Assessment of Psychological Indicators Influencing the Prevalence of Teenage Pregnancies among High School Students in Mbeere North Sub-County, Embu County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to find out the influence of psychological indicators of teenage pregnancies among high school students in Mbeere North Sub County, Embu, Kenya. Psychosocial development theory was used to guide the study. Mixed methods approach utilizing both quantitative and qualitative research was applied. Target population was 142 individuals, comprising of 47 guidance and counselling teachers, 35 community health and health workers and 60 parents and caregivers. A census was done to include all the 142 individuals in order to increase response rate and statistical power. The study's descriptive and thematic findings showed that peer pressure leads to teenagers' adaptation of behaviours from their peer groups, and fosters social influence, predisposing them to risky sexual activities and subsequent early pregnancies. The inferential findings however indicated that there was no statistically significant influence between peer pressure and teenage pregnancies among high school students. The implications of the study findings are discussed.