Contraception: Digital space key to addressing unmet family planning needs

A couple browses on tips of family planning on their phone. [Getty Images]

In Kenya, access to modern contraception remains a significant challenge, particularly among young people and marginalised populations. According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2014, the national contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) was only 58 per cent, with significant disparities across regions and populations. The unmet need for family planning was estimated at 18.4 per cent, further highlighting the need for innovative approaches to increase access to contraception.

Digital platforms, including mobile phone applications and social media, have the potential to address the unmet need for contraception in Kenya by providing information, education, and access to modern family planning methods. For instance, in 2018, the Kenyan Ministry of Health launched a mobile application called TIBA YAKO, which provides information on sexual and reproductive health, including contraception. The app allows users to locate nearby health facilities where they can access family planning services.