title: Trends and correlates of single motherhood in Kenya: Results from the Demographic and Health Survey.
abstract: Single motherhood exposes women to poorer socioeconomic and health outcomes, which may also negatively impact child outcomes. The Demographic and Health Surveys of 1989, 1993, 1998, 2003, and 2009 were used to investigate trends over time and factors associated with single motherhood in Kenya. Urban residence, older age, and poorer economic status were associated with single motherhood over time. Women with more than one child, and those with children under 15 years living at home were less likely to be single mothers. As women become single mothers at different stages, targeted and supportive strategies are required to mitigate associated risks.
authors.affiliation: a Population Dynamics and Reproductive Health Program , African Population and Health Research Center , Nairobi , Kenya.
authors.forename: Stella K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Muthuri
authors.affiliation: b Urbanization and Wellbeing , African Population and Health Research Center , Nairobi , Kenya.
authors.forename: Maharouf
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oyolola
authors.affiliation: c Statistics and Surveys Unit , African Population and Health Research Center , Nairobi , Kenya.
authors.forename: Cheikh
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Faye
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003710:Demography / Q000639:trends*; D004243:Divorce / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008393:Marriage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D015406:Single Parent; D012922:Social Change; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult