BABIES AND BOOKS: INFLUENCE OF STUDENT-MOTHERHOOD ON THE CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED BY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT MOTHERS IN KIRINYAGA UNIVERSITY, KENYA

Abstract

Female students who conceive during their studies at the university face challenges balancing between motherhood and studies. These challenges can affect their ability to successfully accomplish academic goals. This study investigated the challenges faced by student mothers and adopted the role conflict theory as the theoretical framework. The objectives of the study were to determine the academic challenges, establish financial challenges, to examining the child-care challenges, and identify coping mechanisms used by student mothers at Kirinyaga University, Kenya. Cross-sectional research design undertaken using snowballing sampling technical data collected using questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics.  69.2% of respondents’ indicated their children had experienced health problems, 41% had missed class since having a child. 25.6% of the respondents disagreed with the perception that they are unable to concentrate on their studies. 53.9% were unable to access school facilities. These findings will be used by the Medical Department and the Guidance and Counseling Department to advise interventions for student mothers as they continue with their studies.