Document Type
Brief
Publication Date
11-12-2020
Abstract
Between August 15 and 18, 2020, a COVID-19 phone survey was completed with 1,603 10–19-year-old adolescents in Kilifi, Kenya, north of Mombasa. Households were part of the Evaluation of the Nia Project cohort. This brief concludes that COVID-19 public education campaigns in Kisumu should focus on addressing the health, economic, and social impacts of lockdowns. It should be clarified that one can have COVID-19 and not show symptoms and can infect others even if asymptomatic, and common myths surrounding COVID-19 should be addressed. The need to expand the options for students to access educational materials during the period of school closures was stressed. When schools open, close attention should be paid to older adolescents who have started working during COVID-19 to ensure that they re-enroll and complete secondary school. Adolescents are missing meals and food distributions are necessary, targeting those who were receiving meals at school. Although most are not reporting that they feel depressed, many adolescents do feel anxious about COVID-19. Ensuring that they have accurate information and support is critical to improving mental health and preventing social isolation.
DOI
10.31899/pgy17.1009
Language
English
Recommended Citation
"Social, health, education and economic effects of COVID-19 on adolescent girls in Kenya: Responses from the first round of adolescent data collection, August 2020—Kilifi," COVID-19 Research & Evaluations brief. Nairobi: Population Council, 2020.
Project
Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic