As of 2018, survey reports and data from the Ministry of Health and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics showed that the contraceptive prevalence rate stood at 59 per cent from 53.2 per cent in 2014.
The figure is higher than its set target of 58 per cent as of 2018.
Political goodwill at the national level has contributed greatly to this increase.
The government committed to funding and supporting family planning as a development agenda.
CPR however slightly declined in 2013 following the devolution of health to county governments but generally, there has been a steady increase in the uptake of contraceptives in the country.
The increase can be attributed to several initiatives including training of community public health officers to undertake public education at community levels, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
Another significant contributor is the increased sensitisation and advocacy on youth networks to encourage the younger population to undertake contraceptive use.
Furthermore, support from other institutions including non-governmental organisations that champion the use of contraceptives played a huge role in the increase.
A KNBS economic survey report on the uptake of modern contraceptives in the local health facilities for 2016-2020, showed that the most common contraceptive in the country was Family planning injections.
Permanent family planning methods (Male vasectomy and sterilisation tubal litigation) generally recorded lower numbers.
The former recorded 344 clients while the latter experienced a decline to 4,435 from 8,971 in 2019.
There was a general decrease in the uptake of modern contraceptives (in 2020) except for pills; Pills and Combined Oral Contraceptives and Pills Progestin-only.
This decrease may be attributed mainly due to covid restrictions following the outbreak of coronavirus in the country that saw many people being confined in their homes.
Few attended clinics and other health facilities for sexual and reproductive health services including family planning and contraceptive use hence the general decrease in the uptake.
Another important thing to note is that for so long, much of the burden of undertaking contraceptives, not only in Kenya but around the world, has often been left to women.
An important contribution to this pattern in the country can be attributed to cultural beliefs and traditions that bind the different ethnic communities.
Other reasons may include social insecurity, religious beliefs and a general lack of information on sexual and reproductive health.
However, recently this narrative seems to be changing with men beginning to embrace their share in this process.
Additionally, medical scientists recently on March 23 reported a new non-hormonal male contraceptive that proved to be 99 per cent effective in preventing pregnancy without observable side effects.
With such medical breakthroughs, changes in perceptions, and advancements in technology, the uptake of contraceptives, is speculated to increase both in men and women soon.
Student at Multimedia University
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
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