Influence of sexuality health education by parents on teenage girls pregnancy prevention in Nyandarua North sub-county, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of sexuality health education (SHE) by parents in preventing teenage girls’ pregnancy in Nyandarua North Sub- County, Kenya. The study applied Bio-ecological model of human development theory by Urie Bronfenbrenner. Using a descriptive cross-sectional survey research design, data was collected from a target population of 14 chiefs from all locations within the sub-county and 27,917 households. An accessible population of 569 households was identified to take part in the research-using cluster, purposive and snowballing sampling. Fourteen chiefs took part in the study. The data was obtained through interviewing chiefs and questionnaires for teen girls and parents. The instruments were systematically assessed for validity through review by experts in the School of Education Kabarak University and by carrying out a pilot study comprising 30 households in Nyandarua Central Sub- County to ensure questionnaires gathered the information required by the study. Qualitative data was analysed descriptively, further analysis was done using version 24.0 of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study found out that sexuality health education prevents teenage girls’ pregnancy. The study concluded that; surge in teen pregnancy was because of a prolonged closure of schools during the covid-19 pandemic coupled with the fact that parents/caregivers are not aware of the proper approach to use when teaching their teens sexuality matters. This study recommends that; the government of Kenya should set up programs to train parents/caregivers on how to teach sexuality matters to teenagers, sexuality education should be taught beginning from 10yrs of age to equip teens with requisite knowledge as they approach teen hood.