Teen pregnancy in rural western Kenya: a public health issue. Issue 4 (2nd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Omoro, Tereza; Gray, Simone C.; Otieno, George; Mbeda, Calvin; Phillips-Howard, Penelope A.; Hayes, Tameka; Otieno, Fredrick; Gust, Deborah A.
• Is Part Of: International journal of adolescence and youth. Volume 23:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 399
• Page End: 408
• Publication Date: 2018-10-02
• Subjects: Pregnancy -- Kenya -- education -- violence -- family planning methods; Adolescence -- Periodicals; Youth -- Periodicals; Adolescent psychology -- Periodicals; 305.235
• DOI: 10.1080/02673843.2017.1402794
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0267-3843

Abstract

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.