Abstract:
The Kenya government in collaboration with other stakeholders (including donors, NGOs, CBOs and private sector health providers amongst others) involved in family planning services have over the years continued to initiate various programmatic responses towards uptake of family planning services. These initiatives have been aimed at increasing contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR), reduction in both total fertility rate (TFR) and unmet need for family planning services. In this article, an attempt was made to review the existing policies and strategies that have been mooted over time and how they have impacted on TFR, CPR and unmet needs. Despite the initiative, surmount evidence has been deduced showing that TFR and unmet need still remains high while CPR is estimated to very low. This clearly shows that there could be certain responses that may have not been considered in enhancing the concerted efforts in the country. In this regard, various suggestions have been proposed to enhance utilization of family planning services as a bold step towards the reduction of both TFR and unmet need, while at the same time increase CPR. Among the suggestions include political and leadership commitment in the provision of sustainable resources in addressing family planning services; initiate tailor made initiatives in promoting family planning education and activities at all levels including household, community and levels. Other recommendations include enhancement of the activities of community based distributors and community health workers, as well facilitation in the formation of lobby groups to enhance attitude and cultural change, awareness creation and counselling, and development and dissemination of IEC materials need to be accorded priority.
