Prevalence of Teenage Pregnancy and its Influence on Social Adjustment of Pregnant and Teenage Student Mothers in Secondary Schools in the Post-COVID-19 Period
Abstract
Prevalence of teenage pregnancy is a global challenge affecting both developed and developing countries, posing a threat to the teenage girl's health and academic achievement. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of teenage pregnancy and its influence on the social adjustment of pregnant and teenage student mothers in secondary schools in Kakamega East sub-county during the post-COVID-19 period. The study was anchored on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory to understand the impact on self-esteem and Vygotsky’s Social-cultural Theory to analyze social adjustment. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, targeting 10,623 stakeholders across 36 secondary schools. A sample of 371 respondents, including deputy principals, guidance and counselling teachers, class teachers, mainstream learners, pregnant/parenting teenagers, parents, and a QUASO, were sampled using stratified random sampling, purposive sampling, and snowballing. Data were collected using questionnaires, interview schedules, and document analysis. The instrument’s reliability was confirmed with an alpha value of 0.83. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 26, utilizing linear regression. The findings indicated that the prevalence of teenage pregnancy had a strong negative effect on self-esteem (β=−.671, p<.05), and a significant negative effect on social adjustment (β=−.781, p<.05). In conclusion, teenage pregnancy negatively impacts both the self-esteem and social adjustment components of the students’ social well-being. The study recommends that schools, guided by a focus on addressing the fundamental needs of the affected adolescents, embrace comprehensive social support systems, including mentorship and religion/support groups, to aid the re-integration and coping mechanisms of pregnant and teenage student mothers. The findings provide a reference basis for scholars and interventions aiming to improve academic progression and social adjustment globally.
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