Moderating effects of age gender and orphan hood on Social Exclusion and Sexual risk-taking Behaviors associated with HIV/AIDS among youth in Bondo District, Kenya

Abstract

Numerous studies on adolescents have explored factors associated with sexual risk-taking behaviors among youth. However, few studies have examined the link between social exclusion of youth in social and sexual matters and sexual risk-taking behaviors associated with HIV/AIDS infection. This study was carried out using cross sectional design among 365 students randomly selected in secondary school in Bondo District, Kenya in order to determine the link between social exclusion and sexual risk-taking behavior associated with HIV/AIDS infection. The study also examined the moderating effect of age, gender and orphanhood on the relationship between social exclusion and sexual risk-taking behaviors. The findings of the study revealed positive correlation between social exclusion and sexual risk-taking behavior associated with HIV/AIDS infection. The study found out that age, gender and orphanhood moderates the relationship between social exclusion and sexual risk-taking behavior. Conclusion drawn from the study was that an increase in exclusion of youth on basis of age, gender and orphanhood could hamper efforts to slow down the spread of HIV infection in successive generations. Current best practice emphasizes the need for multilevel inclusion of youth in the family, schools, church and societal decision making processes in social and sexual matters that affect them.