Determinants of Contraceptive Use among Women of Reproductive Age in Isiolo County, Kenya
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Date
2023
Authors
Murianki, Silas Mutea
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Isiolo County has a low contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) and high total fertility rate (TFR), which contribute to poor maternal and child health outcomes. According to the 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, the national CPR was 58% and the TFR was 3.9 children per woman, while the CPR in Isiolo County was only 27% and the TFR was 4.9 children per woman. Understanding the determinants of contraceptive use in this context is critical to designing effective interventions to promote family planning. This study examined reproductive-age women’s probability of using contraceptives relative to policy and social economic determinants in Isiolo County, Kenya. Despite significant efforts made by the government of Kenya to increase the contraceptive prevalence rate while reducing the total fertility rate over the years, Isiolo County's contraceptive prevalence rate is far below the national average, including what is stipulated as a target in the County’s Integrated Development Plan 2018 to 2022. This study's objectives were to; establish family planning and population policies, identify family planning services available for use, and examine the socio-economic elements that impact contraceptive use by women of reproductive age in Isiolo County. The project used a cross-sectional research design to collect and analyse quantitative and qualitative data from a cross-section of respondents, including women visiting health facilities, health officials, and administrative and spiritual leaders within the community. Out of the target population of 25,797 women aged between 18 and 49 years, a sample of 135 respondents were selected to participate in the study. One hundred and ten women were successfully interviewed using a computer-assisted personal interview, and ten key informant interviews were conducted. 10 key informants were engaged in in-depth interviews due to their vast understanding of the community’s social life, beliefs, and practices. Before the data collection exercise, ethical clearance was sought, and research permission was acquired from the National Commission for Science, Research, and Technology. Respondents were accorded sufficient background information about the project, assured of the confidentiality of the information they would provide, and made aware that participation was voluntary. The data collected was then sorted into qualitative and quantitative datasets. The qualitative dataset was analysed thematically using a theoretically established thematic analysis model, while statistical methods such as mean, standard deviation, percentages, p-values, and binary regression analysis models were used for the quantitative data. Triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data was done during the final preparation of the research report. The study established that place of residence (p=0.019<0.05), woman’s age (p=0.010<0.05), educational attainment (p=0.000<0.05), income level (p=0.000<0.05), exposure to current news (p=0.007<0.05) and contraceptives available were significant determinants of use of contraceptive. The study concludes that perception of cost, marital status, distance to the nearest health facility were not significant determinants of contraceptive use. The study recommends developing culturally responsive family planning policies and implementation guidelines that include men as family planning users and key actors in the family planning decision-makers and having deliberate efforts made to provide contraceptive acceptability among the male community members.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master’s in Public Policy and Administration Of Kenyatta University, May 2023.
Keywords
Contraceptive Use, Women of Reproductive Age, Isiolo County, Kenya