Modern Contraceptives Conversations Among Sexually Active Youth in Kianda Ward, Kibra Nairobi

Abstract

The study sought to investigate how sexually active youth in Kibera’s, Kianda Ward communicate among themselves regarding adoption and use of modern contraceptives. The objectives of the study were to analyze modern contraceptive conversations among sexually active youth in Kibera’s Kianda Ward; to analyze sources of information on modern contraceptives among sexually active youth; to examine the key messages contained in conversations among sexually active youth regarding adoption and use of modern contraceptives; to investigate factors that hinder adoption and adherence to modern contraceptives use among sexually active youth. The study deployed the Theory of Social Constructivism which is instrumental in gaining deep insights on how relationships and social interactions inform day to day decisions and behaviour. Understanding how social interactions impact decision making can also guide development, testing and contraceptive interventions which operationalizing on angles such as conversations among sexually active youth. The Theories adaptability and comprehensiveness and its’ social leaning support its use in health communication in that Modern contraceptives services providers can use it to grasp sexually active youth clients’ modern contraception needs through enhancing conversations on modern contraceptives. The study applied descriptive research design and qualitative research approach that are effective for purposes of acquiring of in-depth knowledge of a subject using a small sample. The target population for the study were 100 sexually active youth who sought modern contraceptive services at Ushirika Health Centre, in Kianda area, Kibra Constituency of Nairobi County, between January and April 2020. The sampling frame was the listing of all the youth who sought the services within the period as contained in the facility’s register. Data was collected from two Focus Group Discussions of ten youth each and interviews with 10 youth all sampled through convenience sampling. Key informant interviews were conducted with four health centre staff selected through purposive sampling. Document analysis was used to study key documents at the health centre. Thematic analysis was done based on the objectives while data is presented using descriptions and narrative format. The study established that a majority of sexually active youth do not always have conversations on modern contraceptives with their partners, for those who do, the conversations usually comes after an unplanned pregnancy has already happened or they have had an experience of unplanned pregnancy from previous relationship(s). The study also established that sexually active youth are fairly knowledgeable on modern contraception, however, this knowledge does not always translate to adoption and adherence to the commodities use. The study also revealed that most barriers to modern contraceptive use are as a result of myths and misconceptions they get from the community regarding the contraceptives. The study recommends establishment of youth friendly centres to enable the youth to comfortably seek contraceptive services. The study also recommends tapping on social media to constantly pass information on modern contraceptives to encourage sexually active youth normalize talks on modern contraceptives which will in turn encourage adoption and use contraceptive education also needs to be incorporated in reproductive health education preferably before onset of puberty so that the youth can make informed decisions regarding adoption and use.