Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Age of First Pregnancy among Teenage Mothers in Mathare Informal Settlement, Nairobi, Kenya

This study purposed to determine the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the age of first pregnancy. Teenage mothers in one of the informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to establish the ACEs experienced by teenage mothers; the age at first pregnancy for teen mothers; challenges that teenage mothers go through; and to evaluate the relationship between ACES and age at first pregnancy among teenage mothers in the informal settlements of Nairobi County, Kenya. A descriptive correlational design was used and a total of 150 respondents were selected via convenience sampling. The results showed that the sample size had a considerable risk of ACEs with a mean of 8.14 (SD = 1.46). Verbal abuse was the highest reported ACEs (M = 1.00 SD = 0.00) followed by physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse; all having a mean of 0.99 (SD = 0.12) respectively. The average age at first pregnancy was 15 years (SD = 1.63). Among the challenges experienced by teen mothers, lack of financial support and dropping out of school were the main challenges. The other challenges were stigma from society, especially family and friends. The results on the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and age at first pregnancy showed that there was a statistically significant negative relationship r = -0.243 p < 0.05. The study recommends that the county government should provide safe space for young girls to seek psychological support and counseling in connection with teen pregnancy.