Cultural Factors as Determinant of Teen Pregnancy Prevalence in Kakamega County, Kenya

Abstract

Culture shapes the development and expression of human behavior. Teenage behaviors are partly a product of prevalent cultural trends. This study examined the relationship between cultural factors and teen pregnancy prevalence in Kakamega County, Kenya. The study was anchored on the sexual script theory developed by Gagnon and Simon in 1973 and the symbolic interaction theory advanced by Blumer in 1969. The research was descriptive and cross-sectional in design. It targeted teenagers (aged 15–19 years) and key informants in Kakamega County. Purposive sampling was used to select Butere and Ikolomani sub-counties, random sampling to select two wards in each sub-county, and systematic sampling to obtain participants. The sample size was 438, calculated using the Yamane formula. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed using STATA version 18. Descriptive statistics were used to generate frequencies and percentages, and the chi-square test as well as binary logistic regression were used to determine the association between variables. Values were considered significant at a p-value <0.05. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The study findings revealed that cultural factors, such as sex discussion at family and community levels, parental strictness, contraceptive use, teen marriage, contraceptive non-use, decision-making power in marriage, religious views and affiliation, and family reaction to pregnancy, contributed at varying degrees to teen pregnancy prevalence. The study results found a significant relationship between cultural factors and teen pregnancy prevalence in Kakamega County, Kenya (p<0.001). It is recommended that parents and other stakeholders create a conducive environment where free conversations and training on healthy sexual behaviors among teenagers are possible.