Major Causes and Perpetrators of Sexual Activities Among Teenage Students in Tanzania: A Cross Sectional Survey in Kinondoni District
Romantic relationships involving students and significantly older adults have proven to be prevalent in Tanzania despite the fact that the sexual offences act forbids sexual relations with minors, it has been observed that, teenage students are being seduced into sexual relations at tender ages which results into negative outcomes. This study sought to explore the causes of sexual intercourse among students and to identify the people who perpetrate these relationships. We used a descriptive cross sectional design with the aid of pre tested questionnaires to collect data from randomly selected samples of 407 students and 51 teachers. After statistical analysis, major causes of sexual affairs among students were inner sexual urges, exposure to pornography and the influence of peers. The major seducers were drivers, fellow students, business men and teachers who offer free lifts, money and academic assistance to students. Causes, perpetrators and techniques used differed significantly by some demographic variables such as gender, experience with sexual intercourse and school type. We conclude that, sexual desires play a significant role in the move to engage into sexual relations and the perpetrators are mainly the non schooling population; there is a need of strictly dealing with sexual offenders and empowering students especially females to enable them make informed decisions when it comes to sexual relations.
Sexual Intercourse, Seducers, Teenage Students, Perpetrators, Romantic Relationship
[1]
Scanlan, F., Bailey, A., & Parker, A. (2012). Adolescent Romantic Relationships – Why are they important? And should they be encouraged or avoided? Australia: Orygen Youth Health Research Centre.
[2]
URT. (1998). Sexual Offences Special Provision Act, 1998. Dodoma: Parliament ofthe United Republic of Tanzania.
[3]
Laddunuri, M. (2013). The Sexual Behaviour of Secondary School Adolescent Studdents in Tanzania: Patterns and Trends. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 6 (3), 472-484.
[4]
Kisanga, F. (2012). Child sexual abuse in urban Tanzania: Possibilities and barriers for prevention. Unpublished Ph.D Thesis Umea University, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Sweden.
[5]
Santrock, J. W. (2006). Life-span development. Boston: McGraw Hill.
[6]
Kelly, G. (2008). Human Sexuality. New York: McGraw Hill Companies.
[7]
Mlyakado, B. P., & Timothy, N. (2014). Effects of Students’ Sexual Relationship on Academic Performance among Secondary School Students in Tanzania. Academic Research International, 5 (4), 278-286.
[8]
Mlyakado, B. P. (2013). Attitudes and views of teachers towards students' sexual relationships in secondary schools in Tanzania. Academic Research International, 4 (1), 232-241.
[9]
MoHSW. (2005). Report on Assessment of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Services. Dar es Salaam: MOHSW.
[10]
Noubiap, J. J. N., Jobert, R. N., Nansseu, J. R. N., Ndoula, S. T., et al (2015). Prevalence and correlates of HIV-risky sexual behaviors among students attending the Medical and Social Welfare Center of the University of Maroua, Cameroon. BMC Res Notes 8:635.
[11]
Cherie, A., & Berhane, Y. (2012). Peer Pressure Is the Prime Driver of Risky Sexual Behaviors among School Adolescents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. World Journal of AIDS, 3 (2), 159-164.
[12]
Kimani, G., Kara, A., & Nyala, M. (2012). Students' sexual behavior in the context of HIV/AIDS education in public secondary schools: A case of Kangudo division, Kenya. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 23(2), 2012.
[13]
Brewster, K. (1994). Neighbourhood context and the transition to sexual activity among young black women. Demography, 31(4), 603-614.
[14]
Hargreaves, R., Morison, L., Chege, J., Rutenberg, N., Kahindo, M., Weiss, H., et al. (2002). Socioeconomic status and of HIV infection in an urban population of Kenya. Tropical Medicine and International Health, 7 (5), 793-802.
[15]
Hamprecht, A., Hodzic, A., & Warriner, I. (2004). How do perceptions of gender roles shape the sexual behaviour of Croatian adolescents? Social science research policy briefs, 1 (1), 1-2.
[16]
Barongo, L., Mtweve, S., Msuya, M., Mwampete, J., Manongi, R., Njau, B., et al. (2005). Factors Influencing Early Sexual Debut Among youg Adolescents (10-14 Years) in Tanzania Mainland. Moshi: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical College.
[17]
Timpson, S., McCurdy, S., Leshabari, M., Kilonzo, G., Atkinson, J., Msami, A., et al. (2006). Substance Abuse, HIV Risk and HIV/AIDS in Tanzania. African Journal of Drug & Alcohol Studies, 5 (2), 158-169.
[18]
Zombwe, G., Vira, N., & Jeremia, S. (2010). How to Ensure Educational Success for Girls. They have the right to complete their studies. Dar es Salaam: HakiElimu.
[19]
Ankomah, A., Mamman-Daura, F., Omoregie, G., & Anyanti, J. (2011). Reasons for delaying or engaging in early sexual initiation among adolescents in Nigeria. Abuja: Dove Press.
[20]
Kabiru, C., & Orpinas, P. (2008). Factors associated with sexual activity among high-school students in Nairobi, Kenya. Journal of Adolescence, 2 (1), 1-17.
[21]
Haffner, D. (1998). Facing Facts: Sexual health for American Adolescents. Journal of Adolescents Health, 22 (4), 453-459.
[22]
Santelli, J. S., Lowry, R., Brener, N. D., & Robin, L. (2000). The Association of Sexual Behaviors With Socioeconomic Status, Family Structure, and Race/Ethnicity Among US Adolescents. American Journal of Public Health, 90 (10), 1582-1588.
[23]
URT. (1996). Child Development Policy. Dar es Salaam: Ministry of Community Development Women Affairs and Children.
[24]
Kinyaduka, D. B., & Kiwara, J. F. (2014). Female student-Male Teacher Sexual Relationship in Moshi Municipality, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: Sexual advance points, reasons, reporting status and responsible teacher category. Merit Research Journal of Education and Review, 2 (5), 85-91.
[25]
Turner, D., Hoyer, J., Schmidt, A. F., et al (2016). Risk Factors for Sexual Offending in Men working with Children: A community based survey. Archive of Sexual Behavior: 1-11.
[26]
Jones, N., Moore, K., Villar-Marquez, E., & Broadbent, E. (2008). Painful lessons: The politics of preventing sexual violence and bullying at school. London: Overseas Development Institute.
[27]
M'Jid, N. M. (2008). Sexual Abuse And Exploitation of Children in West And Central Africa. West Africa: West and Central Africa Regional Office.
[28]
Leclerc – Madlala, S. (2008). Age-disparate and intergenerational sex in southern Africa:. the dynamics of hypervulnerability, 22 (7), 17-25.
[29]
Opobo, T., & Wandega, A. (2011). Child Sexual Abuse in Jinja District - Uganda. Jinja: JINNET.
[30]
Malisa, M. (2009). The Impact of Transport Problems on Sexual Behaviour Among Students in Secondary Schools in Dar es Salaam city, Tanzania. Unpublished Masters of Arts (Demography) Dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
[31]
Mandara, J., Murray, C., & Bangi, A. (2003). Predictors of African American Sexual Activity: An Ecological Framework. Journal of Black Psychology, 29 (3), 337-356.
[32]
Barta, W., Tennen, H., & Kiene, S. (2011). Alcohol - Involved Sexual risk behaviour among heavy drinkers living with HIV/AIDS: Negative effect, Self efficacy and sexual cravings. Journal of Psychological Addict Behaviour, 24 (4), 563-570.
[33]
Oosten, J. M. F. Van (2016). Sexually explicit Internet Material and Adolescents’ Sexual Uncertainity: The role of Disposition – Content Congruency. Archive of Sexual Behavior 45(4): 1011-22.
[34]
Khalajabadi, F., Cleland, J. (2015). Perceived norms of premarital heterosexual relationships and sexuality among female college students in Tehran. Cult Health Sex 17(6): 700-17.
[35]
Onipede, W. (2009). Influence of Mass Media on Sexual Health Behaviour of College Students in Nigeria: A Study of Lagos State University. Ife Psychologia, 173-185.
[36]
Essex, M., Mboup, S., Kanki, P., Marlink, R., & Tlou, S. (2002). AIDS in Africa. Texas: Springer.
[37]
Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall.
