Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Relation to Socio Demographic Characteristics among Adolescent Mothers in Kajiado County, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Adolescent mothers are at increased risk of depression and anxiety, yet the factors associated with these conditions remain poorly understood in low-resource settings. This study examined the sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and caregiving factors associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms among adolescent mothers in Kajiado County, Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 163 adolescent mothers aged 12-21 years. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Associations between mental health outcomes and sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and caregiving characteristics were examined using chi-square tests and binary logistic regression analyses. Results: Adolescent mothers aged 19-21 years were significantly less likely to report depressive symptoms than those in the reference age category (OR = 0.167, 95% CI: 0.035-0.791, p = .024). For anxiety, respondents from the Kikuyu (OR = 0.051, p = .023) and Meru (OR = 0.052, p = .003) ethnic groups had significantly lower odds of symptoms, whereas those whose primary source of income was employment (OR = 37.17, p = .019) or government assistance (OR = 5.84, p = .022), and those with access to healthcare services (OR = 3.72, p = .002), had higher odds of anxiety. Additionally, mothers of children aged 1-2 years and ≥6 years were more likely to experience clinical anxiety. Conclusions: Depression and anxiety among adolescent mothers were associated with distinct sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and caregiving characteristics. These findings indicate that the determinants of depression and anxiety differ within this population, highlighting the multifaceted nature of mental health among adolescent mothers in Kajiado County, Kenya.