Unintended pregnancies are a significant health concern in Kenya, contributing to preventable maternal deaths. To address this challenge and empower women, Kenya received a shipment of 450,000 doses of Subcutaneous Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA-SC).
DMPA-SC are user-friendly injectable contraceptives that offer an advantage to women who can administer them themselves, expanding access beyond traditional healthcare settings.
This initiative, funded by the UK government, aims to benefit over 400,000 women of reproductive age in Kenya.
Experts estimate it could prevent a staggering 42,750 unintended pregnancies and save the lives of 122 mothers.
“The integration of DMPA-SC self-injection into Kenya’s reproductive health landscape is part of broader reproductive health self-care initiatives aimed at improving service delivery,” Ag. Director General of Health Dr. Patrick Amoth said.
While Kenya has made significant progress in promoting family planning, with modern contraceptive use rising from 53% in 2014 to 57% in 2022, there’s still a gap. Approximately 14% of women have an unmet need for family planning, often due to financial constraints or uncertainty about contraceptive availability.
“Among currently married women, the most commonly used methods are injectables (20%), implants (19%), and contraceptive pills (8%). Among sexually active unmarried women, male condoms are the most commonly used contraceptive method (20%), followed by injectables (16%) and implants (11%),” data from the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey shows.
“The percentage of currently married women using a modern method is lowest in Mandera (2%), followed by Wajir (3%), Marsabit (6%), and Garissa (11%) with Embu (82%) recording the highest.”
In addition, the report emphasises that “If all women who said they want to space or limit their children were to use family planning methods, the contraceptive prevalence rate would increase from 62% to 76% among currently married women and from 70% to 89% among sexually active unmarried women.”
As a result, by offering a convenient, self-administered option, the program removes some of the barriers that might have previously prevented women from accessing family planning services. This initiative aligns with a global trend towards self-care in reproductive health, putting the power of choice directly in the hands of women.
Deputy Development Director at the British High Commission, Eduarda Mendonca-Gray said: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights is a key priority for the UK. The evidence confirms that access to and availability of family planning commodities reduces poverty, enhances prosperity and provides dignity for women.:
“Since 2010 we have been supporting family planning efforts in Kenya and we remain committed to working collaboratively.”
Additionally, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Kenya’s Ministry of Health are working together to ensure these contraceptives reach women nationwide.
On October 9, 2018, Kenya’s Ministry of Health changed its family planning guidelines allowing Pharmacists and pharmaceutical to administer injectable contraceptives (DMPA-IM and DMPA-SC).
The ministry’s policy shift aimed to offer women and young people a more convenient option for accessing contraception, especially if they were hesitant to visit health facilities. Secondly, to leverage the private sector and help alleviate any potential shortages of contraceptive supplies.
