Counties Where Women, Men Have Never Had Sex- Govt Report

This is according to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022 (KDHS) findings published by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) on Monday, July 3.

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Jul 3, 2023 - 15:42
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Counties Where Women, Men Have Never Had Sex- Govt Report
A couple cuddling in bed. /FILE

Contrary to popular opinion that the topic of sex unites a whole country, there are some counties in Kenya where men and women have never had intercourse in their lives.

This is according to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022 (KDHS) findings published by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) on Monday, July 3.

In terms of women, Wajir County was found to have the most number of women who have never had intercourse at 32.2 per cent.

This was followed by Garissa at 31.7 per cent, Vihiga at 26.1 per cent and Mandera at 25.2 per cent, with the top 4 counties, except Vihiga, making up most of the North Eastern region.

A couple in bed. /FILE

Kwale, Isiolo and Kilifi came in fifth, sixth and seventh with 24.8 per cent (Kwale & Isiolo) and 22.4 per cent. Busia, Nyandarua and Kitui rounded off the top 10 for women who have never had intercourse.

For men, the North Eastern region dominated again, with those in Mandera, Garissa and Wajir claiming the top three at 44.7 per cent, 42.6 per cent and 36.3 per cent. Tana River and Kakamega (31.1 per cent and 31 per cent respectively) rounded off the top five.

Busia came sixth at 29.5 per cent, with Siaya, Lamu, Vihiga and Nyandarua completing the top 10.

Men & Women Having Sex Within 4 Weeks & 12 Months

The report in comparison shed light on the percentage of women and men in the country who have had sex within the last month. The top county in this category for women went to Narok at 57.6 per cent while for men, West Pokot emerged top at 69.6 per cent.

Across the country, 48.4 per cent of women and 50 per cent of men between ages 15-49 have had sexual intercourse with a person who was neither their husband, wife, or co-habiting partner in the last month.

Narok County again recorded the highest percentage (43 per cent) of men who had two or more sexual partners in the last 12 months, while Kirinyaga, Kericho and Garissa counties had the lowest percentage with 2 per cent each.

Murang’a County recorded the highest percentage (11 per cent) of women who had two or more sexual partners in the last 12 months, while counties with the lowest percentage are Mandera, Tana River and Kwale counties with less than one per cent each.

Nationwide, 19 per cent of women and 35 per cent of men between ages 15-49 have had sexual intercourse with a person who was neither their husband, wife, or co-habiting partner in the last 12 months.

Protection & Choice Of Partners

37 per cent of women have used protection during intercourse while the male percentage stands at 68 per cent. The percentage of women within the same bracket increases depending on the wealth quintile as 14 per cent interacted with partners from the lower quantile while 22 per cent chose those in the highest quintile.

The level of education was also a determinant in choosing a partner as seven per cent of women interacted with those without education and 27 per cent interacted with those with secondary and above education. 

Similarly, the same pattern was reflected with men as 20 per cent interacted with persons without education as compared to 43 per cent who chose partners with secondary and above education.

A packet of condoms. /BBC

The median age at first sexual intercourse was revealed to be lower among women aged 25–49 in rural areas than among those in urban areas (17.1 years versus 18.8 years).

"There has been a gradual decline in the percentage of both women and men age 25–49 who had first sexual intercourse by age 18. For women, the percentage declined from 67% in 1998 to 52%, and for men, from 63% in 1998 to 54% in 2022," read the report in part.

Median Age For First Sexual Intercourse

Among women aged 25–49, the median age at first sexual intercourse increases with the level of education; from 16.2 years among those with no education to 20.3 years among those with more than secondary education.

Counties with the highest median age at first sexual intercourse among women aged 25–49 were revealed to be Mombasa (19.6 years), Nyeri (19.4 years), and Kiambu (19.3 years), while counties with the lowest median age are Samburu (15.6 years), West Pokot (15.7 years), Homa Bay (15.7 years), Kericho (15.8 years), Migori (15.8 years), and Nyamira (15.9 years)

Among men aged 25–54, the counties with the highest median age at first sexual intercourse were revealed to be Mandera (24.9 years), Wajir (22.4 years), Garissa (22.3 years) and Kirinyaga (22.1 years), while the counties with the lowest median age are West Pokot (15.4 years), Kericho (15.7 years), Elgeyo-Marakwet (15.7 years), Machakos (15.7 years), Nakuru (15.7 years) and Tharaka-Nithi (15.7 years).

How Survey Was Done

The latest KDHS data was implemented by KNBS in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders, with data collection carried out from February 17 to July 31, 2022.

The sample for the 2022 KDHS report was drawn from the Kenya Household Master Sample Frame (K-HMSF). The sample size was computed at 42,300 households, with 25 households selected per cluster, which resulted in 1,692 clusters spread across the country, 1,026 clusters in rural areas, and 666 in urban areas.

It was also done through a questionnaire where they used the household questionnaire, the woman’s questionnaire, the man’s questionnaire, and the biomarker questionnaire. 

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