Factors Associated With Common Mental Health Disorders among Pregnant and Parenting Teenagers in Korogocho Slums, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Global healthcare trends demonstrate a rise in mental health disorders. Notably, mental health disorders have a considerable negative impact on academic performance, work, close relationships, the global economy, and one’s ability to make positive contributions to the community. Worth noting is that teenage pregnancy shows a positive correlation to mental disorders, most of which are aggravated by the teenagers’ immediate environments hence the need for in-depth understanding of the specific factors associated with common mental disorders (CMDs) among this cohort. This cross-sectional descriptive study sought to establish association between individual factors, sociocultural factors, healthcare services and common mental disorders among pregnant and parenting teenagers. The ecological system theory guided the study. The study employed a mixed method approach under the descriptive study design and was conducted in Korogocho slums, Nairobi County. The Cochran formula was used to obtain the sample size of 185 from a target population of 357 pregnant and parenting teenagers recorded in antenatal, or post-natal registers in health facilities in Korogocho slums. Proportionate stratified random sampling was adopted. The researcher used the health facilities as the strata and subdivided the sample population of 185 proportionately relative to the number of registered pregnant and parenting teenagers in each facility. The participants in each stratum were then purposively selected from the registers, contacted, and followed up in their households. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data and a Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) by WHO was used to collect data on the prevalence of CMDs among the study cohort. Three focused group discussions were held with Key Informants using an interview guide. The research tools were piloted to ensure validity and reliability. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 25 and presented using frequency tables. Interdependence chi square test and fisher’s test were used to examine the association between common mental disorders with p value of <0.005 considered statistically significant. A total of 153 out of 187 (82.7%) participated in the study. The study findings indicated that n=84 (55%) of the respondents had symptoms of CMDs. Moreso, n=49 (32%) of the respondents reported alcohol use, n=40 (26%) bhang use and n=41 (27%) Miraa use. Additionally, study findings showed no significant association between CMDs and Age, or level of education. However, there was significant association between CMDs and income status, gender-based violence, and social support among the study cohort. Notably, the study findings revealed significant association between affordable and adolescent friendly services and CMDs. However, there was no significant association of CMDs with availability of mental health services. In conclusion, mental health disorders are relatively high among pregnant and parenting teenagers in Korogocho slums. Sociocultural and healthcare factors significantly affect the mental wellness of the pregnant and parenting teenagers. The respondents who manifested symptoms of CMDs were advised to seek further healthcare services in facilities of preference. The study recommends integration of responsive mental health services in antenatal care, awareness creation campaigns on mental wellness, community based support groups and income generating programmes targeting pregnant and parenting teenagers.