Abstract:
Utilization of contraceptives is still a major problem in the Sub -Saharan Africa. The
government of Kenya has put various strategies and policies to facilitate use of
contraceptives. Despite these policy measures total fertility rate still remains high at 3.9
births per woman (KDHS, 2014). The main objective of this study was to determine the
utilization of contraceptives among women of reproductive age (15-49) years attending
Ngong sub – county hospital in Kajiado County Kenya. The specific objectives were to
determine proportion, to determine contraceptive preference and to establish factors
associated with contraceptive utilization. The study adopted a descriptive cross sectional method study design which was hospital based. The study population was
women aged between (15-49) years attending maternal child health, and outpatient
clinics at Ngong sub-county hospital that gave consent. Data was collected mainly using
structured questionnaire and two focus group discussions. The questionnaire was
administered to a sample of 380 women. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS
version 23. Data was presented in frequencies, percentages and pie-charts. Odds ratio
(OR) at (95%) confidence interval (CI) was done for association between the various
variables and utilization of contraceptive. Chi-square test statistic was also done at
significance level of (P ≤ 0.05). Qualitative data was analyzed and presented in verbatim
form. Confidentiality of the respondents was assured and maintained throughout the
study. The study showed that (80%) of the respondents were using contraceptives and
the remaining (20%) were not on any method. There was evidence that education and
age greatly influences utilization of contraceptive. A greater proportion (61%) of those
on contraceptive used Depo-Provera injection. For the success of family planning
programs, male involvement was seen to be critical as they play an important role in the
decision making process and use of contraceptives. There is need to encourage and
facilitate the community based health workers to make deliberate efforts to reach out to
the (20%) women not using contraceptives. Kajiado County health officials should scale
up training and counselling for more health care providers to be trained on more
effective and less expensive contraceptive methods such as Norplant and IUCD
