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Does the Quality of Parent–Child Connectedness Matter for Adolescents’ Sexual Behaviors in Nairobi Informal Settlements?

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Abstract

This study investigated the associations between parent–child connectedness and sexual behaviors among adolescents living in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya, a vulnerable group with respect to reproductive health outcomes. The study was based on data from the Transition to Adulthood project, a study designed to follow adolescents aged 12–22 for 3 years in the informal settlements of Korogocho and Viwandani. Direct face-to-face questions were asked to adolescents about parenting variables and sexual behaviors. This study used a subsample of 689 sexually experienced 12–22-years-olds at Wave 2. Bivariate analysis compared gender differences for three outcomes–sexual activity in the 12 months prior to the survey and, among those who had had sex in this period, multiple sexual partners and condom use at last sex. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify associations between these outcomes and the quality of parent–child connectedness. About 60 % of adolescent females and males were sexually active in the 12 months prior to the survey. The multivariate results showed a strong association between the quality of parent–child connectedness and condom use among adolescent males. Living with related or unrelated guardians (versus living with biological parents) was also associated with higher odds of multiple sexual partners and lower odds of condom use at last sex among adolescent females and with higher odds of sexual activity among adolescent males. Sexual and reproductive health programs targeting adolescents living in Nairobi informal settlements would benefit from attention to assisting parents to improve their ability to play the connectedness role.

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Acknowledgments

The Transition-to-Adulthood study is part of a larger project on Urbanization, Poverty and Health Dynamics, that is funded by the Wellcome Trust (Grant Number GR 07830 M). This project is nested in the Nairobi Urban Health and Demographic Surveillance System (NUHDSS) which is part of the INDEPTH Network. Analysis time for the lead author was funded by the Gates Foundation under the Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation project (MLE Grant Number 52037). The authors wish to thank colleagues at APHRC for their contributions and the youth in Korogocho and Viwandani for their participation in the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. African Population and Health Research Center, Manga close off Kirawa Road, POB 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya

    Estelle M. Sidze, Patricia Elungata’a, Beatrice W. Maina & Michael M. Mutua

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  1. Estelle M. Sidze
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  2. Patricia Elungata’a
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  3. Beatrice W. Maina
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  4. Michael M. Mutua
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Correspondence to Estelle M. Sidze.

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Sidze, E.M., Elungata’a, P., Maina, B.W. et al. Does the Quality of Parent–Child Connectedness Matter for Adolescents’ Sexual Behaviors in Nairobi Informal Settlements?. Arch Sex Behav 44, 631–638 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-014-0402-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-014-0402-3

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