Parent-child communication about sexual and reproductive health was significantly and positively associated with intention to abstain from sex and consistent condom use among youth in western Kenya, though such communication was generally low.
Intention to abstain from sex was high among all study participants, while consistent condom use was low among sexually experienced youth.
Parent-child communication about sexual and reproductive health was low across the study population.
Higher parent-child communication scores were significantly associated with greater intention to abstain from sex for at least one year.
Higher parent-child communication scores were significantly associated with greater consistent condom use among sexually experienced youth.
Parent-child communication was not significantly associated with use of family planning methods among females.
This research suggests that when parents talk more openly with their children about sexual and reproductive health, young people in western Kenya are more likely to intend to delay having sex and to use condoms consistently when they do become sexually active. The study surveyed 1,598 young people aged 15–24 in western Kenya in 2022 and found that while most youth (65%) planned to abstain from sex, only about 39% of those who were already sexually active reported consistently using condoms. Importantly, parent-child communication on these topics was quite low on average, scoring only 5.5 out of 14 on the study's communication scale. The study found that even small increases in parent-child communication scores were associated with meaningfully higher odds of both intending to abstain and using condoms. However, communication did not show a statistically significant link to broader family planning method use among females, suggesting that other factors — such as access to contraceptives — may play a larger role in that particular outcome. Gender differences were noted in abstinence intentions, but communication remained an important factor regardless of gender. This research suggests that there is a meaningful opportunity to improve young people's sexual health by equipping parents and guardians with the skills and confidence to discuss sexual and reproductive health topics with their children. Programs aimed at improving these conversations could potentially reduce adolescent pregnancy rates and increase safer sexual practices in similar settings across sub-Saharan Africa.
Ayieko S, Aluku N, Lee A, Story W. (2026). Sexual and reproductive health outcomes and parent-child communication among youth in western Kenya.. Sexual & reproductive healthcare : official journal of the Swedish Association of Midwives. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2025.101179