Association Between Individual, Socio-Cultural Factors and Sexual Activity Patterns Among Students at KMTC Nakuru.

Abstract

Background: College students face significant reproductive health risks, including unintended pregnancies and STIs, often driven by the transition to autonomous campus life. At Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), Nakuru Campus, students navigate a unique intersection of medical knowledge and prevailing socio-cultural pressures. This study investigated the association between individual, social, and cultural factors and sexual activity patterns among these healthcare trainees.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed. Stratified random sampling was used to select 105 students across various years of study. Data were collected using a secure, electronic self-administered questionnaire to ensure privacy and data integrity. Analysis involved descriptive statistics to identify prevalence and correlate behavioral drivers.
Results: the study population was predominantly female (68.6%) and aged 22–24 years (66.7%). Findings revealed a high prevalence of sexual engagement, with 61.9% of respondents reporting being sexually active. While 92.4% claimed to possess sexual health knowledge, 52.4% admitted that gaps in specific knowledge drive risky behaviors. Among sexually active students, curiosity was the primary individual driver (92.3%), followed by a significant 100% correlation between substance use (alcohol/drugs) and sexual decision-making. Socially, 84.8% of participants identified peer pressure as a catalyst for sexual behavior, while 83.8% linked exposure to sexual content to increased activity. Economically, 44.8% of respondents noted that financial challenges influence student sexual involvement.
Conclusion: Despite high general health literacy, KMTC Nakuru students remain highly susceptible to behavioral drivers such as curiosity, substance use, and peer influence. The gap between theoretical knowledge and practical risk reduction suggests a need for student-centered sexual health interventions that address the social and economic realities of campus life.