EFFECTS OF PARENTING ON TEENAGE PREGNANCY: A STUDY OF MALAVA SUB-COUNTY, KAKAMEGA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy has become a global concern. In Kenya it is prevalent where good parenting is not well exercised. Existence of children’s Act mandates parents the responsibility of ultimate care and protection of children. Additionally, the National Adolescent Reproductive Health and Development policy promotes adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights. Despite the presence of legal frameworks for care, provision and protection of children, teenage pregnancy has been on an upward trend in Kakamega County specifically Malava subcounty. The study sought to assess effects of parenting on teenage pregnancy. Specifically, the study determined to find out the influence of parenting styles on teenage pregnancy, established the influence of sexual health education by parents on teenage pregnancy, determined to find out the effects of parental supervision on teenage pregnancy and evaluated the effectiveness of parent -teenage communication on teenage pregnancy. The study focused on girls between 15 to 19 years of age. The study was guided by the theory of social learning by Albert Bandura (1925) and theory of action systems by Talcott Parsons (1951). For Social learning theory behavior is learned through observation, imitation and modelling while for the theory of action systems calls for a focus on the whole system to enhance a desired change rather than as separate units. The study was conducted in Malava subcounty, Kakamega County, Kenya. Mixed methods research design was used. The sample size for the study was 178 respondents from a target population of 321 selected based on Taro Yamane's sample determination formula. The sample size for key informants was 46 respondents. Purposive sampling and simple random sampling were employed to select respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires, key informant interviews and Focus group discussion. Instruments Validity and reliability was tested by Content validity, test-retest and Cronbach’s Alpha Index for reliability. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation and inferential statistics such as regression analysis while qualitative data employed content analysis. Analyzed data was presented in tables, pie charts and graphs. Study findings for objective one established that 72.3% of the variations in the teenage pregnancy can be explained by parenting style. For objective two, findings revealed that 0.7% of the variations in the teenage pregnancy can be explained by sexual health education of parents to teenagers. Third objective revealed that 47.4% of the variations in teenage pregnancy can be explained by parental supervision and consequently for the fourth objective the findings revealed that 1.7% of the variations in the teenage pregnancy can be explained by parent teenage communication The study contributes to academic body of knowledge and provides basis for policy formulation on parenting. The study concludes that parenting has a significant contribution to teenage pregnancy as revealed through the findings of all the four objectives. The study recommends to the ministry through the department of children services to sensitize the public about good parenting/positive parenting in order to reverse escalating teenage pregnancy.