Factors Influencing Performance of Family Planning Projects Funded by Usaid: a Case of Aphia Plus Kamili in Kirinyaga County Kenya

Abstract

This research sought to examine factors influencing performance of family planning projects funded by USAID and to establish an understanding and knowledge on the factors that enhance family planning project performance. The objectives of the study were to determine how contraceptive security influence the performance of family planning projects in Kirinyaga County, to examine how staff competence influence the performance of family planning projects in Kirinyaga County, to find out how accessibility influence the performance of family planning projects in Kirinyaga County, and to establish how affordability influences the performance of family planning projects in Kirinyaga County. To realize the objectives, a descriptive survey design was adopted. The target population was constituted WRA registered as FP clients in GOK health facilities. The research study adopted the cluster sampling method. A sample size of 381 WRA and 12 service providers has been identified through cluster sampling. This study used both the questionnaire and an interview guide for data collection, the questionnaires were used among the women of reproductive age seeking family planning services and the interview guides were for the service providers. The data was analyzed using Frequencies, percentages and presented in tables. The study established that provision of contraceptive security presented FP users with a wide range of FP methods from which they could to choose from, it also granted FP users the autonomy to choose high-quality contraceptives and condoms for family planning, staff competence was key in promoting performance of family planning projects, the cost of family planning service is an important determinant on family planning uptake, ensuring accessibility of FP programs especially at very local level promoted the performance of family planning projects. The study concluded that ensuring contraceptive security, accessibility, staff competence and affordability all promoted the performance of family planning projects in Kirinyaga County. The study therefore discovered that it was important to ensure uninterrupted supply of a variety of contraceptives so that clients can choose and use their preferred method without interruption as this was associated with positive performance of family planning programs. The County government should come up with a more decentralized approach in health service provision, this will help to wave other miscellaneous cost incurred in seeking of seek FP services such as transport cost. Higher incentives can be given to people willing to go seek FP services from the nearby health centers. Community based distributors in Kirinyaga County should be revived and enhanced, promotion of family planning education and activities at the household level should be accorded priority. There is also need for formation of lobby groups to enhance cultural change, awareness creation and counseling. The county government should come up with staff development programs especially to health care providers; this should be done in view of enhancing competence among the health care providers, it is also important for the county government to recognize the role of community health workers and volunteers in effort of lobbying for family planning uptake. The county government programs must find a way to ensure that services remain available to those who cannot pay there is need for greater recognition of Health assistants (HA) at the local community; Health assistants should be thoroughly trained on primary health care services such as advocacy on family planning uptake