Global multisectoral leadership interventions on the teenage pregnancy menace and implications for Kenya

Abstract

This paper proposes ways through which leaders can innovatively address teenage pregnancy concerns in society. The report comparatively assesses data on the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy in Kenya and other countries in the region of East Africa and global interventions and their impact on the lives of teenagers and communities. It further examines data from empirical studies, especially from systematic reviews, to identify critical themes on teenage pregnancy and recommend intervention models based on the available data. The study concluded that teenage pregnancy has been a perennial issue in Kenyan society, leading to dropout rates and denying teenagers, primarily girls, opportunities for university education or meaningful academic achievement to thrive. The study recommended that the government and other stakeholders should address the menace by providing students with opportunities to enhance possibilities of completing primary education (high school). Multidimensional and multi-sectoral, including multi-agency interventions, can create programs with the potential to reduce teenage pregnancies by lowering school dropout rates, improving academic performance, training on reproductive health, identifying and deploying talent, equipping for wealth creation and addressing retrogressive cultural practices.