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. 2018 Jun:16:124-131.
doi: 10.1016/j.srhc.2018.03.002. Epub 2018 Mar 15.

Motherhood increases support for family planning among Kenyan adolescents

Julia Velonjara  1 , Bonnie Crouthamel  2 , Gabrielle O'Malley  3 , Mona Wiggins  4 , Daniel Matemo  5 , Grace John-Stewart  6 , Jennifer A Unger  7 , John Kinuthia  8 , Alison L Drake  9
Affiliations

Motherhood increases support for family planning among Kenyan adolescents

Julia Velonjara et al. Sex Reprod Healthc. 2018 Jun.

Abstract

Objective: Adolescent fertility rates are high in Kenya, and increase the risks of unintended repeat pregnancies and maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Our objective was to examine knowledge, practices, and influences surrounding contraceptive access and use among Kenyan postpartum adolescents.

Study design: We conducted a mixed methods study (surveys and focus group discussions) with postpartum adolescents and family planning (FP) providers at two maternal and child health clinics in Kenya.

Main outcome measures: Four focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with postpartum adolescents (stratified by age and site), and two FGDs were conducted with FP providers (stratified by site). Transcripts were analyzed for prevalent themes. The participants also completed individual surveys that were analyzed for contraceptive knowledge.

Results: Adolescent contraceptive decision-making and use were shaped by social norms of adolescent sexual behaviour. Lack of FP knowledge, community misinformation, and insufficient counselling and time with providers all contributed to adolescent concerns about FP. However, as adolescents transitioned to motherhood, they felt more encouraged to use FP and had increased awareness of FP benefits.

Conclusion: Both postpartum adolescents and providers felt delivery of FP services could be improved if providers had better training and counselling tools.

Keywords: Adolescent; Contraception; Family planning; Kenya; Postpartum.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Model of influences on postpartum adolescent family planning (FP) method access and choice.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Knowledge of FP methods and pregnancy prevention, by method and overall. Proportions of correct contraceptive knowledge responses to survey questions: poor (≤55%), fair(>55-70%), good (>70-85%), and excellent (>85%) by each contraceptive method, and overall. a) Number of adolescent survey questions for each category: condoms 9, OCPs 10, IUDs 15,injectables 8, implants 9, pregnancy prevention 8. b) Number of provider survey questions for each category: condoms 7, OCPs 10, IUDs 16, injectables 10, implants 7, pregnancy prevention 3.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Adolescent familiarity and experience with contraceptive methods.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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