Teen pregnancy in rural western Kenya: a public health issue

Abstract

Rates of teenage pregnancy remain high in sub-Saharan Africa. The KEMRI Health and Demographic Surveillance System provided the sampling frame for a survey. Analysis focused on 1,952 girls aged 13-19 years. Over a third (37.2%; n = 727) were sexually active and 23.3% (n = 454) had ever been pregnant. Adjusted odds of reporting a history of pregnancy were greater for older compared to younger teens, teens who were ever married or cohabiting compared to those who were single, teens with a primary education or less compared to those with a higher level of education, and teens who experienced partner violence in the last 12 months. Three-quarters of teens pregnant in the last 12 months did not want to get pregnant (n = 190); only 64.2% (n = 122) answered yes to using any family planning method. Teen pregnancy and its consequences are serious public health issues. Higher education levels are a crucial component to address the problem.

Predisposing factors of teenage pregnancy in the Uganda Lake Victoria Island and Mountain districts

“…Overall, teenage pregnancy in these special areas was 26%, which is slightly over the national figure of 24.8%. This finding is consistent with studies in other countries which show high teenage prevalence ranging from 20% to 50% (Manzi, Ogwang, Akankwatsa, Wokali, & Obba, 2018; Yakubu & Salisu, 2018) Omoro et al, 2017; Amoran, 2012; Lillian & Mumbango, 2015; Jewkes et al, 2001). This reflects a pattern of sexual activity which puts teenagers at a risk of HIV/AIDS.…”

“…As observed by Omoro et al (2017), this study shows that teenagers who lived in rural areas were more likely to have teenage pregnancy compared to their counterparts in the urban settings. This is because teenagers from the rural areas are less educated and have limited access to sexual health services than their urban counterparts.…”

“…Results indicate that teens with primary, secondary or higher education were less likely to have teenage pregnancy compared to those with no formal education. This could be due to lack of school fees and scholastic materials, as well as lack of transport to and from school as similarly observed by Omoro et al (2017). Education plays an important role in empowering teens with information and knowledge about safe sex, as reported in other studies(Cook, 2010; Gyan, 2013; Omoro et al, 2017; Stanger-Hall & Hall, 2011; Westway, Barratt, & Seeley, 2009).…”

“…Teenage pregnancy is highly associated with abortions, infant and maternal mortality, high rate of unemployment, school failure and drop-outs and limited future career opportunities. As a result of increased awareness of the socioeconomic consequences of teenage pregnancy, researchers and policy makers have concluded that teenage pregnancy and childbearing is a serious problem (Gebregzabher, Hailu, & Assefa, 2018; Lillian & Mumbango, 2015; Gyan, 2013; Yakubu & Salisu, 2018; Ayanaw Habitu, Yalew, & Azale Bisetegn, 2018; Omoro et al, 2017).…”

‘They are a shame to the community … ’ stigma, school attendance, solitude and resilience among pregnant teenagers and teenage mothers in Mahama refugee camp, Rwanda

“…Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries have some of the highest rates of early childbearing in the world (Human Rights Watch, 2018;Kaphagawani & Kalipeni, 2017;Omoro et al, 2018;Treffers, 2003;Yakubu & Salisu, 2018), particularly in East Africa with a rate of 21.5% (Kassa et al, 2018). Within the East African Community (EAC), 1 high rates of teenage pregnancy have been reported for Uganda and Tanzania, with 140 and 132 births per 1000 women aged 15-19 years respectively (UNFPA, 2019).…”