Adolescent Motherhood in Kenya

Abstract

This paper sought to find out the factors associated with adolescent motherhood in Kenya. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were carried out on the 2008/09 Kenya demographic and health survey women file. Out of the 1,767 women adolescents, 301were already mothers at the time of the survey. Results of bivariate analysis showed that motherhood in Kenya begins as early as age 13, and that it is high among girls of primary education qualifications, rural residents, those from low wealth index households, and who have never used contraception. Majority of the fathers to these children (80 percent) are aged between 20 and 29.  Logistic regression analysis revealed that girl’s educational qualification, type of place of residence, household wealth index, region of residence, ever use of contraception and the partner’s education qualification are statistically related to adolescent motherhood in Kenya. There is need therefore to invest substantial efforts to understand the individual social and cultural factors affecting adolescents’ reproductive health outcomes and design policies that address them appropriately.

Keywords: adolescent, motherhood, Kenya, contraceptive use