Fertility and family planning in Kenya

Abstract

This study had three objectives: to assess the impact of the Kenyan Family Planning Program on fertility during 1969-1979; estimation of contraceptive users and acceptors during 1969-1979 period required to achieve the demographic goal in 1979; and estimation of acceptors and users of contraceptives during 1979-1989 required to achieve the demographic goal in 2000. According to this study the Kenyan National Family Planning Program had some measurable effect on fertility during 1969-1979 period. The study, however, further showed that this was small and thus, fertility was not sufficiently reduced to achieve the demographic goal in 1979. Since fertility continued to rise during this period the small reduction In fertility only slowed the rate of increase of population growth rate. To achieve the demogrpphic goal in 1979; the study showed that the level of contraceptive use and acceptance needed between 1969 and 1978 was much higher than the actual levels during the same period. The analysis in Chapter VI shows, for instance, that in 1978, the required contraceptive acceptance rate among married women was 18.78 percent whereas the actual acceptance rate was estimated as only 3.3 percent. The required acceptance rate would, however, have been much lower (11.33 percent) if the accePtan~rate of discontinuation were low. Further analysis in the same chapter shows that the level of contraceptive use in Kenya was also low. It is estimated that about 22.36 -- - v - percent of married women of reproductive age users would have been required in 1978. Actual use in 1978 was estimated as only 5.2 percent. In Chapter VII, the level of contraceptive use and acceptance needed to achieve the d~nographic goal in 1989 was estimated. The analysis in this chapter reveal that to achieve the demographic goal both the contraceptive acceptance and use rates among married women, would need to be much higher than during the 1969-1979 decade. The analysis further shows that the acceptance rate can be reduced substantially if acceptor- discontinuation rates are low. In the concluding chapter it is recommended that the acceptors recruiting staff and supplies of contraceptives would need to be increased substantially if the program is to achieve its demographic goals. The infonnation supplied by this study is also useful for planning at the national level.