Cultural Cal lenges and Sex Education in Mageta Islands, Kenya

Abstract

This study identifies the cultural factors that inhibit sexuality education and provides possible solutions to curb the problem. Fifty-six people from the Mageta Islands, Kenya aged between 15—60 years participated in focus groups and in-depth interviews. The purpose of these interviews was to gain insight into lifestyle choices as well as sociocultural and economic challenges facing sexuality education. The study used the Health Belief Model framework in its analysis. Few sources of information on sex education and inadequate sexual education greatly exacerbated risky sexual behaviours like unprotected sex wife inheritance, and early pregnancies. Results revealed that ignorance, certain cultural practices such as widow inheritance and the ‘jaboya’ concept (fish trading sexual partners) posed a great challenge to sexuality education. Among several recommendations, the study calls for the examination and incorporation of certain aspects of past cultural norms as a means of promoting sexuality education