Existing Strategies for Tackling Adolescent Pregnancy in Public Boarding Girls’ Secondary Schools in Narok County, Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: The study sought to identify the existing strategies for tackling adolescent pregnancy in public boarding girls’ secondary schools in Narok County, Kenya
 Methodology: Cross- sectional descriptive research design was adopted. The target populations is the adolescent students of the public boarding girls’ secondary schools in Narok county, Kenya and the sample size is 72 (8 principals, 8 counselors and 56 students). The study used purposive sampling to select the secondary school principals and school counselors while using the sampled principals to select the students to participate in the study. The research instruments were an Interview Schedule and Focus Group Discussion guide. The qualitative data was analyzed according to themes, patterns and forms.
 Findings: The study established that strategies for tackling adolescent pregnancy in Narok County, Kenya in the public boarding girls’ secondary schools were the strategies identified were; Guidance and Counseling, Parental Involvement, Peer Counseling amongst students, Invitation of Motivational Speakers, having General Talks at the assembly, Introduction of Life Skills lessons in the timetable and Use of Religious Leaders and Pastoral Sessions. 
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study was anchored on ecological systems theory which argues that the different environments we encounter in our life span influences individual behaviors in varying degrees was the principle guide in this study. The study also recommends that all stakeholders in society should join hands in fighting the vice of adolescent pregnancies, which denies the adolescent girl her rights to education. These stakeholders include the parents, the school, the community, the church and the law enforcing agents.