Utilization of child spacing services and associated factors among riverine Somali communities in Mandera County, Kenya
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Date
2026-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Medip Academy
Abstract
Background: Child spacing services are a range of healthcare and counselling services supporting one in making
informed decisions about timed and spaced children. According to Kassim and Ndumbaro found that reproductive
health (RH) right enable partners to decide to have or not to have children, number of children and when to do so.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design study conducted in Mandera County between July 2024 to December
2024. SPPS version 25 was used for statistical analysis. Chi-square test was used to assess relationships between
variables at a level of confidence of 95%.
Results: Results showed that the age of participants showed a statistically significant association with the uptake of
child spacing services (p=0.014). Educational level attained was statistically linked with uptake of child spacing
services (p=0.036), occupation (p=0.006), and number of children (p=0.028). However, the nuptial status did not
show a significantly statistical linkage with the uptake of child spacing services (p=0.177). There was statistical
relationship between knowledge level with the uptake of child spacing services (χ2=6.476, p=0.039). Religion,
decision maker, threats by partner and stigma were social cultural factors that significantly affected uptake of child
spacing services with a p<0.05.
Conclusions: The study further concludes that socio-demographic factors including age, educational level,
occupation and number of children were significantly associated with uptake of child spacing services. Religion,
decision makers, threats from partner and stigma were associated factors that influence uptake of child spacing
services.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Citation
Odo HM, Warutere P, Musau J, Bakari BA, Sheikh FA. Utilization of child spacing services and associated factors among riverine Somali communities in Mandera county, Kenya. Int J Community Med Public Health 2026;13:93-100.