Embracing the challenge of adolescent health in Kenya
Document Type
Article
Department
Paediatrics and Child Health (East Africa)
Abstract
In sub-Saharan Africa, adolescents (age 10–19 years) are growing up in challenging social contexts and carry a much heavier burden of disease than their peers in high-income settings. Poverty, early school leaving, child marriage and pregnancy, low health literacy, poor health-seeking behaviour, the long-term effects of childhood malnutrition that persist into adolescence, and a relatively high burden of infectious diseases are key determinants of poor adolescent health status in this region. The HIV epidemic has resulted in a major reorganisation of family roles and responsibilities, disrupting the lives of many adolescents who are also inherently vulnerable to HIV infection because of the developmental changes and characteristic risk-taking behaviour that occurs in this period of life.
Publication (Name of Journal)
Lancet Child & Adolescent Health
Recommended Citation
Karianjahi, N.,
Mbogo, J.,
Wambugu, C.,
Tole, J.,
Agweyu, A.
(2019). Embracing the challenge of adolescent health in Kenya. Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 4(2), 101-103.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/eastafrica_fhs_mc_paediatr_child_health/168