Family planning in the Republic of Kenya
Leparskiĭ Ea
1974
Citations
0
Citations
Journal
Pediatrii︠a︡
Semantic Scholar
Key Takeaway Key Takeaway: Kenya's family planning efforts have been hindered by illiteracy, lack of contraceptives, and a lack of medical personnel, despite official policy recognition in 1967.
Abstract
Among the countries of Africa Kenya stands out in regard to its family planning measures as they were started as early as 1952 and were supported with financial and technical aid from Western countries. Howe ver the majority of Kenyans are still unacquainted with contraceptives and are opposed to the idea of population control. 80% of women who do start the use of contraceptives stop this use after 2 years. The high percentage of illiteracy (85%) among the population is an important factor in these attitudes. Although the Kenyan government recognized population control as official policy in 1967 the campaign has been retarded by insufficient funding a shortage and uneven geographical distribution of medical establishments and an acute shortage of medical personnel particularly native Kenyan personnel. Without a comprehensive program to increase the standard of living the number of medical establishments maternity and child care facilities and the number of qualified medical personnel the success of this program is impossible.