Influence of Mass Media on Contraceptive Use Among Kenyan Women

Abstract

The objective of the study was to establish the relationship between mass media and modern contraceptive use among women in Kenya. Data drawn from the 2008/09 KDHS was used and 5679 women of reproductive age provided the sample for the study. The study used descriptive statistics, cross tabulations and logistic regression for data analysis. The results indicated that 31 percent of the women were using contraceptives. Sixty six percent of women, forty percent of women and thirty six percent of the women were exposed to family planning messages on the radio, television and newspapers respectively. Results of cross tabulations indicated that women who were exposed to family planning messages on the three mass media variables were more likely to use modern contraceptives. In addition more educated women as well as those belonging to households with higher wealth index were more likely to use modern contraceptives. The results showed that women in their thirties, married women and women with more living children were likely to use modern contraceptives. The logistic regression analysis results show that hearing family planning messages on the radio had significant effect on modern contraceptive use. Women who heard family planning messages on the radio were 1.4 times more likely to use modern contraceptives. The study recommended that relaying of family planning information through radio be intensified in Kenya. The study also recommended that further studies be conducted to determine why the mass media variables of television and newspapers are not significant in determining modern contraceptive use in Kenya and yet very influential in family planning uptake in other countries