SEXTING AND RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR AMONG STUDENTS IN MACHAKOS UNIVERSITY, MACHAKOS COUNTY.KENYA

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate sexting practice among students and identify the risky sexual behaviors associated with sexting among students in Machakos University, Machakos County, Kenya. Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional study design. The target sample was 347 students aged 18-24 years in Machakos university. Convenience sampling was used for quantitative data and purposive sampling for qualitative data as well as the study area. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were utilized and in-depth interview used for the qualitative data collection. The IBM SPSS version 26.0 was used for data analysis. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data and triangulated with quantitative findings. Results was presented in tables, graphs and pie charts. Chi square test was done to identify variables associated with sexting and odds ratio to measure the association between sexting and risky sexual behavior. Findings: Sexting (sending of sexually suggestive image/photo) was found to be prevalent among the student at 57% and 48% being two-way sexters. Male respondents engaged more into sexting as compared to female respondents at 67%and 33% respectively.23.0% sexted to keep or get a boy/girlfriend and 14% due to pleasure from their peers. Gender, Age, Level of study and relationship status were all significantly associated with sexting (P=0.000, P=0.027, P=0.002 and P=0.022 respectively). Risky sexual behaviors among students included early sexual intercourse 74%, but 54% had not used protection. Sexting and risky sexual behavior were found to be associated because most of the respondents who engaged in sexting were eight times more like to engage in early sexual intercourse, and the perception of sexters was that if one was sexting they were six times likely to have sex with the person they sexted, and so the null hypothesis that there is no relationship between sexting and risky sexual behavior was rejected and the alternative hypothesis adopted. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Adoption of Multi sectoral to develop policies, and design youth programs with a wide range of issues relating to sex and sexuality and how to safely navigate the internet and form healthy relationships both on and offline, which include issues such as sexting with young people from a young age.