Prevalence of Teenage Parenthood and Subsequent Burden on Elderly Family Members in Bungoma North Sub-County, Kenya

The prevalence of teenage parenthood presents significant social and economic challenges, especially in developing countries, where it often leads to increased dependency on elderly family members. This paper assessed the prevalence of teenage parenthood and examined the resulting dependency burden on elderly caregivers in Bungoma North Sub-County. Hagel’s Theory of Responsibility and Theory of Reasoned Action were used to underpin the study. A cross-sectional study design was used, involving a sample of 143 teenage mothers and pregnant teenagers from 10 schools. Stratified random sampling involved dividing the population into subgroups of ten schools and then randomly selecting participants from each subgroup. This ensured that the sample is representative of the population across the different subgroups. The sample included girls who were either pregnant or had recently given birth. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, focusing on socio-demographic characteristics, caregiving arrangements, and family dynamics. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were employed to interpret the data. The findings revealed that elderly family members, particularly those aged 56 and above, bear the brunt of caregiving responsibilities, with 27% of caregivers aged 66 or older. A high prevalence of teenage pregnancy in Bungoma North Sub County, Kenya, leads to significant reliance on elderly family members for childcare, placing strain on their physical, emotional, and financial well-being. This burden is further exacerbated by limited support from other family members and inadequate access to external resources, leaving elderly caregivers feeling socially isolated and financially strained. The study highlights the need for targeted support systems, including social services, caregiver training, and psychological support, to ease the caregiving burden. Additionally, enhanced programs addressing teenage pregnancy prevention and education are crucial to reducing the long-term dependency burden on elderly caregivers and keeping teenage girls in school.