Cultural and Socio-Economic Factors Contributing to Upsurge in Teenage Pregnancies in Kabuchai Constituency, Bungoma County Western Kenya

Abstract

Globally, there has been an upsurge (65%) of teenage pregnancies among youths. This survey aimed at identifying cultural and socioeconomic factors contributing to increased teenage pregnancy in Kabubuchai constituency,Bungoma,Western . The survey aimed at assessing the extent to which cultural and so Socio-economic factors have contributed to the increase in teenage pregnancy in Kabuchai constituency,Bungoma ,Kenya; The study adopted social learning theory developed by Albert banduras in 1977 which elucidates the importance of environment to the behaviour of a student .The target population was teenagers from 9 to 19 years of age both in school and at home, key informants who are school principals, a sample of parents a total of 170 participants were included in the study. Simple random sampling was used to select 100 teenagers’ 20 principals and 50 parents were purposively selected. This survey used structured questionnaires and key informant interviews as research instruments. Statistical package for social science (SPSS) was used to analyse data. Collected data was presented in the form of tables and percentages.Inferencial statistics employed to measure associations of variables,0.05 p value was used as a value of statistical significance. analyze quantitative data. The survey found out that majority of girls who got pregnant were between 15 19 years(57%)n=,it also highlighted that (50% )n=62 of the pregnant girls were from poor backgrounds, among these, 18 19(31.5%)n= were married either with two or three children.80% pregnant girls were from poor background,555 were girls of single parents with a number of children from different fathers. In conclusion Cultural practices such as early marriages,poverty,parental role modelling played a major role in the increase in teenage pregnancy cases in Kabuchai sub county, stake holders, teachers parents and youths need to take an initiative in helping to solve this disturbing situation. These were recommendations deduced from the survey; The government to ensure the needy children are supported by paying their school fees to avoid keeping girls away from school for a long time as this exposes them to sex due to idleness. and provide for them the basic needs from school kitties organized from different departments .. The local government this include the chiefs and village elders should work hand in hand with the school administration to stop early marriages in the society and report to higher authorities those men marrying young girls who have not completed school.