Like Chocolate: Like Chocolate: Adolescent Emergency Adolescent Emergency

Contraception Use in NairobiContraception Use in Nairobi

Karen P. Fogg, M.PH.Karen P. Fogg, M.PH.11

Jill Keesbury, Ph.D.Jill Keesbury, Ph.D.22

Rob Stephenson, Ph.D.Rob Stephenson, Ph.D.11

1 Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA2 Population Council, Nairobi, Kenya

Background: Background: An “Epidemic" of EC An “Epidemic" of EC Abuse?Abuse?

Study ObjectivesStudy Objectives

Test assumptions of media reportsTest assumptions of media reports

Rapidly assess EC use in NairobiRapidly assess EC use in Nairobi

Serve as formative research for Serve as formative research for future in-depth study on EC use future in-depth study on EC use and risky sexual behaviorand risky sexual behavior

MethodologyMethodology

Survey of females 14-24 in Nairobi, Survey of females 14-24 in Nairobi, KenyaKenya

300 respondents 300 respondents – 100 secondary school100 secondary school– 100 University100 University– 100 Out-of-school100 Out-of-school

Questionnaire examined sexual Questionnaire examined sexual activity, contraceptive knowledge/use, activity, contraceptive knowledge/use, risk perceptionsrisk perceptions

FindingsFindings

Knowledge of EC is high Knowledge of EC is high among Nairobi’s among Nairobi’s adolescentsadolescents

Knowledge of EC in Survey Population and KDHS, Knowledge of EC in Survey Population and KDHS, by Percentageby Percentage

73.60%

27.50%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Surveyed adolescents(2005)

2003 KDHS (unmarriedsexually active women)

……but correct knowledge but correct knowledge is much loweris much lower

Knowledge of EC vs. Correct Knowledge of EC, Knowledge of EC vs. Correct Knowledge of EC, by percentageby percentage

n=296n=296

73.6%

42.9%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Knowledge Correct Knowledge

Most learn about EC from Most learn about EC from friends or familyfriends or family

Source of EC KnowledgeN=165

Other11%

School22%

Media16%

Friend/Family51%

Knowledge of EC does not Knowledge of EC does not imply useimply use

Knowledge of EC vs. Use of EC, by percentage

n=296

74%8.70%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Knowledge Self-reported Use

Use of EC among Nairobi Use of EC among Nairobi adolescents is higher than in the adolescents is higher than in the rest of the country, but still rest of the country, but still

relatively lowrelatively low Ever-use of EC vs. Other Modern Methods, Ever-use of EC vs. Other Modern Methods,

by percentage by percentage

8.70%

1.40%

17.30%

21.20%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

SurveyedAdolescents (2005)

2003 KDHS(Women 20-24)

EC Pill Injectables

Repeat use is lower than Repeat use is lower than implied by the mediaimplied by the media

You or Your Friends: You or Your Friends: Ever Use of EC vs. Repeat Use, by percentageEver Use of EC vs. Repeat Use, by percentage

N=165N=165

54.5%7.8%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Ever Use (you/yourfriends)

Repeat Use (you/yourfriends)

Most obtain EC from Most obtain EC from private pharmaciesprivate pharmacies

Source of ECN=165

Private Pharmacy

91%

Public Facility5%

Friend/Family, 3

ConclusionsConclusions

• Knowledge of EC is high among Knowledge of EC is high among adolescents in Nairobi, although adolescents in Nairobi, although correct and comprehensive correct and comprehensive information is lackinginformation is lacking

• There is no “epidemic” of EC abuseThere is no “epidemic” of EC abuse• Use of EC still remains low in comparison to other Use of EC still remains low in comparison to other methodsmethods• Repeat use is not widespreadRepeat use is not widespread

ContactsContacts

Jill Keesbury, Ph.D.Jill Keesbury, Ph.D.

Population Council, NairobiPopulation Council, Nairobi

PO Box 17643PO Box 17643

Nairobi 00500 KenyaNairobi 00500 Kenya

+254 20 271 3480+254 20 271 3480jkeesbury@pcnairobi.org