The Psychosocial Effects of Early Pregnancies among Teenagers in Kitui Nzambani Sub-County, Kenya

Teenage pregnancy has become a phenomenon of concern. This study aimed at establishing the psychosocial effects of early pregnancies among teenagers in Kitui Nzambani Sub-County, Kenya. The research was guided by two theories, namely the Reason Action Theory and Social Cognitive Theory. The study used a quantitative research approach. The study considered a population 516 teenage females who attended prenatal care in the hospitals located in Nzambani Sub- County. A simple random sampling method was used in drawing the sample size. The researcher used the Yamane (1967) formula to determine the sample size of 225 teenagers. Data was collected using a questionnaire. Data was analyzed by using the inferential statistic with the Social Package for Social Sciences version 22. More than half of the respondents (56.3%) attributed the teens' pregnancy due to lack of information on matter of sexual education and reproductive health and rights. The results of the Post-Traumatic Growth scale showed that the most significant change occurred in personal strength (Mean = 3.1580), in appreciation of life (Mean = 2.9962), in new possibilities (Mean= 2.9632). This implies that respondents gained some positive growth after experiencing the traumatic event. The study recommended an increase in parental care as well as the strengthening of the support systems providing sexual education to Teenagers, as well as improving Teenage' access to services dealing with reproductive health