Embrace contraception to reduce mortalities – experts to Homa Bay residents

Homa Bay government has intensified sensitization to increase the uptake of different family planning methods which is considerably low among the targeted population.

Statistics from the county health department indicate that only 23 per cent of the targeted population has embraced various contraceptive methods.

Even though there has been an improvement in uptake from 14 per cent to 23 per cent over the past six months, the health department says there is a need for residents to fully embrace family planning programmes.     

Health director in charge of policy and planning Collins Ondeng, 360 programme coordinator at Population Services- Kenya Wanjiku Gattoni King’ori, and Kisumu Medical &Education Trust (KMET) representative in Homa Bay Enoch Oloo said embracing family planning helps in lowering infant and maternal mortalities.

Ondeng' argued that the county still has a challenge in the uptake of family planning due to some negative cultural practices.

“We’re asking residents to embrace the use of contraceptives as a way of family planning. Health promoters are on the ground to sell the agenda so that we get ways of addressing both infant and maternal mortalities,” Ondeng said.

Some methods of contraception include oral contraceptive pills, implants, injectables, patches, vaginal rings, intrauterine devices, condoms, male and female sterilization, lactation amenorrhea methods, withdrawal, and fertility awareness-based methods.

Speaking on Tuesday when they marked World Contraception Day at Adiedo trading centre in Karachuonyo constituency, Ondeng urged residents to ignore the myths surrounding family planning programmes.

He argued that such myths have contributed to the low uptake.

 According to statistics from the health department, maternal mortality in Homa Bay was at 583 per 100,000 live births in 2014.

The rate has been reduced to 516 per 100,000 live births based on the 2022 Kenya Demographic Health Survey.

Ondeng' said some cases of deaths at delivery are attributed to failure to embrace family planning.

He said when women plan on when to give birth, they can easily avoid developing complications in the delivery room.

This happens when parents cannot support their families after birth

 "Most complications occur due to failure to plan when to give birth. Some women get pregnant without making necessary arrangements on how they will help themselves during and after birth,” Ondeng said.

This year’s theme is “the power of options” where anyone can choose from a variety of options offered for family planning.

Besides complications at birth, Ondeng' said failure to embrace family planning leads to poverty. The county government in collaboration with other partners is working closely to increase awareness of various family planning methods.

Wanjiku said the 360 programme is implemented at various health facilities and targets women of reproductive age.

 The programme, among other benefits, is meant to encourage more people to use family planning.

 “We have realised most men do not embrace family planning over varied reasons including culture. These are the issues we want to address to increase uptake,” Wanjiku said.

Currently, a number of health facilities are offering family planning options to whoever is seeking the service.

Oloo said they have been providing services that help mothers to avoid bleeding during delivery.

“Failure to embrace family planning leads to unwanted pregnancies which sometimes leads to increased poverty,” Oloo said.