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Women linked to population decline in Central Kenya

Women in Central Kenya may not be telling the truth on the decline of birth rates in the region as studies show they, and not alcoholism in men, are responsible.

Some women are blaming drunken men for the decline but mounting scientific evidence shows females are greatly responsible for the changing demographics in the region.

The Kenya Demographic Health Survey 2014 (KDHS), whose final report is still being prepared, shows seven out of 10 women of reproductive age in the region are on birth control.

Asked by the KDHS researchers whether they wanted another child, most said they were delaying it while those with two or three did not want another one.

However, the Chairman of the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse John Mututho says because of high alcohol consumption, men have turned into zombies who cannot bear children.

"While alcohol is a real problem in many parts of Central, Mututho's view is an exaggeration. If we are not active, then why would women need contraceptives," wonders James Kamade, 29, a teacher in Rironi, Kiambu.

Dr Karite Githaiga, a senior manager with Harleys Ltd, a pharmaceutical company, says the sale of their family planning products in Central and Nairobi has been on an upward trajectory in the last two decades.

"The sustained high use of contraceptives in any community is expected to change the structure of the population, including a decline at the lower ages," says Director of Medical Services Nicholas Muraguri.

He says when the final KDHS report is finally out, it will shed more light on this but it will be important for country health planners to use the evidence in allocating services.

Coincidentally, KDHS shows in all counties where women are having the fewest children, there is also evidence of high use of contraceptives.

The counties where women are getting the least number of children are Kirinyaga followed by Nyeri, Kiambu and Nairobi. Women in Eastern region are getting about three children with contraceptive use up to 70 per cent.

On learning of the declining population in his area, Kareke Mbiuki, an MP in Eastern, offered a Sh5,000 reward for each birth. Reportedly, the award got no takers with most women dreading pregnancy than HIV.

Further evidence was presented at the weekend showing regions with high use of contraceptives to have fewer cases of induced abortions.

The national study on abortions in Kenya was published on Friday in the international peer reviewed journal, BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. It showed Central, Nairobi and Eastern to have the lowest number of induced abortions.

One of the researchers, Chimaraoke Izugbara of the African Population and Health Research Centre told KTN last week that the study showed a strong link between high rates of unwanted pregnancies, low use of contraceptives and high population growth.

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