Investigate the effects of parenting styles on teenage pregnancy among girls of ages 10-17 years in Malava Sub- County, Kakamega County, Kenya.

Authors

  • Valentine Khaemba Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology
  • Erick Onyango Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology
  • Fridah Njeru Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology

Abstract

Globally, teenage pregnancy hinders development and economic growth, driven by poverty and poor parenting. In Kenya's Malava Sub-County, absent guardianship and cultural norms escalate rates, perpetuating health issues and intergenerational poverty. Research into parenting's role is crucial for effective prevention strategies. Therefore, this study sought to assess the influence of parenting styles on teenage pregnancy. The study was guided by social learning theory by Albert Bandura (1925). The study was conducted in Malava subcounty, Kakamega County, Kenya. Mixed methods research design was used. The sample size for the study was 178 respondents from a target population of 321 based on Taro Yamane's sample determination formula. Purposive sampling and simple random sampling were employed to select respondents for the study. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from the study. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview guide. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, including the computation of means and standard deviations. Additionally, regression analysis was conducted to derive inferential statistics. Qualitative data was analyzed to identify key patterns and themes. Data was presented in tables, pie charts and graphs. Findings of the study revealed that parenting style and teenage pregnancy were significantly correlated (r=0.851) with regression analysis revealing a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.724 implying that 72.4% of the variance in teenage pregnancy was as a result of parenting styles. the study concluded that parenting styles significantly influence teenage pregnancy in Malava Sub-County, with neglectful (56.8%), permissive (40.6%) and authoritarian (34.8%) approaches increasing risks, while participatory parenting reduces them. The study recommended that the county government partner with elders and religious leaders to facilitate community-led dialogues on parent-child communication and implement social protection policies, like conditional cash transfers, to reduce economic-driven parental migration.

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Published

04-11-2025

How to Cite

Khaemba, V., Onyango, E., & Njeru, F. (2025). Investigate the effects of parenting styles on teenage pregnancy among girls of ages 10-17 years in Malava Sub- County, Kakamega County, Kenya. Eastern Africa Journal of Contemporary Research, 5(2), 110–127. Retrieved from https://eajcr.org/index.php/eajcr/article/view/84

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Valentine Khaemba, Erick Onyango, Fridah Njeru

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