Determinants of adolescent fertility: a case of Meru secondary schools

Abstract

The study was set to investigate how demographic and socio-economic variables determine adolescent fertility in Meru district. The marital status and occupation of adolescent parents, the level of education of the adolescent, the age at first menarche and frequency of sexual intercourse were variables that were investigated. Data was collected from nine secondary schools in Meru district and the sources of information were girls and boys aged between 13-22 years. Open and closed ended questions were asked. Data was analysed by qualitative and quantitative statistical techniques, percentages, histograms, frequency distribution, correlation and cross-tabulation were used. The findings revealed that adolescents in Meru district engaged in sex at very tender ages and that boys began earlier than girls and that their frequency of sex was higher than that of girls. The frequency of sex also increase with age. Despite high level of knowledge of contraception, the use was low, but was higher than the national contraceptive use. , The findings also revealed that pregnancy in schools is related to adolescents age at first intercourse, age at menarche, frequency of intercourse as well as parents marital status and occupation. The findings demonstrate interventionist policy that would are victima . The government should incorporate family life or an urgent need for help the adolescents who population education in school curriculum and legalise the use of contraceptive by adolescents _ Further research in this subject should be carried out to understand the problem of adolescent fertility more clearly.