Factors Associated With Teenage Pregnancies in Kenya: a Comparison of 2003 and 2014 Demographic Health Surveys

Abstract

Despite global efforts, the teenage fertility rate has not significantly declined. Kenya has implemented various laws and initiatives to reduce teenage pregnancies. However, these efforts have not led to a substantial decrease in the number of teenage pregnancies. This study focused on teenage pregnancy in Kenya, aiming to identify the variables associated teenage pregnancy which is a prevalent issue in developing regions, with around 12 million girls aged 15-19 conceiving every year. The study investigated the socio-demographic and socioeconomic variables contributing to the high rate of teen pregnancy in Kenya. It utilized the social disorganization theory to connect these factors to teenage pregnancies. The research relied on data from two Kenya Demographic Health Surveys (KDHS), conducted in 2003 and 2014, to identify factors associated with teenage pregnancies. Out of the 2003 sampled population, 427 (n=1856) women had experienced teenage pregnancies, contributing to 23.0% of the teenage pregnancies in that dataset. Similarly, there were relatively lower number of women, at 18.1% (n=5820) in the 2014 DHS who experienced teenage pregnancies. Qualitative analysis and multiple regression analysis were used to determine the relationships between dependent and independent variables and to identify predictors of adolescent pregnancy. Key findings indicate that all sociodemographic variables were found to be significant predictors of teenage pregnancy. These included the marital status of teenagers (married teenagers had increased exposure to TP, p-value < 0.001, OR 64.41 (2014) and OR 47.47 (2003)), sex of the household head (teenagers from male headed households had 1.47 and 1.274 increased odds of experiencing teenage pregnancies for 2003 and 2014 respectively), and age at first sexual intercourse (teenagers who gad their first sex after age 18 had 0.058(2003) and 0.049 (2014) reduced odds of experiencing teenage pregnancies). Socioeconomic variables such as household wealth index, education level of the household head, and religious affiliation of teenagers were also significant predictors of teenage pregnancy. The study highlighted the critical role of education in reducing the likelihood of adolescent pregnancy. Hence encouraging and supporting teenage girls' participation in educational settings is recommended. The region of residence was a significant indicator of teenage pregnancy, with higher odds in certain regions, including Nyanza, Rift Valley, and Western. Region-specific actions may be needed to address this variation. The study suggested the need for future research comparing data from the 2003 and the 2022 Kenya Demographic Health Surveys to identify any significant changes in teenage pregnancy rates. The research was limited by the lack of teenage pregnancy data for girls aged thirteen and fourteen, which were not covered by the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey. In conclusion, the study found that teenage pregnancy in Kenya is influenced by a range of sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors. Marital status of teenager was found to have the most single significant effect on teenage pregnancies for both 2003 and 2014 data. Wealth index of the household was significant predictor of teenage pregnancies in both data sets. Addition, education was identified as a crucial factor in reducing teenage pregnancies, and the need for region-specific interventions was emphasized, particularly in areas with higher odds of teenage pregnancies