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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
"I was tricked": understanding reasons for unintended pregnancy among sexually active adolescent girls
Reproductive Health, Volume 18, No. 1, Article 19, Year 2021
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Description
Background: While the Kenya government is mobilizing high-level strategies to end adolescent pregnancy by 2030, a clear understanding of drivers of early unintended pregnancy in the country is a necessary precursor. In this study, we determine the prevalence, associated factors, and reasons for unintended pregnancy among sexually active adolescent girls (aged 15–19 in two Kenya counties with the highest rate of teenage pregnancy. Methods: We used the “In Their Hands” (ITH) program's baseline evaluation data. The study adopted a mixed-methods design with 1110 sexually active adolescent girls in the quantitative component and 19 girls who were either pregnant or nursing a child in the qualitative. We used adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression to model factors associated with unintended pregnancy among respondents. We used a thematic analysis of qualitative data to examine girls’ reasons for having unintended pregnancy. Results: Overall, 42% of respondents have had an unintended pregnancy; however, higher proportions were observed among girls who were 19 years (49.4%), double orphans (53.6%), never used contraceptive (49.9%), out-of-school (53.8%), and married (55.6%). After adjusting for relevant covariates, the odds of unintended pregnancy were higher among girls who resided in rural areas (AOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.22–2.20), had primary or no formal education (AOR 1.50 95% CI 1.11–2.02), and had never used contraceptive (AOR 1.69 95% CI 1.25–2.29) compared with their counterparts. Current school attendance was associated with a 66% reduction in the probability of having an unintended pregnancy. Participants of the qualitative study stated that the desire to maintain a relationship, poor contraceptive knowledge, misinformation about contraceptive side effects, and lack of trusted mentors were the main reasons for their unintended pregnancies. Conclusion: A massive burden of unintended pregnancy exists among sexually active adolescent girls in the study setting. Adolescent boys and girls need better access to sexuality education and contraceptives in the study setting to reduce early unintended pregnancy. © 2021, The Author(s).
Authors & Co-Authors
Ajayi, Anthony Idowu
Kenya, Nairobi
African Population & Health Research Center
Oduor, Clement
Kenya, Nairobi
African Population & Health Research Center
Ouédraogo, Ramatou
Kenya, Nairobi
African Population & Health Research Center
Ushie, Boniface Ayanbekongshie
Kenya, Nairobi
African Population & Health Research Center
Wado, Yohannes Dibaba
Kenya, Nairobi
African Population & Health Research Center
Statistics
Citations: 15
Authors: 5
Affiliations: 1
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1186/s12978-021-01078-y
ISSN:
17424755
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Maternal And Child Health
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Qualitative
Quantitative
Study Locations
Kenya
Participants Gender
Male
Female