Climate Change Exacerbates Resource Insecurities for Young Adolescents in Kenya

Strategic Insights -

A new research study from Simon Fraser University has found a link between climate change, extreme weather events, and sexual and reproductive health among young adolescents in Kenya. The study, published in the BMJ Global Health journal, explored the experiences and pathways of young adolescents aged 10-14 years in various communities across Kenya. The researchers used a multi-method qualitative approach, including focus groups, walk-along interviews, and participatory mapping workshops, to gather data from a total of 297 participants.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that climate-related changes and extreme weather events increased existing resource insecurities among young adolescents, which in turn were linked to sexual and reproductive health vulnerabilities.
  • Food and water insecurity contributed to young adolescents missing school, experiencing sexual violence, engaging in transactional sex, and exploitative relationships.
  • Sanitation insecurity produced challenges related to menstrual hygiene, sexual violence risks, and transactional sex.
  • Transactional sex and exploitative relationships were linked with unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection risks.
  • The study identified that climate change exacerbated resource insecurities, which may drive sexual and reproductive health outcomes among young adolescents in Kenya.
  • The researchers developed a conceptual model to illustrate the pathways linking climate change, extreme weather events, resource insecurities, and sexual and reproductive health.
  • The study highlights the need for climate-informed interventions to consider these pathways within larger social environmental contexts to advance young adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Kenya.

Statistics:

  • 297 participants were involved in the study, including 119 elders, 60 young adolescent walk-along interview participants, and 118 young adolescent participatory mapping workshop participants.
  • The mean age of elders was 60.6 years (SD: 7.9), while the mean age of young adolescent walk-along interview participants was 13.4 years (SD: 1.5).
  • The mean age of young adolescent participatory mapping workshop participants was 12.1 years (SD: 1.3).
  • 48.7% of elders and 51.4% of young adolescent walk-along interview participants were men.
  • 51.3% of elders and 48.6% of young adolescent walk-along interview participants were women.
  • 50.8% of young adolescent participatory mapping workshop participants were boys, while 49.2% were girls.
  • The study found that 43% of young adolescents reported missing school due to food and water insecurity.

Sources:

  • Climate change, resource insecurities and sexual and reproductive health among young adolescents in Kenya: a multi-method qualitative inquiry. BMJ Global Health, 2025,10(5). (BMJ Global Health - http://gh.bmj.com/)
  • Simon Fraser University Researchers Describe Findings in Climate Change (Climate change, resource insecurities and sexual and reproductive health among young adolescents in Kenya: a multi-method qualitative inquiry). Medical Patent Law Weekly. May 21, 2025; p 114.