Welfare Challenges of School Returnee Teenage Mothers in the Post-COVID-19 Context: A Study of Peri-Urban Kakamega County, Kenya

Abstract

This study examines the welfare challenges School Returnee Teenage Mothers experience in peri-urban Kakamega County, Kenya, following the COVID‑19 pandemic. Despite recognition of the general impact of teenage pregnancy on education, little research has examined the welfare challenges of returnee teenage mothers in the post-COVID-19 peri-urban context, where rural and urban vulnerabilities intersect. The study aims to determine the socio-demographic characteristics of School Returnee Teenage Mothers’ households in peri-urban areas of Kakamega County, Kenya, and to determine the welfare challenges of returnee teenage mothers to schools within the post-COVID-19 contexts in peri-urban areas of Kakamega County, Kenya. Using a cross-sectional survey design with a sample of 100 respondents, both quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed to capture the multidimensional nature of welfare challenges. Results revealed that School Returnee Teenage Mothers encounter several overlapping challenges, including childcare responsibilities (93%), gaps in syllabus coverage (81%), mental health stressors (75%), limited livelihood options (73%), and stigma and discrimination (67%). These issues are worsened by unstable household incomes and weak institutional support, undermining successful reintegration both socially and academically. The study concludes that targeted, multi-sectoral interventions including psychosocial support, flexible learning options, and economic empowerment are vital for keeping adolescent mothers in school and supporting their long-term well-being in peri-urban Kenya. The study insights will assist school-returning teenage mothers by identifying their primary welfare issues and guiding tailored interventions to enhance their education, health, and social support. Additionally, it will assist educational institutions, legislators, and NGOs in formulating inclusive policies and initiatives that cater to the needs of School Returnee Teenage Mothers.