Climate change driving sexual and reproductive health risks among young adolescents in Kenya

Climate change and extreme weather events are threatening the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of young adolescents in Kenya, according to a recent study published in BMJ Global Health. The study highlights how food, water, and sanitation insecurities are putting young adolescents, especially girls aged 10–14, at risk of various challenges such as school dropout, transactional sex, gender-based violence, and early pregnancy.

“Climate change is not just an environmental issue but also a pressing public health emergency for young adolescents,” says lead author Dr. Carmen Logie, a Professor at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work (FIFSW) and Canada Research Chair in Global Health Equity and Social Justice with Marginalized Populations.

The study, conducted in six climate-affected regions in Kenya, involved 297 participants, including young adolescents and elders. Through focus groups, interviews, and workshops, the researchers explored how climate change-induced insecurities are influencing sexual and reproductive health risks among youth.

The study identified various pathways linking extreme weather events to negative SRH outcomes, such as disrupted food systems contributing to school dropout and sexual exploitation. Water shortages exposed girls to harassment and violence, while lack of access to safe sanitation led to school absences and coercive sexual encounters.

The authors recommend implementing climate-informed SRH interventions tailored to the specific challenges faced by young adolescents in vulnerable settings. They emphasize the importance of addressing root causes of insecurity to protect the health and well-being of young people.