Inconsistencies in Self-Reporting of Sexual Activity Among Young People in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

PurposeAccurate and reliable data on the prevalence of adolescents' sexual behavior are paramount for effective sexual and reproductive health intervention. Adolescents' sexual behavior has been widely studied. However, scholars have raised concerns about the accuracy and reliability of self-reported sexual behavior by adolescents. Previous research shows high levels of adolescent sexual activity in urban informal settlements; yet, the accuracy of self-reported sexual experience in these settings is understudied.MethodsThe objective of this article is to assess consistency of self-reported sexual activity among 2324 adolescents living in slum and nonslum settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. We examine two forms of inconsistencies, namely, what we term “reborn virgins” and inconsistent timing of sexual debut, during two rounds of survey. Factors influencing inconsistent reporting are explored through logistic regression.ResultsA total of 469 (20%) adolescents gave inconsistent information on whether they have ever had sex (n = 190) or timing of first intercourse (n = 279). Males, slum residents, and adolescents attending school were more likely to give inconsistent sexual information. Among inconsistent reporters, slum residents, adolescents reporting substance use, and those with secondary (vs. primary) education were more likely to reclaim virginity status than to misreport the timing of first sex. However, older adolescents were less likely to reclaim virginity status.ConclusionsWe found significant differences between adolescents who provide consistent reports and those who misreport sexual behavior data. We argue that researchers should account for biases stemming from misreporting of sensitive information among young people and, in particular, should be cognizant of how reporting quality may vary across demographic groups.

Discordance of HIV and HSV-2 biomarkers and self-reported sexual behaviour among orphan adolescents in Western Kenya

“…However, across three waves of surveys, 37% of respondents—12% of girls and 65% of boys—responded inconsistently about the timing of their sexual debut 17. In a Kenyan study of adolescents aged 12–19 years (49% of whom were sexually active), 20% gave inconsistent reports about lifetime sexual intercourse and timing of first sexual intercourse,16 and in South Africa, 40% of sexually active adolescents inconsistently reported lifetime sexual experience 18…”

How Reliable Are Reports of Early Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health Events in Demographic and Health Surveys?

“…Beguy et al emphasize the importance of ensuring privacy during the interview. 15 Interviewers could benefit from additional training and support to create spaces in settings that are crowded or that lack privacy. Some studies have found that reducing the potential for women aged 15-19 across surveys.…”

“…[2][3][4] The reporting of the initiation of sexual activity and of the timing of early marriage and childbirth during adolescence may be particularly prone to social desirability bias. Beguy et al's study in Nairobi 15 found that approximately half of adolescents misreported or inconsistently reported sexual experience. The authors argue that while pressure may be felt by young men to overreport sexual experience during adolescence, the opposite is more likely for female respondents, given negative attitudes toward women having sex at a young age or outside of marriage.…”

Prevalência de sinais e sintomas e conhecimento sobre doenças sexualmente transmissíveis

“…(9)(10)(11) In Brazil, no study was identified with this emerging social group. Identifying factors related to the vulnerability of this population for STDs can assist health professionals in the development of interventions to prevent and control these infections among this segment of the population that is, because of its condition of dispersion and urban segregation, is at the margins of public health services.…”