What's driving high pregnancy rates in Kenyan schools

November 26, 2018
by Michael Mutua, The Conversation

During Kenya's national schools exams, an alarming number of girls were reported to be pregnant or in labour, and so couldn't take the exam. In just one county, 72 girls taking the exams were pregnant while 38 gave birth before the test. The Conversation Africa's Moina Spooner asked Michael Mutua to shed light on why so many girls are falling pregnant and what measures there are to support them.

What is the prevalence of pregnancy in schools in Kenya?

Cases of pregnancy among young girls is high. Teen pregnancy and motherhood rates stand at 18%. About one in every five adolescent girls (aged 15 to 19) has either had a live birth, or is pregnant with her first child. Rates increase with age: from 3% among girls at 15 years old, to 40% among girls at 19 years.

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