Sexual risk-taking behavior amongst emerging adults in a tertiary institution of learning in Coastal Kenya: A qualitative study of stakeholders' perspectives using causal loop mapping.

<h4>Background</h4>It is known from previous studies that university students in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA) engage in sexual risk-taking behaviour (SRTB). However, there is paucity of data on factors contributing to SRTB among university students (emerging adults) at the Kenyan Coast thus...

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Main Authors: Stevenson K Chea, Vincent A Kagonya, Eunice A Oyugi, Carophine Nasambu, Isaac Menza, Fauz Ibrahim, Osman Abdullahi, Alice Anika, Amin S Hassan, Souheila Abbeddou, Kristien Michielsen, Amina Abubakar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2023-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0284550
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author Stevenson K Chea
Vincent A Kagonya
Eunice A Oyugi
Carophine Nasambu
Isaac Menza
Fauz Ibrahim
Osman Abdullahi
Alice Anika
Amin S Hassan
Souheila Abbeddou
Kristien Michielsen
Amina Abubakar
author_facet Stevenson K Chea
Vincent A Kagonya
Eunice A Oyugi
Carophine Nasambu
Isaac Menza
Fauz Ibrahim
Osman Abdullahi
Alice Anika
Amin S Hassan
Souheila Abbeddou
Kristien Michielsen
Amina Abubakar
author_sort Stevenson K Chea
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background</h4>It is known from previous studies that university students in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA) engage in sexual risk-taking behaviour (SRTB). However, there is paucity of data on factors contributing to SRTB among university students (emerging adults) at the Kenyan Coast thus hindering intervention planning. This study seeks to provide an in-depth qualitative understanding of the factors contributing to SRTB and their interconnectedness among university students at the Kenyan Coast combining qualitative research with a systems thinking approach.<h4>Methods</h4>Using the ecological model, and employing in-depth interviews, we explored the perceptions of twenty-six key informants (twenty-one emerging adults and five other stakeholders) on what constitutes and influences SRTB among emerging adults at a tertiary institution of learning in Coastal Kenya. Data were analysed using a thematic framework approach. A causal loop diagram (CLD) was developed to map the interconnectedness of the correlates of SRTB.<h4>Results</h4>Our findings show that unprotected sex, transactional sex, cross-generational sex, multiple sex partnerships, gender-based violence, sex under influence of alcohol/drugs, early sex debut, and sharing sex toys were common SRTBs. Based on the ecological model and CLD, most of the reported risk factors were interconnected and operated at the individual level.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Our study shows that emerging adults are frequently engaging in unprotected sex. Enhancing sexuality education programs for students in Kenyan universities and strengthening support systems including counselling for those using alcohol/drugs may help reduce SRTB among emerging adults in Kenyan universities.
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spelling doaj.art-c6696651ad334f29af95ecb76e7146ea2024-02-13T05:34:35ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032023-01-011810e028455010.1371/journal.pone.0284550Sexual risk-taking behavior amongst emerging adults in a tertiary institution of learning in Coastal Kenya: A qualitative study of stakeholders' perspectives using causal loop mapping.Stevenson K CheaVincent A KagonyaEunice A OyugiCarophine NasambuIsaac MenzaFauz IbrahimOsman AbdullahiAlice AnikaAmin S HassanSouheila AbbeddouKristien MichielsenAmina Abubakar<h4>Background</h4>It is known from previous studies that university students in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA) engage in sexual risk-taking behaviour (SRTB). However, there is paucity of data on factors contributing to SRTB among university students (emerging adults) at the Kenyan Coast thus hindering intervention planning. This study seeks to provide an in-depth qualitative understanding of the factors contributing to SRTB and their interconnectedness among university students at the Kenyan Coast combining qualitative research with a systems thinking approach.<h4>Methods</h4>Using the ecological model, and employing in-depth interviews, we explored the perceptions of twenty-six key informants (twenty-one emerging adults and five other stakeholders) on what constitutes and influences SRTB among emerging adults at a tertiary institution of learning in Coastal Kenya. Data were analysed using a thematic framework approach. A causal loop diagram (CLD) was developed to map the interconnectedness of the correlates of SRTB.<h4>Results</h4>Our findings show that unprotected sex, transactional sex, cross-generational sex, multiple sex partnerships, gender-based violence, sex under influence of alcohol/drugs, early sex debut, and sharing sex toys were common SRTBs. Based on the ecological model and CLD, most of the reported risk factors were interconnected and operated at the individual level.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Our study shows that emerging adults are frequently engaging in unprotected sex. Enhancing sexuality education programs for students in Kenyan universities and strengthening support systems including counselling for those using alcohol/drugs may help reduce SRTB among emerging adults in Kenyan universities.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0284550
spellingShingle Stevenson K Chea
Vincent A Kagonya
Eunice A Oyugi
Carophine Nasambu
Isaac Menza
Fauz Ibrahim
Osman Abdullahi
Alice Anika
Amin S Hassan
Souheila Abbeddou
Kristien Michielsen
Amina Abubakar
Sexual risk-taking behavior amongst emerging adults in a tertiary institution of learning in Coastal Kenya: A qualitative study of stakeholders' perspectives using causal loop mapping.
PLoS ONE
title Sexual risk-taking behavior amongst emerging adults in a tertiary institution of learning in Coastal Kenya: A qualitative study of stakeholders' perspectives using causal loop mapping.
title_full Sexual risk-taking behavior amongst emerging adults in a tertiary institution of learning in Coastal Kenya: A qualitative study of stakeholders' perspectives using causal loop mapping.
title_fullStr Sexual risk-taking behavior amongst emerging adults in a tertiary institution of learning in Coastal Kenya: A qualitative study of stakeholders' perspectives using causal loop mapping.
title_full_unstemmed Sexual risk-taking behavior amongst emerging adults in a tertiary institution of learning in Coastal Kenya: A qualitative study of stakeholders' perspectives using causal loop mapping.
title_short Sexual risk-taking behavior amongst emerging adults in a tertiary institution of learning in Coastal Kenya: A qualitative study of stakeholders' perspectives using causal loop mapping.
title_sort sexual risk taking behavior amongst emerging adults in a tertiary institution of learning in coastal kenya a qualitative study of stakeholders perspectives using causal loop mapping
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0284550
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