Vasectomy as an Integral Option for Family Planning in Kenya

November 18, 2016Kenya is taking steps to address its health workforce shortage and the gender imbalance in contraceptive availability and use. One of the most effective methods of family planning is little known, most underutilised, and remains undocumented in Kenya.Vasectomy is a highly effective, convenient method of permanent contraception for men but myths discouraging its adoption have flourished.In general, lack of information, inaccessibility of services, and a widespread desire to have more children have prevented many men in Kenya from becoming involved in family planning.Men must become more engaged in family planning, for the sake of their families ’ health and Kenya’s economy.But Kenya ’s unmet need for family planning and the changing cultural landscape over the past two decades have brought new realities.Kenya is home to over 39 million people from 42 ethnic communities.Performance, monitoring and accountability survey (PMA2014/Kenya) found that 42.7% of all women and 55.7% of married women use modern methods of contraception.The survey also found that 15.7% of all women ages 15 to 49 and 20.6% of married or in-union women had an unmet need for family planning.According to recent estimates, female sterilization is used by 2.8% of women who practice contraception, and male sterilization by fewer than 1%.These statistics show a need for family planning services in Kenya, and a specific need for increased knowledge of, access to and use of long-acting metho...
Source: IntraHealth International - Category: Global & Universal Authors: Source Type: news