Browsing by Author "Ndambuki, John Kyalo"

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    Uptake of Modern Contraceptive Methods among Female Adolescents after the First Birth in Kitui County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2025-05) Ndambuki, John Kyalo
    Adolescence is the transition phase from childhood to adulthood. An adolescent is any person between the ages of 10 -19 years. In the 21st century, the reproductive health problems of adolescents have become one of the most important health care indicators. Globally, the total population of the adolescents is 16% and 55% of the unwanted pregnancies to the adolescents ends in abortion. Africa has the highest number of adolescents (23%). Adolescents in Kenya experience a higher risk of unintended pregnancies than older women. However, modern contraceptive use remains very low. Despite the various efforts by Kenya’s national and County Governments and Non-Governmental Organisations to promote abstinence among adolescents, it has not yielded fruits. It is in this view that this study sought to assess the uptake of modern contraceptive methods among adolescents after the first birth attending postnatal care in Kitui County. The main objective was to determine the usage of modern contraceptive methods by adolescent girls after first birth in Kitui County. This study was conducted in Kitui County and employed a cross-sectional descriptive survey design targeting adolescent girls between 10 and 19 years who had given birth in the last six months and attended postnatal care in Kyuso, Tseikuru, Mwingi, Nguni, and Nuu sub county Hospitals. The results showed that the usage of modern contraceptives was generally low (35.2%) however based on the factors influencing the uptake, it was high among the respondents aged 19 years (57.4%) and those with college education qualifications (50.0%). Female adolescents with a college education were 3.55 times more likely to use modern contraception (AOR=3.55; p=.000) than those with primary school qualifications. Moreover, it was observed where the religion and the community embraced and allowed the adolescents to use modern contraceptives were 2.25 times (AOR=2.35, p=.000) and 2.23 times (AOR=2.23, p=.000) more likely to use the contraceptives respectively. Again, it was noted where contraceptives services were offered in 24/7, the adolescents had a high chance of 2.83 times to use the methods (AOR=2.83, p=.000). The results revealed that age, education, marital status, religion, knowledge, social media platforms, community myths and beliefs, and healthcare facility-related factors were determinants of modern contraceptives uptake among the adolescents. The study advocate for increasing usage of modern contraceptive to female adolescents in Kitui County is a multi-faceted problem that will require concerted efforts by all key stakeholders to provide wide interventions. Such stakeholders include the community, parents, guardians, peers, school teachers and tutors, religious leaders, healthcare practitioners, and policymakers.