Spatial Analysis of Modern Contraceptive Use Amongst Women of Child-bearing Age in Kenya

Abstract

Background: Modern contraception is the use of a medical device or medical procedure to prevent pregnancy. In order to achieve the set Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), there is need to control population growth. This can be achieved by advocating for use of modern contraceptives, which are effective in achieving family planning. This study aimed to evaluate spatial variation of modern contraceptive use, as well as determine significant factors associated with modern contraceptive use. Methods: We used data from Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022 to evaluate factors associated with modern contraceptive use. Four models, which used the Bayesian approach to estimate model parameters, were fitted in WinBUGS software. These models were compared and used to deduce significant factors associated with modern contraceptive use. Results: There was spatial variation of modern contraceptive use across the 47 counties of Kenya. North Eastern counties displayed low prevalence (<10%) of modern contraceptive use, while majority of the counties in the Central region displayed high prevalence (>50%) for modern contraceptive use. There were 3%-reduced odds of using modern contraceptives for every year increase in age. Islam had a 53% reduced odds for modern contraceptive use. Living with partner had the highest odds of utility for modern contraceptives (OR: 5.71; CI: 6.44-5.07). The odds of modern contraceptive use ranged from 1.32-1.47 across all levels of wealth index. Higher education recorded the highest odds (OR: 3.49; CI: 2.96-4.10) of modern contraceptive use compared to no education. Conclusions: Given the regional disparities in modern contraceptive use, family planning programs that are county-specific need to be designed. Individual socio-economic and demographic factors played an important role in modern contraceptive use in Kenya. With devolution of health, the findings from this study can be used to inform policy makers at both the national and county level. Additionally, the national government can use this study to allocate resources to counties. Likewise, counties can use this study to budget for health and in particular reproductive health.