In their lifetimes, men and women tend to get into a number of sexual relationships with different partners. In some instances, an individual may engage in sexual intercourse with a man or woman who is not their husband or wife or with multiple sexual partners concurrently.
Having sex with multiple partners, especially without the use of protection such as condoms, is often considered a higher-risk sexual behavior that may lead to sexually transmitted infections such as HIV/AIDS.
In 2022, the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey found that the mean number of lifetime sexual partners among women aged 15 – 49 was 2.3 partners. In men, the mean number of sexual partners in a lifetime was 7.4 partners.[1]
Quick Facts
- The mean number of lifetime sexual partners in men was 7.4 partners.
- The mean number of lifetime sexual partners in women was 2.3 partners.
- The mean number of sexual partners increases with age, education level, and wealth.
- Divorced and separated men and women had the highest mean number of sexual partners in their lifetimes compared to the never married.
- The mean number of lifetime sexual partners among men in urban areas was 8.2 partners and women 2.5 partners.
- Murang’a County had the highest mean number of sexual partners in men and women. Men had a mean of 14.1 lifetime sexual partners and women 3.3.
The mean number of sexual partners in Kenya increases with age
In men, the mean number of sexual partners was highest among those aged 40 – 49, with an average of 8.7 partners. It was lowest in men aged 15 – 24, with an average of 5.1 lifetime sexual partners.
In women, the mean number of sexual partners was highest in those aged 24 – 29 and 40 – 49, with an average of 2.5 sexual partners each. It was lowest in those aged 15 – 24 with an average of 2 lifetime sexual partners.
The number of sexual partners was highest among the divorced, separated, and widowed.
The mean number of lifetime sexual partners among divorced and separated men was 12.7 partners, while in women, it was 3.1 partners.
This was higher than in married and never-married men and women, with the mean lifetime sexual partners in never-married men being 6.1 partners and women 2.4 partners.
The chart below shows the mean number of sexual partners in men and women in Kenya by marital status.
The mean number of lifetime sexual partners was higher in urban than rural areas.
In men, the mean number of lifetime sexual partners in urban areas was 8.2 partners. In women living in urban areas, the mean number of sexual partners was 2.5 partners.
In contrast, the mean number of lifetime sexual partners among men and women living in rural areas was 6.1 and 2.4 partners, respectively.
The mean number of lifetime sexual partners was highest in more educated men and women.
The number of sexual partners in Kenya was highest among the most educated demographic. Men with more than a secondary education had a mean of 8.4 sexual partners, while women had 2.6 sexual partners.
Among those with no education, the mean number of lifetime sexual partners in men was 5.8, and in women, 1.6.
The mean number of sexual partners was highest among individuals with the highest wealth level.
Men in the highest wealth quintile in Kenya had a mean of 8.2 sexual partners in their lifetime, while women had a mean of 2.6 lifetime sexual partners.
The lowest mean number of sexual partners in men was among those in the second wealth quintile, with 6.6 lifetime partners. In women, the lowest was among those in the lowest wealth level, with a mean of 1.9 lifetime sexual partners.
Murang’a County had the highest mean number of sexual partners in Kenya
In men, the mean number of lifetime sexual partners in Murang'a County was 14.1, followed by Tharaka Nithi County at 12.3, Elgeyo Marakwet at 10.2, Nairobi at 9.3, Kisumu at 9.6, and Machakos at 9.2.
In women, Murang'a had the highest number of mean lifetime sexual partners at 3.3, followed by Siaya with 3 partners, Bungoma with 2.8, Busia with 2.8, Nyandarua with 2.7, Kitui with 2.6, Nyeri with 2.6, Kiambu with 2.6, Elgeyo Marakwet with 2.6, Kericho with 2.6, and Nairobi with 2.6.
The counties with the lowest mean number of sexual partners among women were Marsabit (1.2 partners), Mandera (1.3 partners), Wajir (1.3 partners), Garissa (1.3 partners), Kwale (1.3 partners), and Turkana (1.4 partners).
See Also
References
[1] KNBS and ICF. 2023. Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022: Volume 1. Nairobi, Kenya, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: KNBS and ICF.
