Family planning through private practitioners: characteristics of Kenyan contraceptive acceptors.

Kenya has one of the highest population growth rates in the world. Innovative programs are therefore called for to help curb the fast population growth rate. The Kenya Medical Association started a new program of involving private physicians in the active provision of family planning services. A preliminary analysis shows that the program serves generally young, better educated women of low parity. Sixty-one percent of the clients are new acceptors and the oral contraceptive pill the most popular method. The level of education of the clients had marked influence on family size. Age, parity and marital status also influenced the pattern of contraceptive use. These preliminary results are discussed against the background of the 1984 Kenya Contraceptive Prevalence Survey findings and possible areas of improvement suggested.