Determinants of adolescent fertility: a case of Meru secondary schools
Abstract
The study was set to investigate how demographic and
socio-economic variables determine adolescent fertility in
Meru district. The marital status and occupation of
adolescent parents, the level of education of the
adolescent, the age at first menarche and frequency of
sexual intercourse were variables that were investigated.
Data was collected from nine secondary schools in Meru
district and the sources of information were girls and boys
aged between 13-22 years. Open and closed ended questions
were asked.
Data was analysed by qualitative and quantitative
statistical techniques, percentages, histograms, frequency
distribution, correlation and cross-tabulation were used.
The findings revealed that adolescents in Meru district
engaged in sex at very tender ages and that boys began
earlier than girls and that their frequency of sex was
higher than that of girls. The frequency of sex also
increase with age. Despite high level of knowledge of
contraception, the use was low, but was higher than the
national contraceptive use.
, The findings also revealed that pregnancy in schools is
related to adolescents age at first intercourse, age at
menarche, frequency of intercourse as well as parents
marital status and occupation.
The findings demonstrate
interventionist policy that would
are victima .
The government should incorporate family life or
an urgent need for
help the adolescents who
population education in school curriculum and legalise the
use of contraceptive by adolescents _ Further research in
this subject should be carried out to understand the problem
of adolescent fertility more clearly.
Sponsorhip
The University of NairobiPublisher
School of Business