HIV remains the most significant public health and development challenge in the world. In sub-Saharan African countries, young people aged 15-24 years are bearing the biggest brunt. The United Nations framework for addressing the epidemic among young people who bear the high burden of HIV globally calls for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education. Despite the availability of widening array of HIV prevention tools and methods, new infections among youth in Kenya only reduced by 59% between 2015 and 2019. The percentage of young men aged 15-24 years who had two or more sexual partners who reported using condoms during the last sexual intercourse was higher at 63.5% compared to young women of the same age group at 35.5%. Various HIV prevention interventions have been implemented among the Young People with little assessment of their effectiveness in reducing new HIV infections. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of comprehensive HIV prevention information package on number of concurrent sexual partners among young people aged 15-24 years in Kakamega and Kericho counties, Kenya. To achieve this, a non-randomised control trial was conducted using a structured questionnaire. It involved purposively selecting Kakamega as intervention and Kericho as Comparison County. Consenting young people residing in these counties were the study subjects. The pretest questionnaire was administered in both intervention and control counties in November - December, 2021. The posttest questionnaire was administered in both counties after nine months of providing HIV prevention information package in the intervention county. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi square, t-test). The number of youths who had two or more sexual partners reduced at endline to 17.6% from 23.7% in intervention county. Similar reduction was also noted in comparison County, where the number reduced to 36.6% at endline from 61.1% but was not significant (t = 2.197, df=2, P = 0.159). There was significant number of male youth in intervention county who had two or more concurrent sexual partners at 13.7% compared to female at 6.4%(P=0.003). Concurrent partnership by gender among youth in comparison county was higher among men at 32.4% compared to female at 11.4% but was not significant (0.091). The findings from the study will inform national rollout of the HIV prevention information package to contribute to safer sexual behaviors among young people.
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Comprehensive HIV Information, Non-randomized, Sexual Behavior, Concurrent Partnerships
1. Introduction
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the most significant public health and development challenge in the world
[1]
UNAIDS. HIV Estimates. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, 2022.
[1]
. Efforts to reduce new HIV infections to fewer than 500000 worldwide by 2020 have been off-track. Globally, over 1.5 million people became newly infected with HIV in 2021 compared with 1.6 million in 2019 representing 7% decline. Approximately 400 000 young people aged 15 -24 years in the world were newly infected with HIV in 2021 down from 450 000 in 2019
[1]
UNAIDS. HIV Estimates. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, 2022.
[1]
.
The Sub Saharan African region had approximately 990 000 new HIV infections in 2019 compared to 1.29 million in 2015 representing a 23% decline. An estimated 332 100 young people aged 15-24 years got newly infected in 2019 in the Sub Saharan region down from 426 000 in 2015. The East and South African region had the highest reduction in new HIV infections at 38% since 2010. An estimated 260 000 young people aged 15-24 years got newly infected in 2019 in the region down from 340 000 in 2015
[2]
UNAIDS. HIV Estimates. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, 2020.
[2]
. Only 30% males and 19% females aged 15-24 in sub Saharan Africa have comprehensive knowledge on HIV. The Median condom use by men at last higher risk sex was only 58.6%, far from the global target of 90% by 2020
[3]
ICF. The DHS Program, ICF Internationa, 2018. Retrieved From
New HIV infections in Kenya have stabilized at an average of 41 408 people down from 51 000 in 2015
[4]
MOH. Kenya HIV Estimates Report. National AIDS Control Counci, 2020.
[4]
. Average number of sexual partners in Kenya are 2 among women and 7 among men
[5]
MOH. Kenya Demographic and Health survey KenyNational Bureau of Statistics, 2022.
[5]
. Young people aged 15-24 years contribute 42% of all new HIV infections in Kenya
[6]
MOH. Kenya HIV Estimates Report. National AIDS Control Counci, 2022.
[6]
. The high new HIV infections can be attributed to casual sex with multiple partners, limited comprehensive information on HIV prevention and inconsistent and incorrect condom use. Only 37.5% of females and 68.9% of males aged 15-24 years with more than one sexual partner in the past 12 months reported using a condom during their last sexual intercourse. Additionally, only 54% females and 55% males in this age group have comprehensive knowledge of HIV prevention
[5]
MOH. Kenya Demographic and Health survey KenyNational Bureau of Statistics, 2022.
[5]
.
Kakamega county has a projected population of 1 867 579 with a HIV prevalence of 3.9 as at 2018
[7]
KNBS. Kenya Population and Housing Census. Kenya N ational Bureau of Statistics, 2022. Available from
. The county has approximately 388 255 young people aged 15-24 years who contributed 27% of the 2198 new HIV infections in the county
[8]
MOH. Kenya HIV Estimates Report. National AIDS Control Counci, 2018.
[8]
. Only 2% women and 5.6% men reported having two or more sexual partners in the last 12 months prior to the survey. Kericho county has a projected population of 995566 with a HIV prevalence of 3.4 as at 2018. The county has approximately 192 767 young people aged 15-24 years who contributed 32% of the 419 new HIV infections in the county. Only 7% women and 2.2% men reported having two or more sexual partners in the last 12 months prior to the survey (MOH. 2022). HIV preventions in these counties are not being provided on an adequate scale and with sufficient intensity to reach young people who need them most.
The aim of the study was to investigate effect of comprehensive HIV prevention information package on number of concurrent sexual partners among youth in Kenya.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Design
A Nonrandomized control trial was conducted for 9 months from December 2021 using qualitative and quantitative methods. Nonrandomized control trials are typically much cheaper and may be more politically feasible to conduct
[9]
Campbell DT and Stanley J: Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Research. Houghton Mifflin, 1966. Boston, USA.
[9]
.
2.2. Setting
The study was undertaken in Kakamega as intervention and Kericho as comparison county. These two were purposively selected because they are medium incidence
[4]
MOH. Kenya HIV Estimates Report. National AIDS Control Counci, 2020.
[4]
. The three sub counties in the two counties were randomly selected to represent urban, cosmopolitan and rural youth. Nandi county is geographically located between Intervention area and Comparison area to prevent effect of spillover or mixing of youth from the two study counties.
2.3. Study Population
The research population of interest were all youth in Kakamega and Kericho County. A target of 495 youth was the study subjects. The study participants were selected from youth group meetings to represent out of school youth and from tertiary instutions to represent the in-school youth. Consenting youth residing in the intervention and control counties between December 2021 and September 2022 were the study participants.
2.4. Selection Criteria
2.4.1. Inclusion Criteria
1) Confirmed young person residing in the study counties for at least one year
2) Youth aged 15 -24 years and able to give informed consent
3) Youth below 18 years who assent in addition to parental consent
2.4.2. Exclusion Criteria
1) Young people who don’t consent
2) Youths who don’t consent
3) Mentally disturbed youths
2.5. Sampling
2.5.1. Sampling Strategy
Stratified sampling was used to select three sub counties in the intervention and control county to represent urban, cosmopolitan and rural youth. Simple random sampling was used to select colleges or technical institutes to represent in-school youth and youth groups to represent out of school youth in the intervention and control counties. Individual youth who consented in both counties were invited to fill a questionnaire at baseline and after 9 months of providing comprehensive HIV prevention information package in the intervention county. Consecutive sampling was used to include all accessible individual study participants to provide information on the study questions. The change in usage of condoms and HIV testing services in the intervention county was compared with the comparison county.
2.5.2. Sample Size Determination
A representative sample size for the non-randomised control trial was determined using a formula developed for intervention studies
[10]
Suresh KP and Chandrashekara S: Sample Size Estimation and Power Analysis for Clinical Research Studies. Journal of Human Reproductive Science, 2012; 5, 7-13.
[10]
.
According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, only 59% of youth in Kenya have comprehensive knowledge on HIV and AIDS
[11]
MOH. Kenya Demographic and Health survey. KenyaNational Bureau of Statistics, 2014.
[11]
. We estimate that the intervention will increase comprehensive knowledge among this age group by 10%. Adjusting for 10% non-response rate
[12]
Israel GD: Sampling The Evidence of Extension Program Impact. IFAS, 1992. University of Florida.
[12]
.
The sample size was 495 youth for the baseline survey and 495 in the follow-up survey. We used stratified probability proportional to size (PPS) method
[13]
Cochran WG: Sampling Techniques, 2nd Ed. John Wiley and Sons Inc 1963. New York, USA;
to obtain the number of young people to be sampled per county. The population of interest in each county was sampled proportional to its size as shown in table 1.
Table 1. Population size and sample size of participants in each sample locations.
County
Sub county
Youth (15-24 years)
Sample
1
Kakamega
Lurambi
42322
140
2
Kakamega
Lugari
25431
85
3
Kakamega
Navakholo
32100
106
Sub total
99853
331
4
Kericho
Ainamoi
37122
68
5
Kericho
Kipkelion
25638
47
6
Kericho
Sigowe
26724
49
Sub total
89484
164
Total
495
2.5.3. Pre-testing
Pre-test study was conducted using 50 youth in Machakos County that formed 10% of the sample size. Data was collected from 25 youth in a randomly selected sample of 3 youth groups and 25 young people from two Colleges or technical institutes in Machakos County. Data was collected through use of detailed questionnaire, structured interviews and some use of direct observation. The pretest county is medium incidence and was characteristically similar to participant counties. Pre-testing of instruments was also intended to improve clarity, precision, reliability and validity of data. Following analysis of the pretest study data, ambiguous or unclear questions were either be rephrased or removed.
2.5.4. Validity
The questionnaire was comprehensive enough to collect all the information needed to address the purpose and objectives of the study. A field test was conducted before the questionnaire was used for the pilot study. To test validity, the questionnaire was also reviewed by an expert at Kenyatta University. Data from other sources was compared with results from this study. The findings from this study can be generalized for the effect comprehensive HIV prevention information package on risk sexual behavior among youth in Kenya.
2.5.5. Reliability
Pretesting the questionnaire helped enhance reliability of the instrument. The Research Assistants were trained on administering the research instruments. Reliability was established using a pilot test by collecting data from subjects not included in the sample. The same questionnaire was used during the interviews and all its subparts were measured using the same characteristic. To increase reliability of data collected, efforts for triangulation was undertaken including performing two separate interviews per county in addition to direct observation made
[14]
Khasewa J, Keraka M and Ayugi J: Barriers to utilization of provider initiated HIV counseling and testing services among TB patients; a case of Rhodes Chest Clinic, Nairobi, Kenya, 2011.
The comprehensive HIV prevention information package was provided to the youth in the intervention county after the baseline assessment. The HIV prevention information package had 3 contact sessions offered termly for 9 months. Each contact session was 3 hours long consisting of presentation, experience sharing, group discussion and practical demonstration. The package consisted of frequently asked questions on HIV and AIDS, overview of HIV including transmission and prevention options, condom use dialogue, key HIV and STIs messages and documentary. Two local peer facilitators were trained on the comprehensive HIV Prevention information package to facilitate termly sessions with the youth. The out of school youth were meeting at the county Youth Empowerment center every last Saturday of the month to receive the intervention. Youthful HIV testing counselors from partner organizations were referred to the youth empowerment center to offer the service. Youth in the comparison county continued to receive routine HIV services offered at health facilities.
The quantitative data was collected from respondents at baseline and at endline after 9 months by using a self-administered questionnaire which had both structured and unstructured questions. The questionnaire was constructed through literature review and consultation with subject experts at the University. Four key informant interviews were also conducted with program implementers to establish HIV prevention strategies available for young people. Six Focus Group Discussions with 8-10 youth were conducted for the qualitative study at baseline and at endline. A similar questionnaire was administered at baseline and end line period in both intervention and comparison counties. The questionnaire also collected information on potential confounding factors such as age, gender, residence and other prevention programs that they had attended. The post test data was collected 9 months after implementing the comprehensive HIV prevention information package as shown in figure 1 below. Data was checked for completeness and internal consistency throughout the data collection period. The questionnaire together with participants’ responses was then coded and entered into a computer for analysis.
2.7.1. Data Collection Process
The quantitative data collection method involved individual interviews using pretested structured questionnaire that was well designed as per the research objectives. All respondents signed consent and assent form before participating in the study. Eligible participants who declined to participate were not coerced. The data collection process took 7 days at baseline and at endline in both intervention and comparison county. Each interview took an average of 45 minutes. The endline data was collected after 9 months of providing HIV Prevention information package to youth in the intervention county while youth in comparison county continued to receive routine health services. The researcher and research assistants analyzed the interview data and checked for inconsistencies and clarification.
The qualitative data was collected by conducting individual indepth interviews and focus group discussions. The researcher conducted 4 Key informant interview guides with key youth program implementers and 6 focus group discussions with youths per county. Participants for the qualitative study were purposefully selected based on their experience in the research study. After explaining the study objectives and obtaining consent from respondents, the researcher requested permission to record and take notes during the session. Participants were assured of confidentiality and the information provided will be strictly used for the study. Participants were asked to respect each other’s opinion since there was no wrong response during the session. The researcher moderated the one hour discussion with participants while the research assistant took notes. The researcher finally thanked participants for their time.
2.7.2. Data Analysis
The qualitative data was transcribed and translated then entered into NVivo qualitative data software for coding and thematic analysis. The quantitative data was entered into SPSS and analyzed using descriptive statistics. These include mean, median, frequencies and standard deviation. The Difference-In-Difference (DID) regression model was used to compare outcomes between intervention and comparison county at baseline and after 9 months of the intervention at end line. A Chi square test was used to determine the effect of the comprehensive HIV prevention information package and testing for any significant difference. Potential confounders were measured at baseline and end line and analysis and the results adjusted for possible confounders using logistic regression to ensure unbiased estimation of the intervention effect.
2.8. Ethical Considerations
Research proposal was approved by Kenyatta University Ethical Review Committee as No. PKU/2302/11441 before start of the study. The research permit was obtained from NACOSTI. Kakamega and Kericho counties gave clearance to collect data from colleges and youth groups. Written informed consent was obtained from all the study participants. Parental permission for adolescents aged 15-17 years was sought first before the minor’s assent was sought. No participant name appeared on the questionnaire. Participants were informed that there will be no penalties for declining to participate or for withdrawing from the study in the course of data collection and that no invasive procedures will be used. Access to database was restricted by password. Completed questionnaires were kept in lockable office.
3. Results
3.1. Demographic Information of the Sampled Population
A total of 495 respondents from Kericho and Kakamega were involved in this study with 100% response rate. Most of the respondents were from Kakamega (66.7%) based on the proportionate sample size. Both male and female young adults in the ages of 15 - 24 years were involved. Majority of the respondents 61.2% were in their tertiary education level and only 10.7% were married as summarized in Table 2.
Table 2. Respondents’ demographic information.
Demographic information
Category
At Baseline (N = 495)
End line (N = 495)
County
Kericho
164 (33.1%)
164 (33.1%)
Kakamega
331(66.9%)
331(66.9%)
Gender
Male
233 (47.1%)
233 (47.1%)
Female
262 (52.9%)
262 (52.9%)
Age (Years)
15 - 19
185 (373.6%)
183(37.0%)
20 - 24
306(61.8%)
312(63.0%)
NonRespons
3 (0.6%)
-
Education level
None
10 (2.0%)
10 (2.0%)
Primary
58 (11.7%)
26(5.3%)
Secondary
113 (22.8%)
95(19.2%)
Tertiary
303 (61.2%)
355(71.7%)
Non -response
11 (2.2%)
10 (2.0%)
Religion
Christians
456 (92.1%)
466(94.1%)
Muslims
32(6.5%)
26 (5.3%)
Others
3 (0.6%)
2 (0.4%)
Non-respons
4 (0.8%)
1 (0.2%)
Marital status
Married
53 (10.7%)
57(11.5%)
Single
400 (80.8%)
414 (83.6%)
*Others
34(6.9%)
21 (4.2%)
Nonresponse
8 (1.6%)
3 (0.6%)
3.2. Sexual Behavior Among Youths
The percentage of youths in a sexual relationship increased from 60.6% at baseline to 76.8% at endline. During the baseline, 18.8% of the youth had two or more sexual partners compared to 19.4% at endline. At the baseline, 48.0% of the youths used condoms anytime they had sex compared to 65.9% at endline as summarized in figure 2.
3.3. Concurrent Sexual Partners in the Two Counties
The findings revealed that 76.8% were in a sexual relationship while 23.2% were not at endline. In Kericho, the number of youth who had two or more sexual partners reduced at endline to 36.6% from the previous 61.4%. Similar reduction in the number of sexual partners was also noted in Kakamega County, where the number reduced to 17.6% at the end of the survey but was not significant (t= 2.197, p= 0.159) as summarized in Table 3.
Table 3. Number of youths in sexual relationships in Kakamega and in Kericho at baseline and endline.
Baseline
Endline
Kakamega
Kericho
Kakamega
Kericho
Youths in sexual relationship
198 (65.6%)
102 (66.7%)
279 (84.5%)
101 (56.4%)
Youth with one partner
116 (59.2%)
9 (8.9%)
193 (69.2%)
50 (49.5%)
Youths with 2+ partners
47 (23.7%)
62 (61.4%)
49 (17.6%)
37 (36.6%)
t-value
1.608
2.197
df
2
2
P-value
0.249
0.159
3.4. Concurrent Sexual Partners by Gender
During the endline survey, 13.7% of the male youth in Kakamega and 32.4% of male youth in Kericho had two or more sexual partners. In Kakamega, less females (6.4%) compared to males had two or more sexual partners. Similarly, less females in Kericho (11.4%) than males had two or more sexual partners as shown in Table 4.
Table 4. Gender of the youth having one, two or more sexual partners in the counties.
County
Demography
Category
Number of sexual partners in last nine months
One
Two or more
χ2 - value
P -value
Kakamega (n = 249)
Gender
Male
83 (33.3%)
34 (13.7%)
Female
116(46.6%)
16 (6.4%)
11.507
0.003*
Kericho (n =105)
Gender
Male
31 (29.5%)
34 (32.4%)
Female
28 (26.7%)
12 (11.4%)
4.791
0.091
*Represents significant difference at P ≤ 0.05
4. Discussion
Youths who had more than one sexual partner reduced at the endline in intervention county to 17.6% from the previous 23.7%. Similar reduction in the number was noted in comparison County, where the number reduced to 36.6% at the end of the survey. During the endline survey, 13.7% of the male youths in intervention county had two or more sexual partners compared to 32.4% of males in comparison county. In intervention county, less females (6.4%) compared to males had two or more sexual partners (χ2 =11.507, P=0.003). This finding is concurs to a resilience-based HIV prevention intervention among youths in South Africa where the participants at the 3-months follow-up had a higher tendency to participate in several romantic relationships, transactional sex and intergenerational sex than baseline
[15]
Mbengo, F., Adama, E., Amanda, T. B., Bhana, A., Yamoah,, Zgambo, M.(2022). Impact of you only live once: A resilience-based HIV prevention intervention to reduce risky sexual behaviour among youth in South Africa, Acta Psychologica, Volume 230, 2022, 103757, ISSN 0001-6918,
. A similar HIV prevention program conducted among Thai Men never decreased the number of sexual partners and STI reinfection rate after 3-month follow-up
[16]
Thato, R., Daengsaard, E., and Sukrak, N.(2018). The Effect of a Brief HIV Prevention Program on Risk Reduction Behaviors Among Thai Men Diagnosed With Sexually Transmitted Infections, Asian Nursing Research, Volume 12, Issue 4, 2018, Pages 265-272, ISSN1976-1317,
. The findings were contrary to a study conducted in New York, where participants in the prevention intervention arm reported significantly fewer sexual partners and fewer sexual activities compared to participants in the control group
[17]
El-Bassel, N., Gilbert, L., and Goddard-Eckrich, D.(2019). Effectiveness of a Couple-Based HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Intervention for Men in Community Supervision Programs and Their Female Sexual Partners: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw. 1139 Open. 2019; 2(3): e191139.
. A school based quasi experimental study in Northern Malawi also reported lower likelihood of engaging in sexual activity and having a large number of sexual partners in the intervention group at endline
[18]
Mwale M and Muula SA: The efficacy of peer education in sexual behavioral change among school-going adolescents in Northern Malawi: A quasi experiment, Journal of HIV/AIDS & Social Services, 18: 3, 229247, 2019,
. The study did not have control over similar HIV prevention interventions that might have diluted the effect of the intervention. The findings makes me think to drop concurrent partnerships as indicator for HIV prevention or conduct a randomized community control study to see the effect. The risk of HIV transmission is also low where sexual partners have achieved viral suppression. Few interventions have also been successful in reducing the number of concurrent sexual partners when addressing social norms and economic vulnerability.
5. Recommendation
The Ministry of Health to promote alternative prevention interventions for multiple partnerships that include abstinence among youth.
6. Conclusions
From data analyzed, the Comprehensive HIV prevention information package had no significant effect on concurrent sexual partners among the youths (P=0.159).
Abbreviations
AIDS
Acquired Immune Deficiency Virus
AYP
Adolescent and Young People
DID
Difference-in-difference
FGD
Focus Group Discussions
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HTS
HIV Testing Services
KDHS
Kenya Demographic and Health Survey
KII
Key Informant Interview
NACOSTI
National Commission for Science, Echnology and Innovations
UNAIDS
Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS
SPSS
Statistical Package for Social Sciences
STI
Sexually Transmitted Infection
TVET
Technical and vocational Education and Training
Acknowledgments
Authors wish to acknowledge Dr Chrispinus Wamalwa and Peter Cheruiyot for permission to conduct the research in TVET Colleges in Kakamega and Kericho counties. We appreciate the support of TVET Principals and the youths who agreed to participate in the study. Thanks to Lawrence Alaro, Joseph Wanyonyi, Aggrey Indeje, Sylvia Dianga,, Catherine Washira, Abdi Swaleh Geoffrey Kigen, Sylvia Chepngetich,, George Dianga and Cyphrene Wasike for their assistance throughout this study. The support of the research Assistants Fatuma Maalim, Gideon Korir, Josephat Marumbu and Damaris Momanyi cannot be overemphasized.
Finally, my special thanks go to Leon and Fleming for staying with me until very late at night as I worked on this.
MOH. Kenya HIV Estimates Report. National AIDS Control Counci, 2018.
[9]
Campbell DT and Stanley J: Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Research. Houghton Mifflin, 1966. Boston, USA.
[10]
Suresh KP and Chandrashekara S: Sample Size Estimation and Power Analysis for Clinical Research Studies. Journal of Human Reproductive Science, 2012; 5, 7-13.
[11]
MOH. Kenya Demographic and Health survey. KenyaNational Bureau of Statistics, 2014.
[12]
Israel GD: Sampling The Evidence of Extension Program Impact. IFAS, 1992. University of Florida.
[13]
Cochran WG: Sampling Techniques, 2nd Ed. John Wiley and Sons Inc 1963. New York, USA;
Khasewa J, Keraka M and Ayugi J: Barriers to utilization of provider initiated HIV counseling and testing services among TB patients; a case of Rhodes Chest Clinic, Nairobi, Kenya, 2011.
Mbengo, F., Adama, E., Amanda, T. B., Bhana, A., Yamoah,, Zgambo, M.(2022). Impact of you only live once: A resilience-based HIV prevention intervention to reduce risky sexual behaviour among youth in South Africa, Acta Psychologica, Volume 230, 2022, 103757, ISSN 0001-6918,
Thato, R., Daengsaard, E., and Sukrak, N.(2018). The Effect of a Brief HIV Prevention Program on Risk Reduction Behaviors Among Thai Men Diagnosed With Sexually Transmitted Infections, Asian Nursing Research, Volume 12, Issue 4, 2018, Pages 265-272, ISSN1976-1317,
El-Bassel, N., Gilbert, L., and Goddard-Eckrich, D.(2019). Effectiveness of a Couple-Based HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Intervention for Men in Community Supervision Programs and Their Female Sexual Partners: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw. 1139 Open. 2019; 2(3): e191139.
Mwale M and Muula SA: The efficacy of peer education in sexual behavioral change among school-going adolescents in Northern Malawi: A quasi experiment, Journal of HIV/AIDS & Social Services, 18: 3, 229247, 2019,
Khasewa, J., Mwanzo, I., Orago, A. (2025). Effect of Comprehensive HIV Prevention Information Package on Number of Concurrent Sexual Partners Among Youth in Kenya. Central African Journal of Public Health, 11(4), 201-209. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20251104.16
Khasewa, J.; Mwanzo, I.; Orago, A. Effect of Comprehensive HIV Prevention Information Package on Number of Concurrent Sexual Partners Among Youth in Kenya. Cent. Afr. J. Public Health2025, 11(4), 201-209. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20251104.16
Khasewa J, Mwanzo I, Orago A. Effect of Comprehensive HIV Prevention Information Package on Number of Concurrent Sexual Partners Among Youth in Kenya. Cent Afr J Public Health. 2025;11(4):201-209. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20251104.16
@article{10.11648/j.cajph.20251104.16,
author = {Joab Khasewa and Isaac Mwanzo and Alloys Orago},
title = {Effect of Comprehensive HIV Prevention Information Package on Number of Concurrent Sexual Partners Among Youth in Kenya
},
journal = {Central African Journal of Public Health},
volume = {11},
number = {4},
pages = {201-209},
doi = {10.11648/j.cajph.20251104.16},
url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20251104.16},
eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cajph.20251104.16},
abstract = {HIV remains the most significant public health and development challenge in the world. In sub-Saharan African countries, young people aged 15-24 years are bearing the biggest brunt. The United Nations framework for addressing the epidemic among young people who bear the high burden of HIV globally calls for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education. Despite the availability of widening array of HIV prevention tools and methods, new infections among youth in Kenya only reduced by 59% between 2015 and 2019. The percentage of young men aged 15-24 years who had two or more sexual partners who reported using condoms during the last sexual intercourse was higher at 63.5% compared to young women of the same age group at 35.5%. Various HIV prevention interventions have been implemented among the Young People with little assessment of their effectiveness in reducing new HIV infections. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of comprehensive HIV prevention information package on number of concurrent sexual partners among young people aged 15-24 years in Kakamega and Kericho counties, Kenya. To achieve this, a non-randomised control trial was conducted using a structured questionnaire. It involved purposively selecting Kakamega as intervention and Kericho as Comparison County. Consenting young people residing in these counties were the study subjects. The pretest questionnaire was administered in both intervention and control counties in November - December, 2021. The posttest questionnaire was administered in both counties after nine months of providing HIV prevention information package in the intervention county. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi square, t-test). The number of youths who had two or more sexual partners reduced at endline to 17.6% from 23.7% in intervention county. Similar reduction was also noted in comparison County, where the number reduced to 36.6% at endline from 61.1% but was not significant (t = 2.197, df=2, P = 0.159). There was significant number of male youth in intervention county who had two or more concurrent sexual partners at 13.7% compared to female at 6.4%(P=0.003). Concurrent partnership by gender among youth in comparison county was higher among men at 32.4% compared to female at 11.4% but was not significant (0.091). The findings from the study will inform national rollout of the HIV prevention information package to contribute to safer sexual behaviors among young people.},
year = {2025}
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SN - 2575-5781
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20251104.16
AB - HIV remains the most significant public health and development challenge in the world. In sub-Saharan African countries, young people aged 15-24 years are bearing the biggest brunt. The United Nations framework for addressing the epidemic among young people who bear the high burden of HIV globally calls for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education. Despite the availability of widening array of HIV prevention tools and methods, new infections among youth in Kenya only reduced by 59% between 2015 and 2019. The percentage of young men aged 15-24 years who had two or more sexual partners who reported using condoms during the last sexual intercourse was higher at 63.5% compared to young women of the same age group at 35.5%. Various HIV prevention interventions have been implemented among the Young People with little assessment of their effectiveness in reducing new HIV infections. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of comprehensive HIV prevention information package on number of concurrent sexual partners among young people aged 15-24 years in Kakamega and Kericho counties, Kenya. To achieve this, a non-randomised control trial was conducted using a structured questionnaire. It involved purposively selecting Kakamega as intervention and Kericho as Comparison County. Consenting young people residing in these counties were the study subjects. The pretest questionnaire was administered in both intervention and control counties in November - December, 2021. The posttest questionnaire was administered in both counties after nine months of providing HIV prevention information package in the intervention county. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi square, t-test). The number of youths who had two or more sexual partners reduced at endline to 17.6% from 23.7% in intervention county. Similar reduction was also noted in comparison County, where the number reduced to 36.6% at endline from 61.1% but was not significant (t = 2.197, df=2, P = 0.159). There was significant number of male youth in intervention county who had two or more concurrent sexual partners at 13.7% compared to female at 6.4%(P=0.003). Concurrent partnership by gender among youth in comparison county was higher among men at 32.4% compared to female at 11.4% but was not significant (0.091). The findings from the study will inform national rollout of the HIV prevention information package to contribute to safer sexual behaviors among young people.
VL - 11
IS - 4
ER -
Khasewa, J., Mwanzo, I., Orago, A. (2025). Effect of Comprehensive HIV Prevention Information Package on Number of Concurrent Sexual Partners Among Youth in Kenya. Central African Journal of Public Health, 11(4), 201-209. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20251104.16
Khasewa, J.; Mwanzo, I.; Orago, A. Effect of Comprehensive HIV Prevention Information Package on Number of Concurrent Sexual Partners Among Youth in Kenya. Cent. Afr. J. Public Health2025, 11(4), 201-209. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20251104.16
Khasewa J, Mwanzo I, Orago A. Effect of Comprehensive HIV Prevention Information Package on Number of Concurrent Sexual Partners Among Youth in Kenya. Cent Afr J Public Health. 2025;11(4):201-209. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20251104.16
@article{10.11648/j.cajph.20251104.16,
author = {Joab Khasewa and Isaac Mwanzo and Alloys Orago},
title = {Effect of Comprehensive HIV Prevention Information Package on Number of Concurrent Sexual Partners Among Youth in Kenya
},
journal = {Central African Journal of Public Health},
volume = {11},
number = {4},
pages = {201-209},
doi = {10.11648/j.cajph.20251104.16},
url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20251104.16},
eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cajph.20251104.16},
abstract = {HIV remains the most significant public health and development challenge in the world. In sub-Saharan African countries, young people aged 15-24 years are bearing the biggest brunt. The United Nations framework for addressing the epidemic among young people who bear the high burden of HIV globally calls for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education. Despite the availability of widening array of HIV prevention tools and methods, new infections among youth in Kenya only reduced by 59% between 2015 and 2019. The percentage of young men aged 15-24 years who had two or more sexual partners who reported using condoms during the last sexual intercourse was higher at 63.5% compared to young women of the same age group at 35.5%. Various HIV prevention interventions have been implemented among the Young People with little assessment of their effectiveness in reducing new HIV infections. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of comprehensive HIV prevention information package on number of concurrent sexual partners among young people aged 15-24 years in Kakamega and Kericho counties, Kenya. To achieve this, a non-randomised control trial was conducted using a structured questionnaire. It involved purposively selecting Kakamega as intervention and Kericho as Comparison County. Consenting young people residing in these counties were the study subjects. The pretest questionnaire was administered in both intervention and control counties in November - December, 2021. The posttest questionnaire was administered in both counties after nine months of providing HIV prevention information package in the intervention county. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi square, t-test). The number of youths who had two or more sexual partners reduced at endline to 17.6% from 23.7% in intervention county. Similar reduction was also noted in comparison County, where the number reduced to 36.6% at endline from 61.1% but was not significant (t = 2.197, df=2, P = 0.159). There was significant number of male youth in intervention county who had two or more concurrent sexual partners at 13.7% compared to female at 6.4%(P=0.003). Concurrent partnership by gender among youth in comparison county was higher among men at 32.4% compared to female at 11.4% but was not significant (0.091). The findings from the study will inform national rollout of the HIV prevention information package to contribute to safer sexual behaviors among young people.},
year = {2025}
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Effect of Comprehensive HIV Prevention Information Package on Number of Concurrent Sexual Partners Among Youth in Kenya
AU - Joab Khasewa
AU - Isaac Mwanzo
AU - Alloys Orago
Y1 - 2025/07/30
PY - 2025
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20251104.16
DO - 10.11648/j.cajph.20251104.16
T2 - Central African Journal of Public Health
JF - Central African Journal of Public Health
JO - Central African Journal of Public Health
SP - 201
EP - 209
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2575-5781
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20251104.16
AB - HIV remains the most significant public health and development challenge in the world. In sub-Saharan African countries, young people aged 15-24 years are bearing the biggest brunt. The United Nations framework for addressing the epidemic among young people who bear the high burden of HIV globally calls for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education. Despite the availability of widening array of HIV prevention tools and methods, new infections among youth in Kenya only reduced by 59% between 2015 and 2019. The percentage of young men aged 15-24 years who had two or more sexual partners who reported using condoms during the last sexual intercourse was higher at 63.5% compared to young women of the same age group at 35.5%. Various HIV prevention interventions have been implemented among the Young People with little assessment of their effectiveness in reducing new HIV infections. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of comprehensive HIV prevention information package on number of concurrent sexual partners among young people aged 15-24 years in Kakamega and Kericho counties, Kenya. To achieve this, a non-randomised control trial was conducted using a structured questionnaire. It involved purposively selecting Kakamega as intervention and Kericho as Comparison County. Consenting young people residing in these counties were the study subjects. The pretest questionnaire was administered in both intervention and control counties in November - December, 2021. The posttest questionnaire was administered in both counties after nine months of providing HIV prevention information package in the intervention county. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi square, t-test). The number of youths who had two or more sexual partners reduced at endline to 17.6% from 23.7% in intervention county. Similar reduction was also noted in comparison County, where the number reduced to 36.6% at endline from 61.1% but was not significant (t = 2.197, df=2, P = 0.159). There was significant number of male youth in intervention county who had two or more concurrent sexual partners at 13.7% compared to female at 6.4%(P=0.003). Concurrent partnership by gender among youth in comparison county was higher among men at 32.4% compared to female at 11.4% but was not significant (0.091). The findings from the study will inform national rollout of the HIV prevention information package to contribute to safer sexual behaviors among young people.
VL - 11
IS - 4
ER -
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