Department of Nursing Sciences, School of Health and Human Sciences, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya.
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, International Centre for Reproductive Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
PLoS One. 2023 Oct 10;18(10):e0284550. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284550. eCollection 2023.
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.
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.
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.
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.
以往的研究表明，撒哈拉以南非洲（sSA）的大学生存在性冒险行为（SRTB）。然而，肯尼亚海岸地区大学生（新兴成年人）参与性冒险行为的因素数据很少，因此阻碍了干预计划的制定。本研究旨在深入了解肯尼亚海岸地区大学生参与性冒险行为的因素及其相互关系，结合定性研究和系统思维方法。
利用生态模型，通过深入访谈，我们探讨了 26 名关键信息提供者（21 名新兴成年人和 5 名其他利益相关者）对构成肯尼亚海岸地区高等学府新兴成年人性冒险行为的因素及其影响的看法。使用主题框架方法分析数据。开发因果循环图（CLD）以映射 SRTB 相关性的相互关系。
我们的研究结果表明，不安全的性行为、交易性性行为、跨代性行为、多个性伴侣、性别暴力、性在酒精/药物的影响下、性早期开始和共享性玩具都是常见的性冒险行为。根据生态模型和 CLD，大多数报告的风险因素相互关联，并在个体层面运作。
我们的研究表明，新兴成年人经常进行无保护的性行为。加强肯尼亚大学学生的性教育计划，并加强包括对使用酒精/药物的人的咨询支持系统，可能有助于减少肯尼亚大学新兴成年人的性冒险行为。
