP with a P value of <0.001 and leadership
support of ARP with a P value of <0.001. Most girls felt that ARP is a better rite of
passage 203 (58.1%) but felt that girls do not have to undergo any rite of passage148
(42.2%). The study concluded that knowledge of the girls was low, the support of the
peers and leaders and their family influenced the uptake of ARP. The study
recommended that more information should be given to the girls to increase their
knowledge. Involving local leaders and cultural custodians in the ARP will increase
acceptability of the rite.
Description
A Thesis Submitted In Partial Fulfillment 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, November, 2021
Keywords
Factors Influencing, Uptake Alternative, Rite of Passage, Teenage Girls, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya