Like Chocolate: Adolescent Emergency Contraception Use in Nairobi

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Like Chocolate Adolescent Emergency
Contraception Use in Nairobi

• Karen P. Fogg, M.PH.1
• Jill Keesbury, Ph.D.2
• Rob Stephenson, Ph.D.1

1 Rollins School of Public Health, Emory
University, Atlanta, USA 2 Population Council,
Nairobi, Kenya
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Background An Epidemic" of EC Abuse?
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Study Objectives

• Test assumptions of media reports
• Rapidly assess EC use in Nairobi
• Serve as formative research for future in-depth
  study on EC use and risky sexual behavior

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Methodology

• Survey of females 14-24 in Nairobi, Kenya
• 300 respondents
• 100 secondary school
• 100 University
• 100 Out-of-school
• Questionnaire examined sexual activity,
  contraceptive knowledge/use, risk perceptions

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• Findings

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Knowledge of EC is high among Nairobis
adolescents

• Knowledge of EC in Survey Population and KDHS,
• by Percentage

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but correct knowledge is much lower

• Knowledge of EC vs. Correct Knowledge of EC,
• by percentage
• n296

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Most learn about EC from friends or family
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Knowledge of EC does not imply use

• Knowledge of EC vs. Use of EC,
• by percentage
• n296

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Use of EC among Nairobi adolescents is higher
than in the rest of the country, but still
relatively low

• Ever-use of EC vs. Other Modern Methods,
• by percentage

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Repeat use is lower than implied by the media

• You or Your Friends
• Ever Use of EC vs. Repeat Use, by percentage
• N165

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Most obtain EC from private pharmacies
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Conclusions

• Knowledge of EC is high among adolescents in
  Nairobi, although correct and comprehensive
  information is lacking
• There is no epidemic of EC abuse
• Use of EC still remains low in comparison to
  other methods
• Repeat use is not widespread

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Contacts

• Jill Keesbury, Ph.D.
• Population Council, Nairobi
• PO Box 17643
• Nairobi 00500 Kenya
• 254 20 271 3480
• jkeesbury_at_pcnairobi.org