Factors Contributing to Unintended Pregnancies Among Teenage Girls in The Informal Settlement of Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Unintended teenage pregnancy is a significant public health issue, particularly in Africa harboring 93% of teenage pregnancies. In Nairobi, 18% of teenage girls are affected, especially in informal settlements like Mukuru Kwa Njenga. Objectives: The study seeks to explore and analyze underlying contributors to the occurrence of unintended pregnancies among teenage girls living in the informal settlement of Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Nairobi, Kenya. It focuses on key determinants including the level of knowledge and awareness regarding contraceptive methods, the accessibility and access to RHS, prevailing socio-economic conditions, and the influence of substance abuse. By examining these interconnected factors, the study aims to provide a deeper understanding of the drivers behind unintended teenage pregnancies in this informal urban context. Methods: A cross-sectional mixed methods study was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. The sample size of 424 adolescent girls was determined using Fisher’s formula, accounting for a 10% non-response rate. Data were collected from 311 participants using structured questionnaires, achieving a response rate of 73.3%. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews with teenagers who experienced pregnancies. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS Version 24.0, whereas qualitative data were transcribed and coded with NVivo 9 software. Study Outcomes: The study found that 62.7% of respondents had experienced unintended teenage pregnancies. Logistic regression identified significant predictors, including lack of discussions about protection (OR=0.044), limited contraceptive knowledge (OR=51.731), restricted access to contraceptives (OR=0.106), low household income (OR=31.022), lower parental education, and substance abuse, particularly alcohol use (OR=17.333).