Predictors of Literacy and School Attainment among Orphan Heads of Households Involved in a Community-Based Empowerment Program in Semi-Rural Kenya

Completion of primary and secondary education, and literacy, are significant determinants of health and livelihood status in later life. Orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in sub-Saharan Africa have higher risk of lower education and literacy attainment than non-OVC. The present study evaluates factors associated with the ability to read two simple sentences and increase years of schooling among OVC heads-ofhousehold participating in a multisectoral empowerment program in semi-rural Kenya. Methods of analysis include simple and multivariable quantile regression of school years completed, and simple and multivariable logistic regression of ability to completely read two sentences, primary and secondary completion. Findings show recency of sexual intercourse, orphan type, improved primary drinking water, resilience, self-efficacy, gender, age, household income and program participation are significantly associated with outcomes of interest. Support for multisectoral empowerment programs may successfully target multiple outcomes of interest, including increases in educational attainment.