Values, Norms, And Practices That Influence Adolescent Sexual Behaviours: A Case Study Of Lang'Ata Ward; Nairobi County, Kenya

Purpose: The main purpose of the study was to establish the values, norms, and practices that influence adolescent sexual behaviors.Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population of the study comprised of 1500 youth attending private secondary schools in Langata. A sample size of 10% of the population was used. Therefore the sample was 150 youth attending private secondary schools in Langata which were selected through probability sampling technique. The key instruments for data collection were focus group discussions, interviews and questionnaires.Results: There is a huge possibility of the adolescents engaging in risky sexual behaviour and having sexual relations with multiple partners whom they felt they were "˜in love' with. There is also the aspect of wide knowledge of contraception yet very little use of the same as many youths stated that among them were those who would readily have sexual relations without condoms thus expose themselves to and are oblivious of the many dangers they are face.The same youth seem very comfortable with the idea of having multiple sexual partners for as long as condoms were available to them or even just engage in one night stands with strangers to prove a point to their peers; findings that are very disturbing to say the least.This is a clear indicator of the fact that despite the fact that there is community teaching and the presence of and practising of certain norms and values; there are definitely loopholes in the manner with which this teaching is taking place.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that Sexuality is a sensitive subject and a lot must be done to ensure that the youth in Lang'ata Ward get the correct information