Influence of Sexual Norms on Risky Sexual Behaviours among Undergraduate Students from selected Universities in Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

This study’s purpose was to examine the influence of sexual norms on risky sexual behaviours on risky sexual behaviours among undergraduate students of main campuses in Nakuru County. Social Learning Theory by Albert Bandura and Person-Centred Theory by Carl Rogers guided the study. The study was carried out among 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th-year undergraduate students from main campuses in Nakuru County. The study adopted a correlational research design. The target population was 18570 undergraduate students. The accessible population was 8456 constituted of 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th-year undergraduate students whose sample was 367. Respondents were selected by applying the simple random sampling technique. The study included a sample of 10 peer counsellors and 2 student counsellors from the Egerton University and Kabarak University main campuses who were selected through purposive sampling. Data were obtained using a questionnaire for undergraduate students, focus group discussions guide for peer counsellors and interview schedule for student counsellors. Validation of research instruments was done through peer and expert review and also through pilot testing, which was done in Mount Kenya University (MKU) - Nakuru Campus. Quantitative data was analysed by both inferential and descriptive statistics using SPSS Version 25, whereas the qualitative data was analysed thematically. The analysed data was presented in tables, graphs, and narratives. The findings indicated that the majority of the respondents were of the view that sexual norms influence risky sexual behaviours among undergraduate students.