Trends and determinants of contraceptive method choice among women aged 15-24 years in Kenya [version 1; peer review: 2 approved with reservations]

Background: Studies show a gap in addressing the reproductive health goals of younger women whose inconsistent use of contraception is high in spite of their great need for it. The women aged 15-24 present high potential for unintended pregnancy and increase the challenge for retention of users which is key in maintaining and pushing up the current gains in contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR). Objective: The objective of the study was to examine trends in contraceptive method choice for young women aged 15-24 years using modern methods and to determine factors associated with their choices. Methods: The study used data from KDHS of 2003, 2008/9 and 2014 in descriptive analysis and logistic regression to determine the socio-economic variables that influence the choice of contraceptive methods for young women. Results: Results showed a general shift in use towards long term modern contraceptives with the shift being more pronounced among young women with primary education, from rural areas, lower wealth households, and low contraceptive use regions. Women with secondary education and higher wealth status are shifting towards short term methods. Findings confirmed socio-demographic factors of age, education, wealth status and type of region as predictors of contraceptive use. Conclusions: Contraceptive information and services should be enhanced for young women to make informed choices concerning their reproductive and sexual health to enable them complete school and transition to colleges to acquire relevant skills that will make them optimally productive and lead Kenya to achieving the demographic dividend.