Survey of attitude of Kenya Medical doctors on family

Abstract

This was part of a survey conducted between November 1989 and March 1990 to determine the knowledge, attitude, practice, and provision of family planning (FP) by a sample of Kenyan medical doctors. This part of the survey reports on the attitude as assessed through several attitudinal variables. Medical doctors had an average-to-high (60-98%) positive attitude about the relationship between population/economic growth and the need for FP, the effectiveness of the FP campaign in Kenya, and the ideal family size being 0-4 children. However, the proportion of doctors who considered the ideal family size to be 0-2 children dropped to a mere 23%. In light of the 1993 Kenyan total fertility rate of 5.4, an ideal family size of 0-4 children would be a worthwhile ambition for Kenyans, the majority of whom are of low socioeconomic status. Important covariates were future fertility intentions (desire for children), doctors' place of work, and religion. It is very important that the FP campaign continue to promote small families in Kenya.