Contributions of school-based ecological transformative social change strategies to the management of teenage pregnancies in Mombasa County

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of school-based ecological transformative social change strategies to the management of teenage pregnancy with reference to Mombasa County, Kenya. The study focused on seven public girls' secondary schools in Mombasa County, targeting Form 3 students, principals, guidance and counseling teachers, religious leaders, and government officials. Using a sample size formula, 402 participants were selected, considering attrition. Simple random and purposive sampling were employed. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and Focus Group Discussions, analyzed using SPSS for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. The findings were presented through tables and figures, drawing conclusions from the results. The study aimed to understand and address factors influencing teenage pregnancy in Mombasa County. The findings show that the issue of teen pregnancy is of great concern in the county of Mombasa.  This is evidenced by the high rate of school dropout among girls who got pregnant, early motherhood, transmission of venereal diseases, cases of abortion and death after abortion in some cases. Pearson correlation shows that school-based interventions (r=0.063, p>.05) did not have significant effects on the management of teenage pregnancy.  Consequently, there is need to put measures in place aimed at checking teenage pregnancies and their associated consequences such as abortions, girls dropping out of school as well as early marriages among others.