Social Demographic Factors Affecting the Uptake of Modern Contraceptives Methods Among Female Adolescents After the First Birth in Kitui County, Kenya

Abstract

Globally, adolescents make up 16% of the total population, and 55% of unwanted pregnancies among adolescent’s end in abortion. Africa has the highest number of adolescents (23%). Adolescents in Kenya experience a higher risk of unintended pregnancies than older women, but contraceptive use among them remains very low. Despite various efforts by Kenya's national and county governments and non-governmental organizations to promote abstinence among adolescents, these efforts have not been successful. In light of this, this study sought to assess the prevalence of modern contraceptives and the social demographic factors affecting the uptake of modern contraceptive methods among female adolescents after the first birth in Kitui County, Kenya. The study was conducted in Kitui County and employed a cross-sectional descriptive survey design targeting adolescent girls between 10 and 19 years who had given birth in the last six months. The results showed that the usage of modern contraceptives was generally low (35.2%). However, based on the factors influencing uptake, it was higher among respondents aged 19 years (57.4%) and those with college education (50.0%). Adolescents with a college education were 3.55 times more likely to use modern contraception (AOR=3.55; p=.000) than those with primary school qualifications. The results revealed that age, education, and marital status were determinants of modern contraceptive use among adolescents. The study advocates for increasing the use of modern contraceptives among female adolescents in Kitui County, recognizing that this is a multi-faceted problem that will require concerted efforts by all key stakeholders to provide a wide range of interventions. Such stakeholders include the community, parents, guardians, peers, school teachers and tutors, religious leaders, healthcare practitioners, and policymakers. Keywords: Social Demographic Factors, Modern Contraceptives Methods, Female Adolescents, First Birth, Kitui County