Health Related Challenges Among Pregnant Teenagers Attending Narok County Hospital, Narok County

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy is on the rise globally especially in developing countries. There are many the health related challenges that pregnant teenagers are exposed to. Pregnant teenagers are prone to health risks that endanger themselves and unborn babies. It is important for healthcare fraternity to be informed of these the health related challenges that are associated with teenage pregnancy. The study aimed to determine the health related challenges that teenage girls visiting Narok County Hospital face. By; (1) determining the health related challenges among pregnant teenagers attending Narok County Hospital. (2) Establishing the level of awareness on modern contraceptive methods among pregnant teenage visiting NCH. To determine health seeking behaviors among pregnant teenagers who visit NCH The study adopted a cross-sectional research study, Interview guide and abstraction sheets to capture data. Interview 41 respondents of whom 35 pregnant teenagers and 6 key informants. The pregnant teenagers were non-medics while the key respondents were medical personnel at different levels but who in their course of work had interacted with pregnant teenagers. The study revealed that 60% of the respondents had experienced health challenges during the course of pregnancy. Of whom majority of the pregnant teenagers had varied number of health challenges during the course of their pregnancy. These findings are quite similar to other studies that have been done globally. Study recommends a more focused antenatal profile for pregnant teenagers and community health program targeting the whole community to prevent teen pregnancies.