Andima GeorgeColomba K. Muriungi2026-11-052026-11-052025-05Andima, G., & Muriungi, C. K. (2025, June). Examining the sexual and reproductive health literacy crisis for adolescents in rural primary schools in Kisii Central Sub-County, Kenya. CODE. https://code.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Andima-Muriungi_Context-Matters_Final-Paper.pdfhttps://repository.chuka.ac.ke/handle/123456789/23925www.chuka.ac.ke cmuriungi@chuka.ac.keKisii Central Sub-County is one of the most densely populated sub-counties in rural Kenya with a population growthrate of 2.75% compared to 2.28% national population growth rate, according to the National Council for Population andDevelopment (NCPD, 2017). Records available from several health facilities in Kisii County indicate that teenpregnancies are on the rise (Abuga, 2019). The fact that Kisii Central Sub-County continues to experience a surge inthe number of teen pregnancies is a serious concern among health professionals, educationists, politicians and otherstakeholders in the Sub-County. This challenge is caused by both lack of information or limited access to sexual andreproductive health information and services, among other factors as noted in the NCPD report (2017). Researchconducted in Tharaka Nithi County (2018-2019), revealed that girls’ lack of exposure to knowledge on menstruationand sexual reproductive health information and services, contributed towards high levels of teen pregnancies (Muriungiand Andima, 2020). This is a clear testimony that issues of sexual and reproductive health education need to be keyin girls’ empowerment programmes in Kenya. This study therefore sought to establish the nature of Sexual andReproductive Health Literacy Materials (SRHLMs) available to adolescent girls in Kisii Central Sub-County, how thematerials were accessed, and whether the adolescents were able to comprehend messages contained in thesematerials. The study included 225 pupils in grades 5, 6 and class 7 aged between 10-15 years from five (5) primaryschools, 20 teachers, 5 deputy head teachers (one from each of the 5 schools), 5 head teachers (one form each of the5 schools) and 20 community leaders (four from each school). Descriptive survey research design was used togenerate data on the status of the SRHLMs in Kisii Central Sub- County. Both quantitative and qualitative data werecollected. The study was guided by Anna Kågesten & Miranda van Reeuwijk’s conceptual framework for adolescentsexual wellbeing (2021). It was established that there were limited SRHLMs for adolescents in the research communityand the comprehension level by the adolescents was relatively low. A number of recommendations have been madeto help address challenges teens face in addressing their sexual and reproductive health needs.enSexual and reproductive health Adolescent health literacy Teenage pregnancy Reproductive health education Rural primary schools Adolescent girls Kisii County KenyaArticle