Exploring Levels of Teenage Premarital Sex and Pregnancy in Riana Division of Ndhiwa Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy has existed and is conceptualized as a social problem in many parts of the world. A recent report by the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey shows Kenya as one of countries with a large number of adolescent pregnancies in Africa. The situation could be worse in poor Counties in Kenya such as Homa Bay. This study sought to examine the level of premarital sex and the prevalence of teenage pregnancy in Riana Division of Ndhiwa Sub-County in Homa Bay County, Kenya. The study was based on the Psychosocial Theory and employed Cross-sectional survey design. Data was collected using questionnaires and in-depth interview techniques from a sample of 303 girls randomly selected from the study area. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and results presented in tables and figures. The study established that there is high prevalence of premarital sex and teenage pregnancy in Riana Division of Ndhiwa Sub County. Lack of parental guidance and support was highly blamed as parents reportedly do very little in sharing reproductive health information with their teenage children. The study recommends that alternative approaches may be necessary to reach out to the teenagers to help solve the problem of teenage pregnancy.