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A lack of research exists around the most common forms of sexual risk behaviors among adolescents, including their underlying factors, in Sub-Saharan Africa. Using an Ecological Model of Adolescent Behavior, we explore the perceptions of 85 young people and 10 stakeholders on sexual risk behavior of adolescents in Kilifi County on the coast of Kenya. Our findings show that transactional sex, early sexual debut, coerced sex, and multiple sexual partnerships are prevalent. An urgent need exists to develop measures to counter sexual risk behaviors. The results contribute to understanding the range of risks and protective factors in differing contexts, tackling underlying issues at individual, family, local institutional, wider socio-economic, and political levels.

Original publication

DOI

10.1177/1359105317736783

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Health Psychol

Publication Date

02/2018

Volume

23

Pages

188 - 205

Keywords

adolescence, qualitative methods, risk factors, sexual behavior, youth, Adolescent, Adolescent Behavior, Adult, Child, Female, Humans, Kenya, Male, Prevalence, Qualitative Research, Risk-Taking, Safe Sex, Sexual Partners, Socioeconomic Factors, Stakeholder Participation, Unsafe Sex, Young Adult