Nineteen percent of women and 35% of men between ages 15-49 have had s3xual intercourse with a person who was neither their husband, wife, or co-habiting partner in the last 12 months.
This is according to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022 which shows that 37% of these women have used protection during intercourse while the male percentage stands at 68%.
The report further adds that the percentage of women within the same bracket increases depending on the wealth quintile as 14% interacted with partners from the lower quantile while 22% chose those in the highest quintile.
The level of education was also a determinant in choosing a partner as 7% of women interacted with those without education and 27% interacted with those with secondary and above education.
Similarly, the same pattern was reflected with men as 20% interacted with persons without education as compared to 43% who chose partners with secondary and above education.
Murang’a County recorded the highest percentage (11%) of women who had 2 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 1% each.
Narok County has the highest percentages (43%) of men who had 2 or more sexual partners in the last 12 months, while Kirinyaga, Kericho and Garissa counties have the lowest percentage with 2% each.
