Social Demographic Factors Affecting the Uptake of Modern Contraceptives Methods among Female Adolescents after the First Birth in Kitui County, Kenya
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Date
2023-10
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Publisher
Stratford Peer Reviewed Journals and Book Publishing
Abstract
Globally, adolescents make up 16% of the total population, and 55% of unwanted pregnancies
among adolescent’s end in abortion. Africa has the highest number of adolescents (23%).
Adolescents in Kenya experience a higher risk of unintended pregnancies than older women,
but contraceptive use among them remains very low. Despite various efforts by Kenya's
national and county governments and non-governmental organizations to promote abstinence
among adolescents, these efforts have not been successful. In light of this, this study sought to
assess the prevalence of modern contraceptives and the social demographic factors affecting
the uptake of modern contraceptive methods among female adolescents after the first birth in
Kitui County, Kenya. The 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. The results showed that the usage of modern contraceptives was
generally low (35.2%). However, based on the factors influencing uptake, it was higher among
respondents aged 19 years (57.4%) and those with college education (50.0%). 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. The results revealed that age, education,
and marital status were determinants of modern contraceptive use among adolescents. The
study advocates for increasing the use of modern contraceptives among female adolescents in
Kitui County, recognizing that this is a multi-faceted problem that will require concerted efforts
by all key stakeholders to provide a wide range of interventions. Such stakeholders include the
community, parents, guardians, peers, school teachers and tutors, religious leaders, healthcare
practitioners, and policymakers.
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