Contraceptive Use Among High School Students in Kenya

Data from a 1989 survey of 2059 students enrolled in 29 urban and rural secondary schools in Nakuru District of Kenya indicate that 69% of males and 27% of females were sexually experienced. Males and females were of mean ages 17.8 and 17.2 years respectively. Among the sexually experienced students 49% of the males and 42% of females had ever used contraception. 25% of males and 28% of females used a method of contraception at first intercourse and 31% and 29% respectively had done so at most recent intercourse. 55% of males and 43% of females used the condom at most recent intercourse while 29% of males and 43% of females used rhythm and 6% of males and 10% of females used the oral pill. To obtain contraceptives 33% of males and 46% of females visited clinics and 36% of males and 25% of females relied upon friends. For females high socioeconomic status high academic achievement and a favorable attitude toward contraception were the most important factors predicting use of a contraceptive method at first intercourse and use at most recent intercourse. None of these factors however predicted male contraceptive use. Males who reported that their partner approved of contraception were twice as likely to have used a method at most recent sex.