Patterns of Loneliness among high school students: a Socio-demographic Analysis in Kenya

Background Loneliness is increasingly recognized as a significant public mental health issue, especially among adolescents.Recent studies indicated a rising trend in loneliness among adolescents globally, including in lowerand middle-income countries (LMICs).However, research on loneliness in non-Western, low-income nations remains scarce, emphasizing the need for studies in diverse cultural and socio-economic contexts, such as Kenya, where adolescents comprise 23% of the population.Aim The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of loneliness among high school students living in different regions of Kenya.Methods This cross-sectional study included 2,652 high school students from ten schools across three Kenyan regions, reflecting both urban and rural settings.Participants completed a questionnaire assessing socio-demographic, educational, and psychological factors, along with their experiences of loneliness over the past year.The level of loneliness was assessed by the question "During the past 12 months, how often have you felt lonely?".Results Loneliness during the past 12 months (responses "always" and "most of the time") were identified in 17.1% of males and 16.6% of females.Significant factors associated with loneliness included grade level, geographical location, family structure, and perceived economic status.Urban students and those attending schools in Nairobi and Kiambu, as well as those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, reported higher loneliness.Conclusions These findings suggest that loneliness among Kenyan adolescents is influenced by grade-related, geographical, familial, and social factors.The high prevalence of loneliness highlights the need for targeted interventions, particularly in urban and economically disadvantaged groups.Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and develop effective strategies to mitigate loneliness.