The Role of Private Health Facilities in Provision of Family Planning Services among the Urban Poor

Introduction One out of three Kenyans 32% live in urban areas, with 70% living in informal settlements, with access health services from private facilities. Accessibility and availability are key determinants of family... [ view full abstract ]

Introduction
One out of three Kenyans 32% live in urban areas, with 70% living in informal settlements, with access health services from private facilities. Accessibility and availability are key determinants of family planning services. A key component of the Kenya Urban Reproductive Health Initiative “Tupange” – a 5-year program funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – was to improve Family Planning (FP) access for the urban poor populations. One of the strategies was to increase access to FP and improve the commodity supply environment.
Methodology
Registered private facilities within the urban informal settlements were identified and branded. Capacity of service providers built through training to enable them offer quality FP Service. Facilities were provided with essential equipment’s for provision services. Community health volunteers were also trained to enable them mobilize and refer clients for FP services the facilities. Facilities were also linked to the Ministry of Health (MOH) stores for distribution and redistribution of commodities. Support supervision was carried out by MOH management teams.
Results
The main source of injectable for women between baseline and end line remained the same at 65% while 26 % switched to private facilities. Women who had been getting injectable from private facilities at baseline 68% continued to do so while 27% switched to the public facilities. On the other hand those who switched from the pharmacy to private facilities increase to 63.1%. Over 70 % of private providers were able to offer more than seven methods.
Conclusion
Working with private providers and linking them to the public sector as well as ensuring the quality standards are maintained is essential for the sustainability of FP programs in the informal settlements.
References

MLE; Kenya Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (Tupange): Kenya, End line Household Survey 2014. [TWP 3-2015]. Chapel Hill, NC: MLE Project; 2015.