Kenya urged to increase contraceptive supplies

The World Health Organisation wants more contraceptives made available to Kenyan women who need them.

The United Nations agency said because of increased demand and overburdened health systems, sub-Saharan Africa countries in particular had turned to injectable contraception.

WHO made the appeal ahead of the third annual World Contraception Day to be marked on Saturday.

Experts say there is enough evidence to support expansion of community-based health workers providing injectable contraceptives, especially Depo Provera or Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate.

Sex education

The experts found this to be safe, effective and acceptable.

Dr Bartilol Kigen, head of reproductive health in the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation said the need for contraception in Kenya stood at 25 per cent largely due to myths, misconceptions, unavailability and cost.

In response to the rising number of teenage pregnancies, estimated at 23 per cent, and resultant dropout rates in schools, the Ministry of Education has introduced sex education in secondary schools.

This move has been opposed by religious organisations who argue that this amounts to introducing immorality among youth.

“Let us insist on safe sex through use of contraceptives. Let’s face the facts and not the myths,” Dr Kigen said.

The director of public health, Dr Shannaz Sharif, said the content of the sex education curriculum was so toned down that the message was not getting through to the youth, who are increasingly having sex at a tender age.

“We are refusing to recognise that the youth engage in sexual activities as early as 17. What is lacking is that we are not telling them that there is an option of safe sex,” Dr Sharif said.

Recent statistics show that more than 300,000 women procure abortions every year, a sign that unsafe sex poses a major threat to women and girls.