Utilization of Male Contraceptives in Bungoma County, Kenya
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Date
2025-11
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Despite Kenya putting in place several policies to promote male participation in family planning, data on male contraceptive use by male respondents is scanty, yet literature indicate that up to 80% utilization of contraceptives among couples is determined by males. Male contraceptive utilization has been reported to be low (<1.5%) in Bungoma County. Coupled with high contraceptive unmet needs among women, it contributes to the high teenage and unplanned or unwanted pregnancies contributing to the high maternal mortality of 382/100,000 live births in the County. Limited male contraceptive choices and utilization calls for more research to facilitate development and rollout of new male contraceptives. This study was to determine utilization of male contraceptives among male adults in Bungoma county. Findings of this study will contribute to the male contraceptive utilization improvement and new contraceptive development databank that will inform future policy and program strategy formulation to accelerate progress towards meeting the sustainable development goal 3.7. This was a Cross-sectional Analytical study that was conducted in Bungoma County targeting males aged 20-69 years in 2022. Sample size was determined by Fisher et al. formula and multistage sampling technique was employed. Key Interview Informant guide and semi structured questionnaire were used. Quantitative data was managed through SPSS version 26 while qualitative data was managed through thematic content analysis. Chi squire and Fishers exact tests were applied for inferential statistics. The study engaged 395 respondents with 99.5% response rate. Majority (80.9%) of males use contraceptives with condom being the most used contraceptive (89.3%) while 5.3% reported to have undergone vasectomy. Commodity related issues (X2 =40.570, p < 0.001), service delivery point (X2 = 82.252, p < 0.001), staff gender preference (X2 = 10.013, p = 0.022) were found to be statistically significant barriers to utilization. There was a significant association between level of knowledge and male contraceptive utilization (X2 = 59.286, p < 0.001). Majority (82.6%) perceived vasectomy as a form of castration, 99% of the males are not aware of any other contraceptive other than condom vasectomy and withdrawal. Majority 89.7% would recommend for condom use while 2.6% would advocate for Vasectomy method. If a new contraceptive would be developed, majority would prefer a pill when required. These findings call for reproductive health stakeholders to invest in targeted health education and sensitization of males on use of surgical vasectomy, continuous health education for service providers to update them on new contraceptives that are under development. There is need for similar research on a larger scale and research on male contraceptive consumer preference to guide development of alternative forms of contraceptives that will be easily embraced by males.
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Public Health, Reproductive Health in the School of Health Sciences of Kenyatta University, November 2025.
Supervisors
1. Prof. Margaret Kerafa
2. Dr. Tutus Kahiga