PERCEPTION AND UPTAKE OF CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS AMONG WOMEN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 20-35 YEARS IN KISUMU COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITAL

Abstract

Family planning programs (FPP) have been implemented all over the world, and they have resulted in a number of benefits like management of the world's rapidly growing population through the prevention of unintended pregnancies, the reduction of mother and child mortality, the improvement of the health and financial security of families, and the reduction of the number of cases of abortion. As is the case with a great number of other African countries, Kenya has been at the forefront of promoting the use of contraceptives among women. Injectables constitute forty seven point nine percent (47.9%), implants eighteen point two percent (18.2%), tablets fourteen point one percent (14.1%), male condoms seven point nine percent (7.9%), intrauterine devices five point nine percent (5.9%) and female sterilization five point six (5.6%) of family planning methods that are implemented. There are forty seven million people living in Kenya despite the fact that contraceptive services are available and are being piloted in the majority of the country's rural areas. Despite adoption of the FPP, Kenya's population continues to rise and increase over the years. The growing population presents difficulties for the government in terms of properly allocating resources to meet the needs of the population. There has also been an increase in the number of cases of abortion in Kenya, with data indicating that 464,000 abortions were carried out in the year 2012. The increase in maternal and child deaths has also been a major cause for concern, as it has prompted inquiries into the contributing factors to the observed trends. The current study aimed to determine the perception and uptake of contraception method among women between the ages of 20-35. The study adopted a descriptive study design. The study used simple random data collection and data was collected through questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.