Jefferson Mwaisaka 1 2, Lianne Gonsalves 3 4 5, Mary Thiongo 6, Michael Waithaka 6, Hellen Sidha 7, Alfred Agwanda 8, Carol Mukiira 9, Peter Gichangi 6 10 11
Affiliations
- 1International Centre for Reproductive Health, Mombasa, Kenya. jeffmwaisaka@gmail.com.
- 2College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana. jeffmwaisaka@gmail.com.
- 3Department of Reproductive Health and Research including UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
- 4Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland.
- 5University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- 6International Centre for Reproductive Health, Mombasa, Kenya.
- 7National Council for Populations and Development, Nairobi, Kenya.
- 8University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
- 9African Institute for Development Policy, Nairobi, Kenya.
- 10Technical University of Mombasa, Mombasa, Kenya.
- 11Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
PMID: 33176738 PMCID: PMC7661170
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09849-1
Abstract
Background: Myths and misconceptions around modern contraceptives have been associated with low contraceptive uptake in sub-Saharan Africa and Kenya in particular. Addressing persistent contraceptive knowledge gaps can make a significant contribution towards improved contraceptive uptake among young women. This qualitative study therefore sought to explore and understand young people’s knowledge of modern contraception and to identify their key concerns regarding these methods.
Methods: We used focus group discussions (FGD) with vignette and writing activities to explore key myths and misconceptions around the use of contraceptives. Six FGDs (three for young men and three for young women) were conducted with a total of 28 young women and 30 young men from Kwale County, Kenya. We included 10 discussants aged 18-24 per FGD, one FGD had 8 participants. Predefined codes reflecting the discussion guides and emerging issues in the FGDs were used to develop the thematic coding framework. Our analysis followed a pattern of association on the key preset themes focusing on myths and misconceptions around contraceptive use.
Results: Results are presented under four key themes: awareness of contraception, myths and misconceptions around contraception, males’ contraceptive narratives and young people’s preferred sources of contraceptives. Both men and women participants reported basic awareness of contraceptives. A mixture of biological and social misconceptions were discussed and included perceptions that modern contraception: jeopardized future fertility, could result in problems conceiving or birth defects, made women promiscuous, was ‘un-African’, and would deny couples their sexual freedom. Compared to female respondents in the study, young men appeared to be strong believers of the perceived socio-cultural effects of contraceptives. On preferred sources of contraceptives, respondents reported on two main sources, pharmacies and public hospitals, however, they could not agree on which one was suitable for them.
Conclusions: This study revealed the presence of a mixture of biological and social myths and misconceptions around contraception, with young men also strongly adhering to these misconceptions. The low level of contraceptive knowledge, particularly on contraceptive fears as revealed by the study demonstrate critical gaps in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge among young people. Improved SRH literacy to address contraceptives’ fears through appropriate and gender specific interventions to reach out to young men and women with factual SRH information may therefore contribute to increased uptake of SRH services including modern contraceptive methods.
Keywords: Kenya; Modern contraceptives; Young men and women.
Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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