New Survey: Contraceptive Failure Leads to 1.4 Million Unintended Pregnancies
A new survey shows more than 1.4 million Kenyan women experienced unintended pregnancies in 2022, despite being on contraceptives.
The report, ‘Unintended Pregnancy and its Impact in Kenya,’ is raising questions on the effectiveness and availability of contraceptive methods across the country, particularly in underserved regions.
In 2022 alone, there were approximately 1.44 million unintended pregnancies, with approximately 42% of these women on some form of contraceptive method at the time of conception.
Nyanza and Western regions, in particular, have been flagged for experiencing low and inconsistent contraceptive supply, making the number of unintended pregnancies highest in these two regions.
The resulting consequences of these unplanned pregnancies include costs incurred from additional health services, unplanned deliveries, and unsafe abortions, especially in areas with restricted access to comprehensive reproductive health services.
The report says experts are pushing for a multi-pronged approach to address the gaps in reproductive healthcare among Kenyan women.
The report has proposed boosting investment in reproductive health, improving the distribution and availability of contraceptive commodities, and strengthening community-based education programs on proper contraceptive use to resolve this crisis.
It also advocates for an expansion of the method mix available in local health centres to ensure women can access the type of contraception most suited to their health and lifestyle needs.
About The Author
