Contraceptive implants in Kenya: current status and future prospects.
BACKGROUND
Since introducing Norplant over 20 years ago in Kenya, demand for contraceptive implants has remained high and implant costs are dropping substantially.


METHODS
An assessment of the Kenyan experience with implants was conducted to understand level of demand, capacity to provide services and reproductive health impact of possible increased use. Interviews were conducted with 35 key Kenyan informants. By modeling increases in national implant use (at the expense of oral contraceptives), reductions in the annual number of unintended pregnancies were estimated.


RESULTS
Kenya has an unmet need for implants and the current network of trained providers appears ready to increase the volume of services. If 100,000 users of oral contraceptives switch to implants, then an estimated 26,000 unintended pregnancies can be averted over a 5-year period.


CONCLUSIONS
With increased purchases of implants by international donor agencies, Kenya can reduce reliance on short-term hormonal methods and reduce the 45% prevalence rate of unintended pregnancy.
Hubacher
David
D
Family Health International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. dhubacher@fhi.org
Kimani
Joshua
J
Steiner
Markus J
MJ
Solomon
Marsden
M
Ndugga
Maggwa Baker
MB
D003267:Contraception / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D011247:Pregnancy; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution / Q000639:trends*
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D016912:Levonorgestrel