Mombasa,KENYA:The rate pupils engaged in sexual issues in Mombasa is rife according to a recent study done by African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) a research organization in collaboration with New York based Gutmarcher Institute .
Addressing journalists on Friday at Bamburi Beach Hotel Dr. Estelle Monique an associate research scientist from APHRC said 20 per cent of the pupils interviewed admitted that they are sexually active and therefore called for immediate action concerning the issue.
Monique added that though the government has stepped up measures to address the challenge something need to be done to fully address the gaps in terms of implementation and comprehensiveness of the content related to sexual education Kenyan schools.
“Despite the government efforts to address the problem something needs to be done to address the challenges in terms of sexual education.” The researcher said.
The research scientist further said that it is the role of the government to increase more focus in topics aligned to gender rights, early pregnancies and relaying appropriate information related to the use of contraceptives in schools.
According to the findings of the research, conducted in three counties including Homa Bay, Mombasa and Nairobi Monique said that about 57 per cent of students interviewed are thirsty about sexuality education.
On the other hand, Mellisa Stillman an associate researcher from the Gutmarcher Institute in the U.S said their study mainly focused on five topics that included sexual reproductive physiology, HIV and STI’s prevention Contraception and unintended pregnancy, values on interpersonal skills and gender and sexual reproductive rights.
Mellisa observed that according their findings in Mombasa half of the students interviewed were learning at least one topic in each of the five topics but only 2 per cent were learning all the topics.
The study conducted in 2015 also revealed that nearly four secondary students in the three counties think that using a condom is a sign of mistrust.
APHRC is an international non-profit and non-governmental organisation with headquarters in Kenya particularly focuses on urban health and poverty, the importance of rapid urbanization and related urban health crisis to African population growth.
As well as conducting research, the APHRC runs workshops, seminars, and conferences as part of its efforts to strengthen professional and institutional research capacity besides offering post-doctoral research programs; and research internships.
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