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By Henry Neondo
A ground-breaking study on family planning programs has uncovered significant gaps in the modern contraception needs of women across various regions, with findings highlighting the influence of religious beliefs, conflicts, and resource constraints.
Conducted by experts at the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) under the leadership of Dr. McEwen Khundi, a Research and Policy Analyst and published in the latest edition of BMC Public Health, the study sheds light on the challenges impacting family planning coverage. It specifically focuses on the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator 3.7.1, which tracks the percentage of women aged 15–49 whose family planning needs are satisfied through modern contraception methods.
“Our research provides crucial insights for policymakers and governments to enhance their strategies and address the unmet needs for modern contraception among women,” said Dr. Khundi. “By delivering valuable evidence, this study supports countries in evaluating their progress towards meeting SDG indicator 3.7.1.”
Utilizing data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), the study analyzed coverage progress by focusing on the proportion of women with a need for contraception who are using modern methods. Modern contraceptive methods examined include pills, condoms, injectables, hormonal implants, patches, diaphragms, spermicidal agents, and emergency contraception.
Key findings reveal that counties such as Garisa, Isiolo, Mandera, Marsabit, Tana River, Samburu, Turkana, and Wajir, which frequently face drought, exhibit low modern contraceptive coverage. The researchers attribute this to the prioritization of survival over health services in resource-constrained environments. The situation is further exacerbated by inter-communal conflicts driven by competition for scarce resources.
“To improve modern contraception use in these regions, a comprehensive approach addressing the combined challenges of conflict and climate change is essential,” the study advocates.
The research, which also included data from Nigeria and Ethiopia, highlights similar patterns in conflict-affected areas. For instance, northern Nigeria, plagued by Boko Haram violence since 2009, and regions in Ethiopia experiencing prolonged conflict and drought, such as Tigray, Amhara, Afar, and Oromia, display low coverage of modern contraception methods.
The study identifies misconceptions about modern contraception as a significant barrier. In northern Nigeria, misconceptions such as fears of infertility or cancer associated with contraception are prevalent among Muslim populations, leading to lower usage rates.
Conversely, in Ethiopia, educational status had varying impacts on modern contraception use, with women’s educational levels influencing coverage differently compared to Kenya and Nigeria.
“This analysis underscores the need for targeted interventions that consider the unique contexts of each region,” added Dr. Khundi.
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Find the article here: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-024-19387-9