TITLE:
Determination of Level of Knowledge on Modern Methods of Family Planning among Women of Reproductive Age (18 - 49 Years) at Mathare North Health Center in Nairobi County, Kenya
AUTHORS:
Patrick Marangu M’rinkanya, Catherine Mutunga-Mwenda, Jane Karonjo
KEYWORDS:
Antenatal Care, Postnatal Care, Contraceptives, Family Planning, Fertility, Modern Family Planning Methods, i.e. Injectables, Implants, Pills, Intrauterine Cervical Device
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Nursing,
Vol.11 No.5,
May
31,
2021
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Modern family planning methods (MFPM) prevent unwanted pregnancies, reduce fertility rate, and increase the interval between pregnancies. They prevent pregnancy by preventing fertilization or implantation of the fertilized ovum. MFPM include tubal ligation (TL), vasectomy, oral contraceptive pills, the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD), depot injections, sub-dermal implants, and male and female condoms. Objective: To determine the level of knowledge of modern family planning methods (MFPM) among women of reproductive age (18 - 49 years) at the Mathari North Health Center in Nairobi County, Kenya. Methods: The study conducted among women of reproductive age at Mathare North Health Center in Nairobi was a cross-sectional descriptive survey between March 2016 and November 2018. It provided both qualitative and quantitative data. The sample size comprised of 274 women of reproductive age, i.e. (18 - 49 years) attending antenatal and postnatal clinics at the facility. Those excluded were women below 18 years of age, as they could not give consent according to Kenyan Laws. The data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire, which consisted of socio-demographic and characteristics, knowledge of modern family planning methods and distance from the facility. Likert scale was used to ensure that data was tabulated on daily basis and subjected to statistical manipulation using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: The four leading MFPM in use in order of acceptability were injectables, implants, intrauterine contraceptive device and pills in that order. 91% of respondents were aware or had heard about modern family planning methods. Level of education of mother and father were the two variables that influenced the uptake of MFPM with p-values of 0.0260 and 0.025, respectively. The study further found that knowledge of MFPM had a significant influence on their assimilation and utilization. All secondary variables considered in the research exhibit a substantial relationship concerning the use of MFPM. Conclusion: Communities around Mathari North Health Center need to be given information; education and counselling on MFPM to enable them make an informed decision and choice on their preferred method of family planning.