The determinants of early pregnancy among adolescent attending postnatal clinic in the coast of Kenya

Background: Globally, approximately 18 million adolescents get pregnant annually. This global health problem is notably common in developing African countries than in developed countries. The effects of adolescent pregnancy, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, are detrimental. Adolescent pregnancy has been linked to high maternal and neonatal morbidities and mortalities, vicious poverty, high school dropout rates, and increased financial burden in respective governments. In Kenya, according to KDHS statistics, the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy is 18.8% with some counties recording as high as 40%. Problem statement: In 2014, TaitaTaveta County recorded a 13% prevalence of adolescent pregnancy. However, the incidences of adolescent pregnancy are sharply increasing and stand at 16% in 2018 as per the findings of UNPFA. The increase in adolescent pregnancy has seen a rise in school dropout and early marriages. Therefore, the general purpose of this proposal was to investigate the determinants of adolescent pregnancy in TaitaTaveta County. Study objectives: This study was to determine how personal characteristics, sociocultural factors, economic factors, electronic media factors, health care factors influence adolescent pregnancy in Taita Taveta County. Methodology: The study used a descriptive cross-section design. The study took place in Taita Taveta County with a sample size of 185 postnatal adolescent mothers. The following factors were found to have an influence on early adolescent; level of education, social culture factors, economic factors and electronic media. The policy makers should come up with policies which will regulate the use of electronic media among the adolescents.