Ministry plans to better reproductive services for youth

Principal Secretary Mary Muriuki. [File, Standard]

The Ministry of Health will establish friendly clinics and health centres to address the youths’ needs, Principal Secretary Mary Muriuki said.

The department envisages awareness creation through community outreach programmes to address teenage pregnancies and promote sexual and reproductive health.

The PS said that in collaboration with other stakeholders, the department developed policies, including the 10-year National Reproductive Health 2022-2032, to ensure that every Kenyan achieves the highest reproductive health status.

The PS further stated that adolescent reproductive health and development policy is in place to address the needs of adolescents, aligning with national and international declarations and conventions catering to specific populations, including the young generation.

She said strategies are in place to address health challenges, including teenage pregnancies, Female Genital Mutilation, drug abuse, Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and new HIV infections, by mobilizing local, bilateral and multilateral partnerships and resources.

“This is outlined in the National plan of action, and it involves enhanced engagement of stakeholders, duty bearers and policymakers in awareness creation,” stated Muriuki.

She said the Triple Threat Initiative, led by the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council, collaborates with the government and society in committing to end new HIV infections, adolescent pregnancies and SGBV.

“Partnerships with civil society, NonGovernmental Organisations among others, in implementing programs that target the youth and adolescents on health education will enable the ministry to achieve the goals,” she said, noting the role played by Linda Mama’s initiative in free maternal services, including education family planning and reproductive health.

Muriuki said Contraceptives Prevalence Rate (CPR) among married women aged 15-49 has increased significantly with modern contraceptives attaining 58 percent in 2022 compared to 53 percent in 2014.

She noted the most used methods include injectables, implants and oral contraceptive pills.

The PS also said contraceptive use varies depending on regions with urban areas being highly used compared to rural areas.

“Nairobi and other urban centres have higher usage rates compared to counties in the northeastern parts of the country,” she observed.

She however noted that 18 percent of married women have not met their needs for contraceptives, an indication of a gap between women’s reproductive intentions and their contraceptive use.

“Contraceptive use is generally higher among women with higher levels of education and those in higher wealth quintiles. Efforts are being made to reach women in lower socioeconomic groups to ensure equitable access,” said Muriuki.

She said there is an increase in the use of contraceptives among adolescents aged between 19 to 19 and young women aged between 20 and 24. However, she noted that stigma, lack of awareness and barriers to accessing youth-friendly services remain a challenge.

“Ministry of Health has implemented various initiatives to promote the use of contraceptives including free or subsidized contraceptives, community-based distribution, mobile outreach programs and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education,” she stated.

Muriuki said programs are in place to address the challenges of teenage pregnancies.

“There are multiple initiatives in place offering sexuality education including family life education in schools, other initiatives targeting parents, guardians, religious leaders and media,” she stated noting that the constitution permits termination of pregnancies only under specific conditions including when the life or health of the mother is at risk, in case of emergency and if permitted by any other written law. 

The PS said a review of school curricula to examine gaps in preparing adolescents to handle reproductive health aspects will strengthen awareness in the community.

“Schools and other institutions of learning have an opportunity to provide the information required to support adolescent sexuality education. Other platforms include those offered by religious leaders, the digital space and even at the traditional community setting. Our policy dialogues should be about home-grown solutions to the challenges,” said Muriuki.

She said the Health Ministry has been working in partnership with Education to review curricula that offer age-appropriate sexuality education curricula that align with national health policies and guidelines.