Teachers’ Perception on the Influence of Life Skills Education on Teenage Pregnancy in Public Primary Schools in Nandi North Sub-County
Main Article Content
Keywords
Life skills education, teenage pregnancy, teachers’ perception, public primary schools, Nandi North Sub-County
Abstract
Teenage pregnancy remains a pressing concern in Kenya, particularly in rural areas such as Nandi North Sub-County, where socio-cultural and economic factors contribute to high incidences among school-going adolescents. Life Skills Education (LSE) has been identified as a key intervention in equipping young learners with decision-making, communication and assertiveness skills necessary for making informed choices regarding their reproductive health. However, the effectiveness of LSE in addressing teenage pregnancy largely depends on teachers’ perceptions and their role in its implementation. This study explores teachers’ perceptions on the influence of LSE on teenage pregnancy in public primary schools. The study, guided by Social Learning Theory, employed a descriptive research design. It targeted 1,387 teachers across six zones in Nandi North Sub-County, with a sample of 301 respondents determined using Krejcie and Morgan's (1970) table. Data was collected through structured questionnaires and interviews and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The findings revealed a strong positive perception of LSE among teachers, with 78.6% agreeing that teaching communication skills helps students make informed relationship decisions, while 76.9% believed that goal-setting and future planning in LSE reduce teenage pregnancy risks. Additionally, 77.2% indicated that assertiveness training empowers students to resist sexual pressure. The Pearson correlation analysis (r = −0.79, p = 0.001) demonstrated a statistically significant negative relationship between teachers’ positive perception of LSE and teenage pregnancy prevalence, indicating that improved implementation of LSE correlates with lower teenage pregnancy rates. The study also concludes that life skills education, particularly those programs focusing on communication, goal setting, assertiveness training, and critical thinking, plays a significant role in reducing the risk of teenage pregnancy. The study recommends strengthening teacher training in LSE with an emphasis on communication, goal setting, assertiveness, and critical thinking. These programs should be designed to help students navigate the complexities of relationships and sexual health, thereby reducing the risk of teenage pregnancy.
References
Akers, R. L., & Jennings, W. G. (2015). Social learning theory. The handbook of criminological theory, 230-240. Transaction Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118512449.ch12
Althabe, F., Moore, J. L., Gibbons, L., Berrueta, M., Goudar, S. S., Chomba, E., Derman, R. J., Patel, A., Saleem, S., &
Pasha, O. (2015). Adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in adolescent pregnancies: The Global Network’s Maternal Newborn Health Registry study. Reproductive Health, 12(2), 1-9. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4755-12-S2-S8
Bandiera, O., Buehren, N., Burgess, R., Goldstein, M., Gulesci, S., Rasul, I., & Sulaiman, M. (2012). Empowering Adolescent Girls. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/25529/755660WP0Empow00Box374337B00PUBLIC0.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Bandiera, O., Buehren, N., Burgess, R., Goldstein, M., Gulesci, S., Rasul, I., & Sulaiman, M. (2012). Empowering Adolescent Girls. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/25529/755660WP0Empow00Box374337B00PUBLIC0.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Prentice-Hall. https://www.asecib.ase.ro/mps/Bandura_SocialLearningTheory.pdf
Bandura, A. (1986). Social Foundations of Thought and Action: A Social Cognitive Theory. Prentice-Hall. https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=PdY9o3l5vpYC&oi=fnd&pg=PA94&dq=Bandura,+A.+(1986).+Social+Foundations+of+Thought+and+Action:+A+Social+Cognitive+Theory.+Prentice-Hall.&ots=uHfVrUXibL&sig=DgZbRNihgWZhi5L4HvU42oaYxKI&redir_esc=y
Bandura, A. (1989). Human agency in social cognitive theory. American Psychologist, 44(9), 1175–1184. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/0003-066X.44.9.1175
Bandura, A. (2004). Health promotion by social cognitive means. Health Education & Behavior, 31(2), 143-164. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1090198104263660
Banke-Thomas, A., Banke-Thomas, O., Kivuvani, M., & Ameh, C. A. (2017). Maternal health services utilisation by Kenyan adolescent mothers: Analysis of the demographic health survey 2014. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 12, 37-46. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2017.02.004
Blanc, A, Winfrey, W., & Ross, J. (2013). New findings for maternal mortality age patterns: Aggregated results for 38 countries. PloS One, 8(4), e59864. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0059864
Cha, J. (2021). School Persistence and Dropout Amidst Displacement: The Experiences of Children and Youth in Kakuma Refugee Camp. Teachers College, Columbia University. https://www.proquest.com/openview/7a95603ae59532abc44a6e3ff0c5c116/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
Crichton, J., Ibisomi, L., & Gyimah, S. O. (2012). Mother–daughter communication about sexual maturation, abstinence and unintended pregnancy: Experiences from an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya. Journal of Adolescence, 35(1), 21-30. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2011.06.008
Denwigwe, C., Okpechi, P., Asuquo, P., & Eze, A. (2018). Family Influences on Substance Abuse Tendency among Secondary School Students in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Journal of pharmaceutical research international, 23(2), 1-6. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.9734/JPRI/2018/42708
Domenech, E., & Mora-Ninci, C. (2012). World Bank discourse and policy on education and cultural diversity for Latin America. In Global neoliberalism and education and its consequences (pp. 171-190). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780203891858-13/world-bank-discourse-policy-education-cultural-diversity-latin-america-eduardo-domenech-carlos-mora-ninci
Dupuy, K., Bezu, S., Knudsen, A., Halvorsen, S., Kwauk, C., Braga, A., & Kim, H. (2018). Life Skills in Non-Formal Contexts for Adolescent Girls in Developing Countries. CMI Report Number 5. Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED586329
Eyeberu, A., Getachew, T., Sertsu, A., Sisay, M., Baye, Y., Debella, A., & Alemu, A. (2022). Teenage pregnancy and its predictors in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Health Sciences, 16(6), 47. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9682880/
Eysenck, M. W., & Keane, M. T. (2015). Cognitive Psychology: A Student’s Handbook (7th ed.). Psychology Press. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781351058513/cognitive-psychology-mark-keane-michael-eysenck
Ghose, S., & John, L. B. (2017). Adolescent pregnancy: an overview. International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 6(10), 4197-4203. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Seetesh-Ghose/publication/320006421_Adolescent_pregnancy_an_overview/links/59d9e6c8aca272e6096bc20e/Adolescent-pregnancy-an-overview.pdf
Giannakaki, M. S. (2005). Using mixed-methods to examine teachers' attitudes to educational change: The case of the skills for life strategy for improving adult literacy and numeracy skills in England. Educational Research and Evaluation, 11(4), 323-348. https://doi.org/10.1080/13803610500110687
Håkansson, M., Super, S., Oguttu, M., & Makenzius, M. (2020). Social judgments on abortion and contraceptive use: A mixed methods study among secondary school teachers and student peer-counsellors in western Kenya. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1-13. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08578-9
Heizomi, H., Allahverdipour, H., Jafarabadi, M. A., Bhalla, D., & Nadrian, H. (2020). Effects of a mental health promotion intervention on mental health of Iranian female adolescents: A school-based study. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 14(1), 1-10. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-020-00342-6
Holt, K., Reed, R., Crear-Perry, J., Scott, C., Wulf, S., & Dehlendorf, C. (2020). Beyond same-day long-acting reversible contraceptive access: A person-centered framework for advancing high-quality, equitable contraceptive care. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 222(4), S878-e1. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2019.11.1279
Hormenu, T., Akutu, P. K., & Oklu, S. (2017). Factors influencing teenage pregnancy in Komenda, Edina, Eguafo Abirem Municipality: Factors influencing teenage pregnancy in Komenda, Edina, Eguafo Abirem Municipality. Ghana Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sports and Dance (GJOHPERSD), 10(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.47963/gjohpersd.v10i1.541
Jessor, R. (2016). Problem Behavior Theory and Adolescent Health: The Collected Works of Richard Jessor. Springer. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-51349-2
Kapungu, C., Petroni, S., Allen, N. B., Brumana, L., Collins, P. Y., De Silva, M., Dua, T., Haj-Ahmad, J., Leichner, A., &
Patton, G. (2018). Gendered influences on adolescent mental health in low-income and middle-income countries: Recommendations from an expert convening. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 2(2), 85-86. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(17)30152-9
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). (2022). Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022. KNBS.
Keya, R. S. (2023). Teachers’ perceptions on the influence of life skills education on moral behavior of students in secondary schools in Emuhaya sub county, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, Maseno University).
Kinabo, U., & Eduful, J. (2021). Discrimination in education against pregnant girls in Tanzania. (Masters Thesis Diaconia University of Applied Science). https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/508498
Kincaid, D. L., Yun, S. H., Piotrow, P. T., & Yaser, S. (2013). Health communication programs in developing countries. Journal of Health Communication, 18(1), 120-135.
Kirchhoff, E., & Keller, R. (2021, June). Age-specific life skills education in school: A systematic review. In Frontiers in Education (Vol. 6, p. 660878). Frontiers Media SA. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.660878
Lacerda-Pinheiro, S. F., Junior, R. F. F. P., de Lima, M. A. P., da Silva, C. G. L., dos Santos, M. do S. V., Júnior, A. G. T., de Oliveira, P. N. L., Ribeiro, K. D. B., Rolim-Neto, M. L., & Bianco, B. A. V. (2014). Are there depression and anxiety genetic markers and mutations? A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 168, 387-398. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2014.07.016
Luszczynska, A., & Schwarzer, R. (2015). Social cognitive theory. In M. Conner & P. Norman (Eds.), Predicting and Changing Health Behavior (pp. 127-169). Open University Press.
Maithreyi, R. (2015). Reconceptualising life skills education. A critical analysis of ideas around ‘childhood’,‘risks’ and ‘success. http://eprints.nias.res.in/1066/
Mallepalli, A. (2019). Stigma, violence, and pregnancy: Exploring treatment of women with opioid use disorder (Doctoral dissertation). University of Pittsburgh. http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/36526/
Mavedzenge, S. N., Luecke, E., & Ross, D. A. (2014). Effective approaches for programming to reduce adolescent vulnerability to HIV infection, HIV risk, and HIV-related morbidity and mortality: a systematic review of systematic reviews. JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 66, S154-S169. https://journals.lww.com/jaids/fulltext/2014/07011/Effective_Approaches_for_Programming_to_Reduce.3.aspx
Mayabi, M. J. (2015). Influence Of School-Based Life Skills Education Programme On Students’sexual Behaviour In Secondary Schools In Nairobi And Busia Counties Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, Kabarak University). http://library.kabarak.ac.ke:8080/handle/123456789/241
McRae, K. D. (2011). Examining Sexual Media Exposure and Adolescent Sexual Health Outcomes: A Qualitative Research Integration. University of Illinois at Chicago, Health Sciences Center. https://www.proquest.com/openview/ccdc417c62b0288f4a125787914e2762/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750
Mischel, W. (2004). Toward an integrative science of the person. Annual Review of Psychology, 55, 1-22.
Mittendorfer Rutz, E., & Wasserman, D. (2004). Trends in adolescent suicide mortality in the WHO European Region. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 13(5), 321-331. Retreived from https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-004-0406-y
Muro, M., & Jeffrey, M. (2008). The effects of reinforcement on behavior in elementary school children. Journal of Applied Psychology, 93(3), 567-578.
Musyimi, C. W., Mutiso, V. N., Nyamai, D. N., Ebuenyi, I., & Ndetei, D. M. (2020b). Suicidal behavior risks during adolescent pregnancy in a low-resource setting: A qualitative study. PLoS One, 15(7), e0236269. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0236269
Musyoka, J. M., Cheloti, S. K., & Kasivu, G. M. (2024). Life skills education; investigating its relationship with teenage pregnancy in public secondary schools in Kenya. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 8(5), 1647-1659. https://econpapers.repec.org/article/bcpjournl/v_3a8_3ay_3a2024_3ai_3a5_3ap_3a1647-1659.htm
Näslund-Hadley, E., & Binstock, G. (2010). The miseducation of Latin American girls: Poor schooling makes pregnancy a rational choice. Inter-American Development Bank, Education Division. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/
publication/254422766_The_Miseducation_of_Latin_American_Girls_Poor_Schooling_Makes_Pregnancy_a_Rational_Choice
Ndlovu, T. S. (2019). Perceptions of Educators Towards Teenage Pregnancy in Selected Schools in UMkhanyakude District: Implications for Action (Doctoral dissertation, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville). https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/373388333.pdf
Ng’ang’a, T. K. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 Measures on Kenya’s Education Sector (Working Paper - COVID-19_011). African Economic Research Consortium, Nairobi. Retrieved from http://publication.aercafricalibrary.org/handle/123456789/2883
Njeru, J. M. (2024). Selected Socio-Cultural Influence On Teenage Pregnancy Among Secondary School Students In Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation).
Norbu, L., & Gurung, N. (2021). Action Research Addressing the Implementation of Life Skills Education on Adolescent Reproductive Sexual Health (Teenage Pregnancy, Sexual Activities, STIs, HIV/AIDs) for the Positive Behavioural Outcome. Asian J Biology, 7-27. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lhawang-Norbu-2/publication/355700353_Reviewers_1_Maninder_Singh_Setia_Mahatma_Gandhi_Mission_Institute_of_Health_Sciences/links/617a555d0be8ec17a93bb157/Reviewers-1-Maninder-Singh-Setia-Mahatma-Gandhi-Mission-Institute-of-Health-Sciences.pdf
Ormrod, J. E. (2012). Human Learning (6th ed.). Pearson.
Owens, M., Stevenson, J., Hadwin, J. A., & Norgate, R. (2012). Anxiety and depression in academic performance: An exploration of the mediating factors of worry and working memory. School Psychology International, 33(4), 433-449. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1177/0143034311427433
Pajares, F. (2002). Gender and perceived self-efficacy in self-regulated learning. Theory into Practice, 41(2), 116-125.
Pezzulo, C. (2012). Reproduction and maternal health care among young women in Kenya: geographic and socio-economic determinants. (Doctoral Dissertation, University of Bologna) https://amsdottorato.unibo.it/id/eprint/5039/
Presler-Marshall, E., & Jones, N. (2012). Empowering girls to prevent early pregnancy. Oversees Development Institute. Retrieved from https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/150791/7724.pdf
Rahman, A., Surkan, P. J., Cayetano, C. E., Rwagatare, P., & Dickson, K. E. (2013). Grand challenges: Integrating maternal mental health into maternal and child health programmes. PLoS Medicine, 10(5), e1001442. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001442
Rahyani, N. K. Y. (2023). HIV/AIDS problems and policies in adolescent population. In Integrated science of global epidemics (pp. 545-561). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Riad, S. S. (2023). Challenges of Implementing Life Skills-based Education at Secondary Level in Bangladesh (Doctoral dissertation, © University of Dhaka). http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2375
Santrock, J. W. (2021). Educational Psychology (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Sayed, H. A., Elwahab, E. L., Rasmia, A. E., Sattar, A., Ahmed, F. M., & Hedya, F. M. (2019). The effect of life skills intervention on social self-efficacy for prevention of drug abuse among young adolescent students at Benha City. American Journal of Nursing Science, 8(5), 263-273. https://www.bu.edu.eg/portal/uploads/Nursing/Psychiatric%20Nursing/1858/publications/Faten%20Mohamed%20Ahmed_fifth.pdf
Shirao, B., Momanyi, M., & Anyona, J. (2020). Implementation of Life Skills Education towards Curbing Teenage Pregnancy in Public Secondary Schools in Makadara Sub County Nairobi, Kenya. Journal of Popular Education in Africa. 4(10), 92 -111
Shunza, F. I. (2014). School based factors influencing implementation of life skills Education curriculum in public primary schools in Dagoretti district, Nairobi County (Doctoral dissertation). https://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/74039
Stark, L., Asghar, K., Seff, I., Cislaghi, B., Yu, G., Gessesse, T. T., Eoomkham, J., Baysa, A. A., & Falb, K. (2018). How gender-and violence-related norms affect self-esteem among adolescent refugee girls living in Ethiopia. Global Mental Health, 5. Retrieved from https://doi:10.1017/gmh.2017.28
Toska, E., Laurenzi, C. A., Roberts, K. J., Cluver, L., & Sherr, L. (2020). Adolescent mothers affected by HIV and their children: A scoping review of evidence and experiences from sub-Saharan Africa. Global Public Health, 15(11), 1655-1673. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2020.1775867
Tull, K. (2020). Consequences for adolescents when they become pregnant, and become mothers. K4D Helpdesk Report 882. Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies. Retrieved from https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/handle/20.500.12413/15727
Undie, C.-C., MacKenzie, I., Birungi, H., Barongo, S., Ahindukha, D., & Omondi, C. (2015). Education sector response to early and unintended pregnancy: A policy dialogue in Homa Bay County, Kenya. STEP UP Meeting Report. Nairobi: Population Council. Retrieved from https://knowledgecommons.popcouncil.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1254&context=departments_sbsr-rh
UNESCO. (2021). Comprehensive Sexuality Education and Adolescent Well-being in Africa. UNESCO Publishing.
UNICEF (2024). Early childbearing. https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-health/adolescent-health/
Vanwesenbeeck, I. (2020). Comprehensive sexuality education. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Global Public Health. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Waiganjo, M. M., & Waiganjo, M. M. (2018). Relevance of life skills Education in preparing Kenyan Youth for National Development. Journal of African Studies in Educational Management and Leadership Vol: 10, 85-103. [Retrieved from.
Wastnedge, E. A., Reynolds, R. M., Van Boeckel, S. R., Stock, S. J., Denison, F. C., Maybin, J. A., & Critchley, H. O. (2021).
Pregnancy and COVID-19. Physiological Reviews, 101(1), 303-318. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1152%2Fphysrev.00003.2022
Weiss, T., & Schiele, S. (2013). Virtual worlds in competitive contexts: Analyzing eSports consumer needs. Electronic Markets, 23(4), 307-316. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/s12525-013-0127-5
Wentzel, K. R. (2012). Social influences on school adjustment: Commentary. Educational Psychologist, 47(1), 16-22.
World Bank (2020). Tanzania Secondary Education Quality Improvement Program (SEQUIP). The World Bank. Retrieved from https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P170480
Zimmerman, B. J., & Schunk, D. H. (2011). Self-Regulated Learning and Academic Achievement: Theoretical Perspectives. Routledge.
Althabe, F., Moore, J. L., Gibbons, L., Berrueta, M., Goudar, S. S., Chomba, E., Derman, R. J., Patel, A., Saleem, S., &
Pasha, O. (2015). Adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in adolescent pregnancies: The Global Network’s Maternal Newborn Health Registry study. Reproductive Health, 12(2), 1-9. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4755-12-S2-S8
Bandiera, O., Buehren, N., Burgess, R., Goldstein, M., Gulesci, S., Rasul, I., & Sulaiman, M. (2012). Empowering Adolescent Girls. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/25529/755660WP0Empow00Box374337B00PUBLIC0.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Bandiera, O., Buehren, N., Burgess, R., Goldstein, M., Gulesci, S., Rasul, I., & Sulaiman, M. (2012). Empowering Adolescent Girls. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/25529/755660WP0Empow00Box374337B00PUBLIC0.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Prentice-Hall. https://www.asecib.ase.ro/mps/Bandura_SocialLearningTheory.pdf
Bandura, A. (1986). Social Foundations of Thought and Action: A Social Cognitive Theory. Prentice-Hall. https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=PdY9o3l5vpYC&oi=fnd&pg=PA94&dq=Bandura,+A.+(1986).+Social+Foundations+of+Thought+and+Action:+A+Social+Cognitive+Theory.+Prentice-Hall.&ots=uHfVrUXibL&sig=DgZbRNihgWZhi5L4HvU42oaYxKI&redir_esc=y
Bandura, A. (1989). Human agency in social cognitive theory. American Psychologist, 44(9), 1175–1184. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/0003-066X.44.9.1175
Bandura, A. (2004). Health promotion by social cognitive means. Health Education & Behavior, 31(2), 143-164. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1090198104263660
Banke-Thomas, A., Banke-Thomas, O., Kivuvani, M., & Ameh, C. A. (2017). Maternal health services utilisation by Kenyan adolescent mothers: Analysis of the demographic health survey 2014. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 12, 37-46. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2017.02.004
Blanc, A, Winfrey, W., & Ross, J. (2013). New findings for maternal mortality age patterns: Aggregated results for 38 countries. PloS One, 8(4), e59864. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0059864
Cha, J. (2021). School Persistence and Dropout Amidst Displacement: The Experiences of Children and Youth in Kakuma Refugee Camp. Teachers College, Columbia University. https://www.proquest.com/openview/7a95603ae59532abc44a6e3ff0c5c116/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
Crichton, J., Ibisomi, L., & Gyimah, S. O. (2012). Mother–daughter communication about sexual maturation, abstinence and unintended pregnancy: Experiences from an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya. Journal of Adolescence, 35(1), 21-30. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2011.06.008
Denwigwe, C., Okpechi, P., Asuquo, P., & Eze, A. (2018). Family Influences on Substance Abuse Tendency among Secondary School Students in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Journal of pharmaceutical research international, 23(2), 1-6. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.9734/JPRI/2018/42708
Domenech, E., & Mora-Ninci, C. (2012). World Bank discourse and policy on education and cultural diversity for Latin America. In Global neoliberalism and education and its consequences (pp. 171-190). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780203891858-13/world-bank-discourse-policy-education-cultural-diversity-latin-america-eduardo-domenech-carlos-mora-ninci
Dupuy, K., Bezu, S., Knudsen, A., Halvorsen, S., Kwauk, C., Braga, A., & Kim, H. (2018). Life Skills in Non-Formal Contexts for Adolescent Girls in Developing Countries. CMI Report Number 5. Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED586329
Eyeberu, A., Getachew, T., Sertsu, A., Sisay, M., Baye, Y., Debella, A., & Alemu, A. (2022). Teenage pregnancy and its predictors in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Health Sciences, 16(6), 47. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9682880/
Eysenck, M. W., & Keane, M. T. (2015). Cognitive Psychology: A Student’s Handbook (7th ed.). Psychology Press. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781351058513/cognitive-psychology-mark-keane-michael-eysenck
Ghose, S., & John, L. B. (2017). Adolescent pregnancy: an overview. International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 6(10), 4197-4203. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Seetesh-Ghose/publication/320006421_Adolescent_pregnancy_an_overview/links/59d9e6c8aca272e6096bc20e/Adolescent-pregnancy-an-overview.pdf
Giannakaki, M. S. (2005). Using mixed-methods to examine teachers' attitudes to educational change: The case of the skills for life strategy for improving adult literacy and numeracy skills in England. Educational Research and Evaluation, 11(4), 323-348. https://doi.org/10.1080/13803610500110687
Håkansson, M., Super, S., Oguttu, M., & Makenzius, M. (2020). Social judgments on abortion and contraceptive use: A mixed methods study among secondary school teachers and student peer-counsellors in western Kenya. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1-13. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08578-9
Heizomi, H., Allahverdipour, H., Jafarabadi, M. A., Bhalla, D., & Nadrian, H. (2020). Effects of a mental health promotion intervention on mental health of Iranian female adolescents: A school-based study. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 14(1), 1-10. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-020-00342-6
Holt, K., Reed, R., Crear-Perry, J., Scott, C., Wulf, S., & Dehlendorf, C. (2020). Beyond same-day long-acting reversible contraceptive access: A person-centered framework for advancing high-quality, equitable contraceptive care. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 222(4), S878-e1. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2019.11.1279
Hormenu, T., Akutu, P. K., & Oklu, S. (2017). Factors influencing teenage pregnancy in Komenda, Edina, Eguafo Abirem Municipality: Factors influencing teenage pregnancy in Komenda, Edina, Eguafo Abirem Municipality. Ghana Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sports and Dance (GJOHPERSD), 10(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.47963/gjohpersd.v10i1.541
Jessor, R. (2016). Problem Behavior Theory and Adolescent Health: The Collected Works of Richard Jessor. Springer. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-51349-2
Kapungu, C., Petroni, S., Allen, N. B., Brumana, L., Collins, P. Y., De Silva, M., Dua, T., Haj-Ahmad, J., Leichner, A., &
Patton, G. (2018). Gendered influences on adolescent mental health in low-income and middle-income countries: Recommendations from an expert convening. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 2(2), 85-86. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(17)30152-9
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). (2022). Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022. KNBS.
Keya, R. S. (2023). Teachers’ perceptions on the influence of life skills education on moral behavior of students in secondary schools in Emuhaya sub county, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, Maseno University).
Kinabo, U., & Eduful, J. (2021). Discrimination in education against pregnant girls in Tanzania. (Masters Thesis Diaconia University of Applied Science). https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/508498
Kincaid, D. L., Yun, S. H., Piotrow, P. T., & Yaser, S. (2013). Health communication programs in developing countries. Journal of Health Communication, 18(1), 120-135.
Kirchhoff, E., & Keller, R. (2021, June). Age-specific life skills education in school: A systematic review. In Frontiers in Education (Vol. 6, p. 660878). Frontiers Media SA. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.660878
Lacerda-Pinheiro, S. F., Junior, R. F. F. P., de Lima, M. A. P., da Silva, C. G. L., dos Santos, M. do S. V., Júnior, A. G. T., de Oliveira, P. N. L., Ribeiro, K. D. B., Rolim-Neto, M. L., & Bianco, B. A. V. (2014). Are there depression and anxiety genetic markers and mutations? A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 168, 387-398. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2014.07.016
Luszczynska, A., & Schwarzer, R. (2015). Social cognitive theory. In M. Conner & P. Norman (Eds.), Predicting and Changing Health Behavior (pp. 127-169). Open University Press.
Maithreyi, R. (2015). Reconceptualising life skills education. A critical analysis of ideas around ‘childhood’,‘risks’ and ‘success. http://eprints.nias.res.in/1066/
Mallepalli, A. (2019). Stigma, violence, and pregnancy: Exploring treatment of women with opioid use disorder (Doctoral dissertation). University of Pittsburgh. http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/36526/
Mavedzenge, S. N., Luecke, E., & Ross, D. A. (2014). Effective approaches for programming to reduce adolescent vulnerability to HIV infection, HIV risk, and HIV-related morbidity and mortality: a systematic review of systematic reviews. JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 66, S154-S169. https://journals.lww.com/jaids/fulltext/2014/07011/Effective_Approaches_for_Programming_to_Reduce.3.aspx
Mayabi, M. J. (2015). Influence Of School-Based Life Skills Education Programme On Students’sexual Behaviour In Secondary Schools In Nairobi And Busia Counties Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, Kabarak University). http://library.kabarak.ac.ke:8080/handle/123456789/241
McRae, K. D. (2011). Examining Sexual Media Exposure and Adolescent Sexual Health Outcomes: A Qualitative Research Integration. University of Illinois at Chicago, Health Sciences Center. https://www.proquest.com/openview/ccdc417c62b0288f4a125787914e2762/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750
Mischel, W. (2004). Toward an integrative science of the person. Annual Review of Psychology, 55, 1-22.
Mittendorfer Rutz, E., & Wasserman, D. (2004). Trends in adolescent suicide mortality in the WHO European Region. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 13(5), 321-331. Retreived from https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-004-0406-y
Muro, M., & Jeffrey, M. (2008). The effects of reinforcement on behavior in elementary school children. Journal of Applied Psychology, 93(3), 567-578.
Musyimi, C. W., Mutiso, V. N., Nyamai, D. N., Ebuenyi, I., & Ndetei, D. M. (2020b). Suicidal behavior risks during adolescent pregnancy in a low-resource setting: A qualitative study. PLoS One, 15(7), e0236269. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0236269
Musyoka, J. M., Cheloti, S. K., & Kasivu, G. M. (2024). Life skills education; investigating its relationship with teenage pregnancy in public secondary schools in Kenya. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 8(5), 1647-1659. https://econpapers.repec.org/article/bcpjournl/v_3a8_3ay_3a2024_3ai_3a5_3ap_3a1647-1659.htm
Näslund-Hadley, E., & Binstock, G. (2010). The miseducation of Latin American girls: Poor schooling makes pregnancy a rational choice. Inter-American Development Bank, Education Division. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/
publication/254422766_The_Miseducation_of_Latin_American_Girls_Poor_Schooling_Makes_Pregnancy_a_Rational_Choice
Ndlovu, T. S. (2019). Perceptions of Educators Towards Teenage Pregnancy in Selected Schools in UMkhanyakude District: Implications for Action (Doctoral dissertation, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville). https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/373388333.pdf
Ng’ang’a, T. K. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 Measures on Kenya’s Education Sector (Working Paper - COVID-19_011). African Economic Research Consortium, Nairobi. Retrieved from http://publication.aercafricalibrary.org/handle/123456789/2883
Njeru, J. M. (2024). Selected Socio-Cultural Influence On Teenage Pregnancy Among Secondary School Students In Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation).
Norbu, L., & Gurung, N. (2021). Action Research Addressing the Implementation of Life Skills Education on Adolescent Reproductive Sexual Health (Teenage Pregnancy, Sexual Activities, STIs, HIV/AIDs) for the Positive Behavioural Outcome. Asian J Biology, 7-27. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lhawang-Norbu-2/publication/355700353_Reviewers_1_Maninder_Singh_Setia_Mahatma_Gandhi_Mission_Institute_of_Health_Sciences/links/617a555d0be8ec17a93bb157/Reviewers-1-Maninder-Singh-Setia-Mahatma-Gandhi-Mission-Institute-of-Health-Sciences.pdf
Ormrod, J. E. (2012). Human Learning (6th ed.). Pearson.
Owens, M., Stevenson, J., Hadwin, J. A., & Norgate, R. (2012). Anxiety and depression in academic performance: An exploration of the mediating factors of worry and working memory. School Psychology International, 33(4), 433-449. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1177/0143034311427433
Pajares, F. (2002). Gender and perceived self-efficacy in self-regulated learning. Theory into Practice, 41(2), 116-125.
Pezzulo, C. (2012). Reproduction and maternal health care among young women in Kenya: geographic and socio-economic determinants. (Doctoral Dissertation, University of Bologna) https://amsdottorato.unibo.it/id/eprint/5039/
Presler-Marshall, E., & Jones, N. (2012). Empowering girls to prevent early pregnancy. Oversees Development Institute. Retrieved from https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/150791/7724.pdf
Rahman, A., Surkan, P. J., Cayetano, C. E., Rwagatare, P., & Dickson, K. E. (2013). Grand challenges: Integrating maternal mental health into maternal and child health programmes. PLoS Medicine, 10(5), e1001442. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001442
Rahyani, N. K. Y. (2023). HIV/AIDS problems and policies in adolescent population. In Integrated science of global epidemics (pp. 545-561). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Riad, S. S. (2023). Challenges of Implementing Life Skills-based Education at Secondary Level in Bangladesh (Doctoral dissertation, © University of Dhaka). http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2375
Santrock, J. W. (2021). Educational Psychology (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Sayed, H. A., Elwahab, E. L., Rasmia, A. E., Sattar, A., Ahmed, F. M., & Hedya, F. M. (2019). The effect of life skills intervention on social self-efficacy for prevention of drug abuse among young adolescent students at Benha City. American Journal of Nursing Science, 8(5), 263-273. https://www.bu.edu.eg/portal/uploads/Nursing/Psychiatric%20Nursing/1858/publications/Faten%20Mohamed%20Ahmed_fifth.pdf
Shirao, B., Momanyi, M., & Anyona, J. (2020). Implementation of Life Skills Education towards Curbing Teenage Pregnancy in Public Secondary Schools in Makadara Sub County Nairobi, Kenya. Journal of Popular Education in Africa. 4(10), 92 -111
Shunza, F. I. (2014). School based factors influencing implementation of life skills Education curriculum in public primary schools in Dagoretti district, Nairobi County (Doctoral dissertation). https://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/74039
Stark, L., Asghar, K., Seff, I., Cislaghi, B., Yu, G., Gessesse, T. T., Eoomkham, J., Baysa, A. A., & Falb, K. (2018). How gender-and violence-related norms affect self-esteem among adolescent refugee girls living in Ethiopia. Global Mental Health, 5. Retrieved from https://doi:10.1017/gmh.2017.28
Toska, E., Laurenzi, C. A., Roberts, K. J., Cluver, L., & Sherr, L. (2020). Adolescent mothers affected by HIV and their children: A scoping review of evidence and experiences from sub-Saharan Africa. Global Public Health, 15(11), 1655-1673. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2020.1775867
Tull, K. (2020). Consequences for adolescents when they become pregnant, and become mothers. K4D Helpdesk Report 882. Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies. Retrieved from https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/handle/20.500.12413/15727
Undie, C.-C., MacKenzie, I., Birungi, H., Barongo, S., Ahindukha, D., & Omondi, C. (2015). Education sector response to early and unintended pregnancy: A policy dialogue in Homa Bay County, Kenya. STEP UP Meeting Report. Nairobi: Population Council. Retrieved from https://knowledgecommons.popcouncil.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1254&context=departments_sbsr-rh
UNESCO. (2021). Comprehensive Sexuality Education and Adolescent Well-being in Africa. UNESCO Publishing.
UNICEF (2024). Early childbearing. https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-health/adolescent-health/
Vanwesenbeeck, I. (2020). Comprehensive sexuality education. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Global Public Health. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Waiganjo, M. M., & Waiganjo, M. M. (2018). Relevance of life skills Education in preparing Kenyan Youth for National Development. Journal of African Studies in Educational Management and Leadership Vol: 10, 85-103. [Retrieved from.
Wastnedge, E. A., Reynolds, R. M., Van Boeckel, S. R., Stock, S. J., Denison, F. C., Maybin, J. A., & Critchley, H. O. (2021).
Pregnancy and COVID-19. Physiological Reviews, 101(1), 303-318. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1152%2Fphysrev.00003.2022
Weiss, T., & Schiele, S. (2013). Virtual worlds in competitive contexts: Analyzing eSports consumer needs. Electronic Markets, 23(4), 307-316. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/s12525-013-0127-5
Wentzel, K. R. (2012). Social influences on school adjustment: Commentary. Educational Psychologist, 47(1), 16-22.
World Bank (2020). Tanzania Secondary Education Quality Improvement Program (SEQUIP). The World Bank. Retrieved from https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P170480
Zimmerman, B. J., & Schunk, D. H. (2011). Self-Regulated Learning and Academic Achievement: Theoretical Perspectives. Routledge.
Article Sidebar
Published
Jun 18, 2025
Article Details
How to Cite
Kimeto , M. C., Njonge , T., & Maritim , E. (2025). Teachers’ Perception on the Influence of Life Skills Education on Teenage Pregnancy in Public Primary Schools in Nandi North Sub-County. Journal of Research in Education and Technology, 3(2), 16–36. https://doi.org/10.69897/joret.v3i2.246
Issue
Section
Original Articles
Author Biographies
Milcah Cherop Kimeto , Department of Psychology, Counselling and Educational Foundations, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536 -20115, Egerton, Njoro, Kenya
Department of Psychology, Counselling and Educational Foundations, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536 -20115, Egerton, Njoro, Kenya
Teresia Njonge , Department of Psychology, Counselling and Educational Foundations, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536 -20115, Egerton, Njoro, Kenya
Department of Psychology, Counselling and Educational Foundations, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536 -20115, Egerton, Njoro, Kenya
Ezra Maritim , Department of Psychology, Counselling and Educational Foundations, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536 -20115, Egerton, Njoro, Kenya
Department of Psychology, Counselling and Educational Foundations, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536 -20115, Egerton, Njoro, Kenya