Role of Church Leadership in Addressing Teenage Pregnancies among High School Girls in Tigania Central, Meru County, Kenya

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy is a global challenge both in the developed and developing world. It deteriorates the victim‟s life by causing school interruption, psychological, social, physical and economic challenges. Church leaders have an important role to play in addressing teenage pregnancies by influencing the church, schools and the community in general. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of church leadership in addressing teenage pregnancies among high school girls in Tigania Central, Meru County. The objectives of the study were to assess the pastoral role of church leaders in addressing teenage pregnancy among high school girls in Tigania Central Meru County, to examine the advocacy role of church leaders in addressing teenage pregnancy among high school girls in Tigania Central Meru County and to establish the role of catechism training in addressing teenage pregnancy among high school girls in Tigania Central Meru County. The study was guided by Social Learning theory and Social Action theory. The study used Descriptive design embracing both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Random sampling was used to sample 77 church leaders and purposive sampling to sample 50 teenage high school girls. Data from church leaders was collected using questionnaires and that from the teenage high school girls from selected churches was collected using Focus Group Discussions. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics; percentages, means, and standard deviations while the qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Quantitative findings were presented by use of tables and charts while the qualitative findings were presented in verbatim. This study concluded that the church leaders have a role to play in addressing teenage pregnancies among high school girls in Tigania central. Sixty six (83.2%) respondents agreed that utilization of pastoral programs discipleship programs by the church leadership was key in addressing teenage pregnancy among high school girls in Tigania Central. Offering discipleship and Sunday school programs were recorded as agreeable among church leadership as key in addressing teenage pregnancy with agreeability of 86.7% and 78.2% respectively. Including the teenagers in drawing these programs, appointing youth/teenagers patrons in the church and placing chaplains in church sponsored schools were some of the recommendations made. Fifty eight (82.8%) respondents agreed catechism training was a tool they used to address teenage pregnancy. The need to include younger children in catechism, having an elaborate catechism curriculum and training of catechists were noted as ways to improve on catechism training in addressing teenage pregnancy. Forty eight (68.6%) respondents admitted to using advocacy to address teenage pregnancy among high school girls. Participating in drawing school program (58.6%), teaching PPI in schools (61.5%) and working with NGOs (35%) were listed as the advocacy programs the church leadership used in addressing teenage pregnancy among high school girls in Tigania Central, Meru County. Getting involved with the community elders and including girls in campaign against teenage pregnancy were some of the recommendations made.