Did you Know?

Kenya’s population is growing at a million a year!

Below are the various Contraceptive Methods (Method Mix) available in Kenya:

From the above, it is clear that the withdrawal method and spermicides are the least effective in preventing pregnancy. The barrier methods such as condoms are less effective. But, it is worth noting that condoms are the only method that prevents both unintended pregnancy as well as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV.

The most effective methods remain the long term methods such as implants and IntraUterine Copper Devices (IUCD) while sterilization (tubal ligation for females and vasectomy for males) are permanent. Permanent methods are irreversible, therefore, only recommended for couples who have attained their reproductive targets.

The Emergency Contraception (popularly known as ‘EC’ or ‘morning after’) is not a regular contraceptive method but only for emergency when a regular method has failed, a condom break or after unprotected sexual intercourse. However, it is important to note that the EC does not cause abortion nor does it offer protection against STIs/HIV.

Contraception Saves Lives

“How can we think about women’s health without family planning?” (Dr K Rogo, WB, during the ICFP in Uganda, 2009). And neo-Malthusians clearly positioned contraception (including abortion) as key to dealing with population dynamics.

Here are some of the benefits of family planning:

1. Demographic bonus: fewer children relieves funds to cater for other socio-economic needs such as improved education, nutrition, better housing, etc
2. Promotes dual protection (condom use) and can help identify HIV infected persons – through integrated and comprehensive services. FP helps avert unintended pregnancy, thus reduce number of HIV positive babies
3. Empowers women and helps improve women’s socio-economic status. According to a study in Zimbabwe, contraception empowered women and influenced their success compared to another study in Ghana which observed that “high fertility reinforced traditional gender roles” where “girls often withdrew from school to help care for younger siblings”. Equally, early childbearing forces girls out of school and caring for a long chain of children force women out of development
4. Family Planning is critical to achieving three MDGS but also the rest of them:
1. Reduce Child Mortality: Birth spacing and limiting unplanned, mistimed pregnancies increases child survival because the mothers are better able to care for their infants and children
2. Improve Maternal Health: A cost-effective way of reducing maternal mortality especially considering that an unwanted pregnancy would have been avoided in the first place. In limited resource countries with restrictive abortion laws, many women and girls experiencing unwanted pregnancies resort to unsafe abortions. 35 percent of maternal death occurs due to unsafe abortion (CRR, 2010)
3. Improve gender equity: relieves women to participant meaningfully in the labour market and other developmental aspects. FP reduces inequity in the community especially for people with disabilities, IDPs and refugees thereby helping curb poverty
4. Combat HIV and AIDS and other diseases: “Contraception is the best kept secret in HIV prevention. Preventing pregnancies among HIV positive women who do not wish to become pregnant reduces HIV positive births” (W Cates notes from the ICFP in Uganda, FHI, 2009)
5. Universal Education:

Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive impact

of girls' education on child and maternal mortality, health,

fertility rates, poverty, and economic growth. Girls’ educational attainment, level of involvement in the labor force, and capability as caretakers of the next generation has a great impact on entire communities. (PRB, 2010)

6. Reduces cost of conducting business both in the public and private sectors, e.g. in terms of medical cover for staff, medical costs related to pregnancy and childbirth, leave of absence (maternity and paternity) and employee attrition. FP also reduces cases of HIV infection (WHO/USAID, 2008)
7. Reduces health worker burden: Quality FP services translate to fewer cases of obstetric emergencies, especially by young girls (aged 15-19), post abortion complications, HIV and other high risk pregnancy-related cases. With reduced work load, health workers are also better placed to provide quality services.
8. At national level, FP helps in the attainment of national health goals, e.g. improved health status and wellbeing of women, children and females due to reduced world poverty, reduced HIV transmission and gives women an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to national development (WHO/USAID, 2008).

For more information, contact your healthcare provider

It’s your Life, It’s your Responsibility