Fertility behaviour and contraceptive use in Kenya: findings from a male survey
Muvandi, I.
African Journal of Fertility Sexuality and Reproductive Health 1(2): 136-145
1996
PMID: 12321196 Document Number: 308069
This study determined sexual behavior, contraceptive use, and fertility among a sample of 2191 men aged 20-54 years from Kajiado, Kakamega, Machakos, Migori, Mombasa, and Nyeri districts in Kenya. Data were obtained from focus group discussions and interviews. The 6 districts represent different ethnic, geographical, and socioeconomic statuses. About 51% of the sample were aged under 30 years and 22% were aged over 40 years. The mean age was 31.7 years. The age distribution of men aged under 30 years varied across districts. About 60% of the men were Protestants and 30% were Catholics. Only 10% had never attended school. Most could read a letter in their local language or in English. 91% grew up in a rural area. 89% listened to the radio, but only 25% watched television. About 71% were ever married. 80.2% were monogamously married, and 9.4% were polygamous. The mean age of first marriage was 23.3 years. The mean number of children fathered by monogamous men was 4.1 compared to a mean of 8.5 for polygamous men. Kajiado district had the highest mean of 5.4 children ever fathered. Machakos had the lowest mean of 3.6. About 85% of the Kajiado sample desired additional children compared to 54% among Kakamega men. About 71% of men in Migori and 70% in Mombasa desired additional children. Catholics had smaller families. Differences in family size desired may be related to differences in the culture among districts. Fertility outcomes and desires varied insignificantly with religion. There were statistically significant differences in children ever fathered by educational status. 80.3% of men had unprompted knowledge about the condom, 78% knew about the pill, and 53.9% were aware of the injectable. 29.2% were current contraceptive users and were the main decision makers. The pill was used the most, followed by the condom. Use varied by marital status and district. 15% reported a sex preference for sons.