In Kenya, family planning injections are the primary method of contraception for the majority of women.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics 2021 Economy Survey, a total of 595,703 new clients and 1.8 million re-visits were registered in 2021.
Injectables are a form of hormonal birth control to prevent unplanned pregnancies.
One should however note that the efficiency of each method depends on how well the instructions are followed and also how timely the use of each method is.
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An example is Depo-Provera or better known as Depo. This birth control releases progestin into your body.
First, Depo prevents ovulation meaning there will be no egg to be fertilized. Secondly, it thickens cervical mucus making it harder for the sperm to swim.
It also thins the uterine wall preventing implantation from taking place. Using Depo means that one will have four injections every year, the injection keeps you from getting pregnant only for three months.
Although using Depo is the safest, a woman who is looking to conceive may take up to 10 months to do so, therefore, it is advisable for one to look for a short-term form of birth control.
Mood changes, headache, acne, and loss of hair are the side effects of depo. You may also experience irregular bleeding or periods may disappear completely and gain some weight.
Promotion of family planning and ensuring access to preferred contraceptive methods for women and couples is essential to securing the well-being and autonomy of women while supporting the health and development of communities.
The truth is that no woman wants to become a mother, and not every man is prepared to become a father. People can make educated decisions about their sexual and reproductive health thanks to family planning.
A woman’s capacity to decide whether and when to get pregnant directly affects her health and well-being.
Family planning enables spacing between pregnancies and can postpone pregnancies in young women who are more likely to experience health issues or die from early childbearing.
It stops unplanned pregnancies, notably those involving older women who have higher pregnancy risks.
By reducing rates of unintended pregnancies, family planning also reduces the need for unsafe abortion.
Family planning gives women the chance to further their education and engage in society, including the workforce.
Smaller families enable parents to devote more time and money to each child. Compared to kids with plenty of siblings, those with fewer siblings stay in school longer.
According to the KNBS survey, implant insertion has the second highest number of new clients at 576,795 while pills combined with oral contraceptives have the highest number of re-visits at 475,300.
