Citation

Balmer DH, Gikundi E, Billingsley MC, Kihuho FG, Kimani M, Wang'ondu J, Njoroge H. J. Adolesc. Health 1997; 21(1): 33-38.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University of Nairobi, Kenya.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9215508

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to investigate the experiences and knowledge of adolescents living in an urban center in Kenya and to understand how the decisions they make affect their physical and psychological health. METHODS: A sample of 216 adolescents was drawn and they met weekly in small groups with trained facilitators for a period of 6 months. A research team monitored the developments of the groups and the topics they discussed. The findings were corroborated by the adolescents. RESULTS: It was found that adolescents were primarily concerned with developing a coherent and consistent set of personal values which would govern their behavior. Unfortunately, they could not always achieve those values and they resorted to dysfunctional coping strategies which were injurious to their health. CONCLUSIONS: The role of the adolescent in developing countries is complex and poorly defined. In a period of unprecedented change, an urgent and comprehensive review is necessary by all sections of society if the health of this group is to improve.This study investigated the experiences and knowledge of adolescents in Nairobi, Kenya to understand how the decisions they make affect their health. Data were gathered from a sample of 216 youths aged 12-22 years (equally divided between males and females) who lived in lower socioeconomic areas. The youth met in groups of 12 over a period of 6 months. An equal number of groups were all male, all female, and mixed. The educational distribution of the participants varied according to age and was normal for Nairobi. Each group met with a qualified counselor who facilitated discussion. The minutes of the group meetings provided qualitative data. During the first 6 weeks of meetings, the facilitators led the groups through a series of exercises to create an atmosphere in which the youth felt free to express themselves. During the 20-week second stage, an open agenda was used, and the facilitators restricted their role to clarifying issues and resolving conflicts. The topics, which were ranked according to the percentage of time they consumed, included (in order) emerging sexuality, drugs, alcohol, pregnancy, rape (many of the girls were victims and some of the boys were perpetuators), suicide, marriage, religion, abortion, sexually transmitted diseases/AIDS, parents, contraceptives, money, masturbation, lying, politics, language, and leisure/sports. Values expressed in order of importance were parental love, education, honesty, employment, religion, money, personal freedom, friendship, beauty, marriage, and politics. Coping strategies were use of drugs, stealing, masturbation, alcohol, providing sex for favors, noncooperation, lying, secret language, clubs, silence, religion, and exercise/sports. It is concluded that social changes in developing countries have exacerbated the ambiguity experienced by adolescents and that a comprehensive review of adolescents is necessary in order to improve their health.

Language: en