Abstract:
Utilization of contraceptives is still a major problem in the Sub -Saharan Africa. The government of Kenya has put various strategies and policies to facilitate use of contraceptives. Despite these policy measures total fertility rate still remains high at 3.9 births per woman (KDHS, 2014). The main objective of this study was to determine the utilization of contraceptives among women of reproductive age (15-49) years attending Ngong sub – county hospital in Kajiado County Kenya. The specific objectives were to determine proportion, to determine contraceptive preference and to establish factors associated with contraceptive utilization. The study adopted a descriptive cross- sectional method study design which was hospital based. The study population was women aged between (15-49) years attending maternal child health, and outpatient clinics at Ngong sub-county hospital that gave consent. Data was collected mainly using structured questionnaire and two focus group discussions. The questionnaire was administered to a sample of 380 women. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Data was presented in frequencies, percentages and pie-charts. Odds ratio (OR) at (95%) confidence interval (CI) was done for association between the various variables and utilization of contraceptive. Chi-square test statistic was also done at significance level of (P ≤ 0.05). Qualitative data was analyzed and presented in verbatim form. Confidentiality of the respondents was assured and maintained throughout the study. The study showed that (80%) of the respondents were using contraceptives and the remaining (20%) were not on any method. There was evidence that education and age greatly influences utilization of contraceptive. A greater proportion (61%) of those on contraceptive used Depo-Provera injection. For the success of family planning programs, male involvement was seen to be critical as they play an important role in the decision making process and use of contraceptives. There is need to encourage and facilitate the community based health workers to make deliberate efforts to reach out to the (20%) women not using contraceptives. Kajiado County health officials should scale up training and counselling for more health care providers to be trained on more effective and less expensive contraceptive methods such as Norplant and IUCD.
