Large Gaps in Knowledge of Family Planning Services INSIDE Theme: Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2003 Kenya’s Population Policies Evolution of Kenya’s Population Policies News from Partners Tips for working with the Media President Kibaki stars in TV commercial The lack of basic medical equipment is visible here. The KSPA revealed that health workers inappropriately cited contraindications and suggested uneccessary medical examinations before prescribing contraceptives ICPD 10th Annivesary n in-depth analysis of the Kenya Service health sector reform, the study was conducted by the Countdown 2015 Provision Assesment (KSPA) in 1999 Ministry of Health and the NCPD, Ministry of Planning A revealed that health workers inappropriately and National Development, with funding from USAID. District Briefs cited contraindications and suggested medical The KSPA was conceptualized to monitor and evaluate News from DPOs examinations and tests that were not necessary the supply side of service provision that cannot be before prescribing contraceptives. Half the providers captured using the Kenya Demographic Health Survey Children rights incorrectly identified medical diseases and 36 percent (KDHS). The objective of the assessment is to identify Search for Love incorrectly identified breast conditions as reasons they the strengths and weaknesses of health care and would not prescribe the pill. Most providers were provide appropriate recommendations. RH Perspectives inclined to do a test or exam that was not required Plans are underway to conduct the 2004 KSPA to Re-introducing IUCD before prescribing the pill. More than half cited supplement the findings of the KDHS 2003 survey. unnecessary pelvic exams. The study is expected to provide baseline indicators News Briefs “Lack of adequate knowledge on contraindications for evaluating and monitoring the attainment of the and which exams and tests are necessary may Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Gender Mainstreaming activities represent a barrier to contraceptive access,” said Dr. Economic Recovery Strategy goals. The study will also Richard Muga, Director of the National Council for provide baseline indicators for the proposed sector Upcoming Events Population and Development (NCPD). “We need to wide Health Sector Strategic Plan (2005-2010) and Conferences and Training ensure that women are not being excluded from other projects initiated in 2004 and 2005. receiving the family planning method of their choice Other key findings include family planning training Recent Research because of a medical condition that is perceived as a and knowledge, antenatal care services, quality of Results contraindication or because she cannot afford an care, and client satisfaction. inappropriate examination or test.” Male Pill on the Way? Family Planning Training The findings were part of a larger study that Seventy eight percent of family planning service examined factors that affect the use of reproductive providers received family planning as part of their health care services in Kenya. Designed to help guide 1 Cont’d on Pg. 8 Director's Statement elcome to the inaugural issue of Kenpop News, the population newsletter. As population issues are central to the development agenda, we expect this newsletter to serve as a market place for the exchange of information between Wand among stakeholders in population and development. The launch of Kenpop News supports the utilisation of NCPD’s goal of strengthening the voice of stakeholders in seeking support for population programmes. Through Kenpop News, NCPD provides programme implementers, researchers, policy makers, development partners and ordinary Kenyans a platform through which they can address the common challenges that affect Kenya’s general welfare and development. The newsletter aims to strengthen co-ordination, implementation and support a broad range of population activities. In addition, Dr. Richard Muga, Director NCPD it will serve to prioritise and address continuing and emerging issues highlighted by all players across sectors. NCPD appreciates and recognizes all friends and partners who continue to support this initiative. We look forward to a strengthened partnership and continued collaboration. I trust that together, we will achieve our objectives of providing the needed information and quality services to enable Kenyans to live healthy and productive lives. YÜÉÅ the Editorial Suite As we mark the 10th anniversary of the ICPD conference, Kenya has made notable progress in its population policies and in addressing problems. Kenpop News has captured these Xw|àÉÜ|tÄ Committee and other views and perspectives from the key stakeholders and also presents views from the grassroots through the eyes Dr. Richard Muga - Director NCPD Chair of the District Population Officers. Human interest angles G.A Kichamu, Head IEC, NCPD Exec. Editor presented by partners add spice and a lighthearted element Emily Nwankwo - APAC Editor to otherwise serious matters. Michael Mbaya - NCPD The KDHS 2003 Highlights form the theme for this first edition. We invite you to enjoy the content as you become Godferey Kariithi - KIMC informed and request your feedback so that we make Kenpop Prof. Emmanuel Wango - IPR News your population magazine that addresses the questions Josiah Mwangi Editorial Intern and concerns, and burning issues wherever you are. David Kinyua - IEC/NCPD Secretary We welcome your feedback through [email protected] Editors The NCPD appreciates input from members of the IEC/editorial taskforce in the development of this newsletter. They include: Dr. Lynuss Etyang (FPAK); Judith Karogo (APAC); Martha Warratho (Marie Stopes); Florence Kimata (CAFS); Nester Theuri (FPPS); and Joyce Mwaura (KIMC) The NCPD and MoH work closely with various donors in support of the Population and Health Sector. These include; USAID, DFID, WHO, UNFPA, UNDP, World Bank, CIDA, EU, GTZ, KFW, DANIDA , PRB and JICA Design and Production: Apex Communications Ltd. P.O. Box 12313 - 00400 Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: 254 2 2716890 Fax: 254 2 2719478 Email: [email protected] 2 population Policies Kenya’s Population Policies decline in population growth rate; increase in life expectancy; increase in contraceptive prevalence; a decline in the ideal family size among married women; and the establishment and implementation of the District Population and Development Programme. Challenges Throughout the implementation of the population policies, there has been very limited involvement of men in the family planning programme. Other challenges include limited The development of population policies in Kenya encouraged the creation of communication and advocacy funding, duplication of roles by programmes on population and capacity building of health workers to promote the programmes NGOs, inconsistent commitment to family planning by opinion he first population policy in Kenya subsequent population policies are leaders despite political goodwill, and Twas the implicit policy that began in advanced generics of the policy and regional disparities in fertility and the early fifties under the auspices of the they are implemented through a multi- mortality levels and family planning Family Planning Association of Kenya sectoral and multi-dimensional trends as highlighted by the 2003 KDHS. (FPAK). FPAK provided family planning approach through collaboration with Other notable challenges include the services to Europeans, Asians, and a few NGOs, the private sector, donor high level of adolescent fertility, high “informed” black Kenyans. FPAK remains partners, and communities. prevalence of sexually transmitted the largest NGO in the population field diseases including HIV/AIDS, Implementation and Effectiveness of in Kenya to date. diversification of the economy to Kenya’s Population Policies Since independence, Kenya has had accommodate an increasing labour Between 1967 and 1979, Kenya three explicit population policies: the force, and the concern on quality of witnessed a dramatic increase in fertility National Family Planning Programme of reproductive health services including and reduction in infant and child 1967; the Population Policy Guidelines of family planning. mortality. From 1980 to 1989 the country 1984; and the National Population Policy witnessed signs of fertility decline, with Lessons learnt for Sustainable Development (NPPSD) of further decline documented from 1990 Implementation of the population 2000. to 1998. programme has taught policy makers A close examination of the nature, Until the provisional findings of the several things. Policy makers learnt that scope and features of these policies 2003 Kenya Demographics and Health population is more than a medical reveals that they follow the following Survey (KDHS) highlighted that some of concern as had been perceived during sequence of events: The pre-Bucharest the survey indicators, such as fertility and the 1967 to 1980 period and it demands World Population Conference of 1974; mortality, were reversing, Kenya had a multidimensional integrated approach the Mexico Population Conference of already entered a demographic through involvement of the public, 1984; and The Post-International transition. The fertility transition can be commitment of resources, and political Population Conference for Population traced as far back as 1982. The goodwill and commitment to support and Development (ICPD) Cairo demographic transition at this phase the programme. A population policy conference of 1994. (1982) can be attributed to good should