Perceptions of peer contraceptive use and its influence on contraceptive method use and choice among young women and men in Kenya: a quantitative cross-sectional study
Outcomes: Sexual and Reproductive Health
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways The study demonstrates that young people’s contraceptive choices are highly influenced by what they believe their peers are doing. This peer influence appears strongest for condom use, but also extends to other methods among young women. Interventions that seek to improve contraceptive uptake among youth should include efforts to shift peer norms through mass and social media, school- and community-based programs, and youth-led peer education, making contraception both accessible and socially acceptable across method types.
Objectives This study explored how young people’s perceptions of their peers’ contraceptive use influence their own contraceptive behavior and method choice. It aimed to assess the role of perceived peer norms in shaping whether young men and women in Kenya use contraception and what methods they choose.
Methods The study used data from the 2018 and 2019 Shujaaz State of the Kenyan Youth surveys, which are nationally representative cross-sectional surveys of youth aged 15–24. A total of 2,470 sexually experienced young people were included in the analysis. Researchers used multinomial logistic regression to assess associations between perceptions of peer contraceptive use and respondents’ current contraceptive behavior, controlling for sociodemographic variables.
Results Perceiving that peers used contraceptives was strongly associated with higher reported use of contraception among both young women and men. Young people who believed their peers used contraception were more likely to report using condoms compared to not using any modern method (RRR = 2.12 for men, 2.59 for women). Young women were also more likely to use another modern method besides condoms if they believed their peers did (RRR = 1.51). The influence of peer norms was especially strong for condom use, which may reflect its role in preventing both pregnancy and STIs and its higher visibility among peer groups.
Conclusions Peer norms play a critical role in shaping contraceptive behaviors among Kenyan youth. Programs should consider how peer perceptions influence method uptake and choice and develop strategies that promote accurate information and positive peer-to-peer communication around a broad range of contraceptive methods.
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