| Peer-Reviewed

Factors Influencing Early Sexual Practices Among Secondary Schools Teenage Girls in Mvomero District, Tanzania

Received: 2 August 2022     Accepted: 31 August 2022     Published: 16 September 2022
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

This study was guided with the general Objective which is to identify the factors influencing early sexual practices among secondary schools’ teenage girls in Mvomero District. A descriptive design based on qualitative approach was used in this study. Only Primary data were used. The primary data was collected using interviews, A sample of 60 respondents, (30 dropped out of school students, 10 heads of school, 10 school body member and 10 community leaders,) was drawn from the target population. Purposive sampling technique and snowball technique was used in this study. Purposive sampling was used in selecting head of the schools, school body member and community leaders while snowball technique were used in finding dropped out of the school students. Data were analyzed using content analysis. The study revealed that there are risk factors that influencing day secondary school teenage students’ girls who used to leave in rented room and those who travel long distance to reach the school, to engage in early sexual practices while they are in schools. Factor like poor economic of the family, lack of sexual and reproductive health, long distance from home to school, Night Music ceremonies (Vigodolo) and poor parent supervision were found. Also the study found that the girls are in risk of being affected by the different situations after being expelled out of the schools, most of them facing challenges like early marriage, poor living condition, becoming single mothers and even being in risk of getting sexual transmitted diseases. On the strategies made on putting better environment for the girls to study well, the study found some of the efforts made by the communities and schools as well as government on reducing risk factors to early sexual experiences to teenagers, efforts like increasing number of secondary schools, building dormitories and provision of sexual and reproductive health in schools were mentioned. The study concluded that there is a need for the government o have look on the provision of better environment to secondary schools so that to accommodate girls’ students, this is due to that, most of girls especially those who travel long distance and those who prefer to live in rent room around the school are in risk of entering in risk sexual practices hence getting pregnant.

Published in Social Sciences (Volume 11, Issue 5)
DOI 10.11648/j.ss.20221105.17
Page(s) 308-320
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Early Sexual Experiences, Reproductive Health, Teenagers

References
[1] Ahikire, I. (2009). The theory of Planned Behaviour: Organizational Behaviour and Human Decision Processes, 50/5, 179-211.
[2] Nabaggala, J. (2014). Factors Influencing Early Sexual Practices among Secondary Schools Teenagers in Nakaseke District.
[3] Dixon Mueller, R., Byrant, B. &Pasch, K. (2003) “Tracing the Roots of Early Sexual Debutamong Youths in Psychiatric Care”, Journal of the American Academy of Children and Youth Psychiatry, 5/3 196-203.
[4] UNESCO (2011) EFA Global Monitoring Report 2006: Education for All Literacy for Life. Paris.
[5] Odimegwu, C. (2005) “Influence of Religion on Adolescent Sexual Attitude and Behavior among Nigerian University Students”. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 9/2, 125-140.org/Portals/0/Uploads/Documents/Public/RIA_Strategic_Plan_1-12.pdf [Accessed: 06/06/2012]. pregnancy prevention [Online]. Available from: http://www.rialliance. Pryitono, E. (2006) Psokologi Perkembangan Remeja. Pandang. Angkasa Raya.
[6] Garbarino, K. (2011) “Theoretical Perspectives on Female Sexual practice in Africa: A Review and Conceptual Model”, African Journal of Reproductive Health, 1/2, 67-78.
[7] Aminian A, & SeyedMirzayi SM. (2010) “A Sociological Study of Base Factors of Family and School in the Tendency of Teenage Girls Toward Sexually Deviant Behavior and Addiction,” Journal of Family Research. 12/3, 313-34.
[8] Tanhaei HA, Ghasemi Z, & Asadollahi S. (2013) Sexual Taboo and its’ Affection Factors (A Case Study of the Youth in Tehran). Quarterly The Sociology of the Youth Studies 9-22.
[9] WHO (2012) Early marriages, adolescent and young pregnancies sixty fifth world health assembly.
[10] Hakielimu, (2021) sexual and reproductive healty and right, A study of policy and practice in primary and secondary school in. Hakielimu. Tanzania.
[11] UNFPA. (2013) Adolescent Pregnancy: A Review of the Evidence, New York: UNFPA.
[12] CARE (2010) CARE to Congress: End Child Marriage and Protect Human Rights for Girls around the World. CARE, 15 July 2010, www.care.org/newsroom/
[13] Nove, Andrea. (2014) “Maternal Mortality in Adolescents Compared with Women of Other Ages: Evidence from 144 Countries”. The Lancet Global Health 2/3, 155–164.
[14] WHO (2014) Adolescent Pregnancy, Fact Sheet 364, www.who.int/media centre/factsheets/fs364/en.
[15] UNICEF 2014. Ending Child Marriage: Progress and Prospects. New York: UNICEF.
[16] Berg, A. C., Melaville, A., & Shah, B. P. (2003) Making the Difference: Research and Practice in Public Schools. Washington DC: Coalition for Community Schools.
[17] Nasiri, M. (2002) Sexual Devience, causes and bases. Social Welfare. 2/1, 187-220.
[18] Soliemaninia, L., Jazayeri, A. & Mohammadkhani, P. (2006) “Role of Mental Health on Occurrence of High-Risk Behavior among Adolescents”, Social Welfare Quarterly, 5/3, 75-90.
[19] Uche, R. (2013). ‘Dropout syndrome among girls in secondary schools and human resources development in Nigeria’ in Journal of Education and Practice 4 (2). https://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JEP/article/viewFile/4065/4100
[20] Brown, G. (2012). Out of wedlock, into school: Combatting child marriage through education. Office of Gordon and Sarah Brown. http://educationenvoy.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ChildMarriage.pdf
[21] UNESCO (2017). Early and unintended pregnancy and the education sector: Evidence review and recommendations. UNESCO. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0025/002515/251509E.pdf
[22] Long, C. (2007) “Parents in the Picture: Building Relationships that Last beyond Back to School Night”, NEA Today, 3/26, 26-31.
[23] Rich, D. (1987) Teachers and Parents: an Adult-to-adult Approach. Washington, DC: National Education Association.
[24] Brook T, Murphey D (1999). What works: preventing teen pregnancy in your community [Online]. Available from: http://humanservices.vermont.gov/publications/reports-whatworks/ww-teenpreg
[25] Mattson J (2012). Changing the lens: a reframed approach to teen pregnancy prevention [Online]. Available from: http://www.rialliance.org/Portals/0/Uploads/Documents/Public/RIA_Strategic_Plan_1-12.pdf
[26] Bongaarts John. Can family planning programs affect high desired family size in sub-Saharan Africa? International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health. 2011: 37 (4): 209–216.
[27] Okello AL, Bardosh K, Smith J, Welburn SC (2014) One Health: Past Successes and Future Challenges in Three African Contexts. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 8 (5): e2884. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0002884
[28] Adongo, B. W. (2018). Assessing factors influencing early sexual initiation among adolescents (13 to 19 years) in Ghana: a qualitative study. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 11 (1), 53-60.
[29] Djamba, Y. K., & Davis, L. S. (2007). The protective effect of male circumcision on HIV infection in a sample of Kenyan men. African Journal of AIDS Research, 6 (3), 199–204. https://doi.org/10.2989/16085900709490415
[30] Gupta, N. and Mahy, M. (2003) Sexual Initiation among Adolescent Girls and Boys: Trends and Differentials in Sub-Saharan Africa. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 32, 41-53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1021841312539
[31] Kabiru CW, Orpinas P. (2009) Correlates of Condom Use Among Male High School Students in Nairobi Kenya. Journal of School Health. 2009; 79 (9): 425–432. PubMed: 19691717.
[32] O’Hara DM, Xu Y, Liang Z, Reddy MP, Wu DY, Litwin V. (2012) Recommendations for the validation of flow cytometric testing during drug development: II assays. J ImmunolMethods. 2011; 363 (2): 120–134. doi: 10.1016/j.jim.2010.09.036. [PubMed].
[33] Halman, L, Pettersson, T, Verweij, JA (1999). The religious factor in contemporary society: The differential impact of religion on the private and public sphere in comparative perspective. International Journal of Comparative Sociology 40 (1): 141–160.
[34] Ikamari L. & Towett R. (2008): “Sexual initiation and contraceptive use among female youthsin Kenya” African Journal of Health Sciences.
[35] Guèye MT, Seck D, Wathelet J-P, Lognay G (2011). Lutte contre les ravageurs des stocks de céréales et de légumineuses au Sénégal et en Afrique occidentale: une revue. Biotechnol. Agron. Soc. Environ., 15 (1): 187-198.
[36] Psaki, S. (2012). ‘Addressing child marriage and adolescent pregnancy as barriers to gender parity and equality in education’ in Prospects 46 (1) p. 109-129.
[37] Mbelwa, C., Isangula, K. (2012). Teen pregnancy: Children having children in Tanzania. Available at SSRN 2028369.
[38] Haki Elimu (2019). Annual Report. Haki Elimu, Dar Es Salaam.
[39] Neema, S., Ahmed, F., Kibombo, R., and Bankole, A. (2006). Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health in Uganda: Results from the 2004. National Survey of Adolescents. Report No. 25. New York: Guttmacher Institute.150pp.
[40] Bangser, Maggie. (2012). A Programming Frame work for Working with Adolescent Girls. Retrieved from http://www.gov.go.tz/egov_uploads/documents/A_Programming_framework_for_working_sw.pdf
[41] NGTF - National Guidelines Task Force. (1996). Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education - Kindergarten-12th Grade, 2nd Edition. New York: Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States.
[42] Marantz, S. & Coates, S. (1991). Mothers of boys with gender identity disorder: A comparison of matched controls. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 30 (2), 310–315.
[43] Morara, A. N., & Chemwei, B. (2013). Drop out among pupils in rural primary schools in Kenya: The case of Nandi north district, Kenya. Journal of education and practice, 4 (15).
[44] Brown, P. H., and Park, A. (2002). Education and Poverty in Rural China. Econ. Educ. Rev. 21 (6), 523–541. doi: 10.1016/s0272-7757(01)00040-1.
[45] Jones, L., & Wells, K. (2007). Strategies for Academic and Clinician Engagement in Community-Participatory Partnered Research. Jama, 297 (4).
[46] Laugharn, P. (2007). Negotiating ‘Education for Many’: Enrolment, dropout and persistence in the community schools of Kolondieba, Mali. Create Pathways to Access Research Monograph No 14. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/57a08c05e5274a27b2000f19/PTA14.pdf
[47] Myers, J. and Harvey, R. (2011). Early and forced marriage and girls’ education. Plan. https://plan-uk.org/file/breaking-vows-efm-3462225p
[48] Minja A, et al. (2021) Factors hindering integration of care for non-communicable diseases within HIV care services in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: The perspectives of health workers and people living with HIV. PLoS ONE 16 (8): e0254436. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254436.
[49] Leslie-Harwit, (1989) Sexually Transmitted Diseases: January - Volume 16 - Issue 1 - p 15-20.
[50] David Silverman (2006). Interpreting Qualitative Data: Methods for Analysing Talk, Text and Interaction (Third edition). London: Sage, XV + 428 pages, ISBN 9781412922449 (Hardcover) £70.00, ISBN 9781412922456 (Paperback) £22.99.
[51] Ahmad Kainuwa, Najeemah Binti Mohammad Yusuf (2018); Influence of Socio-Economic and Educational Background of Parents on their Children’s Education in Nigeria; Int J Sci Res Publ 3 (10) (ISSN: 2250-3153). http://www.ijsrp.org/research-paper-1013.php?rp=P221870
[52] Fernandes, A. M., Fero, K., Arrenberg, A. B., Bergeron, S. A., Driever, W., & Burgess, H. A. (2012). Deep brain photoreceptors control light-seeking behavior in zebrafish larvae. Current biology: CB, 22 (21), 2042–2047. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2012.08.016
[53] URT (United Republic of Tanzania), (1998). Strategic Framework for The third Medium Term Plan for Prevention and control of HIV/AIDS/STDS 1998-2992. Ministry of Health, Tanzania. Dar- es-salaam.1-12 pp.
[54] Kassahun, E. A., Zeleke, L. B., Dessie, A. A. et al. Factors associated with unintended pregnancy among women attending antenatal care in Maichew Town, Northern Ethiopia, 2017. BMC Res Notes 12, 381 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-019-4419-5
[55] Mansfield, K. C.; Fowler, B.; Rainbolt, S. (2018). The Potential of Restorative Practices to Ameliorate Discipline Gaps: The Story of One High School’s Leadership Team. Educ. Adm. Q. 2018, 54, 303–323.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Habibu Athumani Mzeri, Eugenia Lucas Wandela. (2022). Factors Influencing Early Sexual Practices Among Secondary Schools Teenage Girls in Mvomero District, Tanzania. Social Sciences, 11(5), 308-320. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20221105.17

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Habibu Athumani Mzeri; Eugenia Lucas Wandela. Factors Influencing Early Sexual Practices Among Secondary Schools Teenage Girls in Mvomero District, Tanzania. Soc. Sci. 2022, 11(5), 308-320. doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20221105.17

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Habibu Athumani Mzeri, Eugenia Lucas Wandela. Factors Influencing Early Sexual Practices Among Secondary Schools Teenage Girls in Mvomero District, Tanzania. Soc Sci. 2022;11(5):308-320. doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20221105.17

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ss.20221105.17,
      author = {Habibu Athumani Mzeri and Eugenia Lucas Wandela},
      title = {Factors Influencing Early Sexual Practices Among Secondary Schools Teenage Girls in Mvomero District, Tanzania},
      journal = {Social Sciences},
      volume = {11},
      number = {5},
      pages = {308-320},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ss.20221105.17},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20221105.17},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ss.20221105.17},
      abstract = {This study was guided with the general Objective which is to identify the factors influencing early sexual practices among secondary schools’ teenage girls in Mvomero District. A descriptive design based on qualitative approach was used in this study. Only Primary data were used. The primary data was collected using interviews, A sample of 60 respondents, (30 dropped out of school students, 10 heads of school, 10 school body member and 10 community leaders,) was drawn from the target population. Purposive sampling technique and snowball technique was used in this study. Purposive sampling was used in selecting head of the schools, school body member and community leaders while snowball technique were used in finding dropped out of the school students. Data were analyzed using content analysis. The study revealed that there are risk factors that influencing day secondary school teenage students’ girls who used to leave in rented room and those who travel long distance to reach the school, to engage in early sexual practices while they are in schools. Factor like poor economic of the family, lack of sexual and reproductive health, long distance from home to school, Night Music ceremonies (Vigodolo) and poor parent supervision were found. Also the study found that the girls are in risk of being affected by the different situations after being expelled out of the schools, most of them facing challenges like early marriage, poor living condition, becoming single mothers and even being in risk of getting sexual transmitted diseases. On the strategies made on putting better environment for the girls to study well, the study found some of the efforts made by the communities and schools as well as government on reducing risk factors to early sexual experiences to teenagers, efforts like increasing number of secondary schools, building dormitories and provision of sexual and reproductive health in schools were mentioned. The study concluded that there is a need for the government o have look on the provision of better environment to secondary schools so that to accommodate girls’ students, this is due to that, most of girls especially those who travel long distance and those who prefer to live in rent room around the school are in risk of entering in risk sexual practices hence getting pregnant.},
     year = {2022}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Factors Influencing Early Sexual Practices Among Secondary Schools Teenage Girls in Mvomero District, Tanzania
    AU  - Habibu Athumani Mzeri
    AU  - Eugenia Lucas Wandela
    Y1  - 2022/09/16
    PY  - 2022
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20221105.17
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ss.20221105.17
    T2  - Social Sciences
    JF  - Social Sciences
    JO  - Social Sciences
    SP  - 308
    EP  - 320
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2326-988X
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20221105.17
    AB  - This study was guided with the general Objective which is to identify the factors influencing early sexual practices among secondary schools’ teenage girls in Mvomero District. A descriptive design based on qualitative approach was used in this study. Only Primary data were used. The primary data was collected using interviews, A sample of 60 respondents, (30 dropped out of school students, 10 heads of school, 10 school body member and 10 community leaders,) was drawn from the target population. Purposive sampling technique and snowball technique was used in this study. Purposive sampling was used in selecting head of the schools, school body member and community leaders while snowball technique were used in finding dropped out of the school students. Data were analyzed using content analysis. The study revealed that there are risk factors that influencing day secondary school teenage students’ girls who used to leave in rented room and those who travel long distance to reach the school, to engage in early sexual practices while they are in schools. Factor like poor economic of the family, lack of sexual and reproductive health, long distance from home to school, Night Music ceremonies (Vigodolo) and poor parent supervision were found. Also the study found that the girls are in risk of being affected by the different situations after being expelled out of the schools, most of them facing challenges like early marriage, poor living condition, becoming single mothers and even being in risk of getting sexual transmitted diseases. On the strategies made on putting better environment for the girls to study well, the study found some of the efforts made by the communities and schools as well as government on reducing risk factors to early sexual experiences to teenagers, efforts like increasing number of secondary schools, building dormitories and provision of sexual and reproductive health in schools were mentioned. The study concluded that there is a need for the government o have look on the provision of better environment to secondary schools so that to accommodate girls’ students, this is due to that, most of girls especially those who travel long distance and those who prefer to live in rent room around the school are in risk of entering in risk sexual practices hence getting pregnant.
    VL  - 11
    IS  - 5
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Department of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, Jordan University College, Morogoro, Tanzania

  • Department of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, Jordan University College, Morogoro, Tanzania

  • Sections