Contraceptive stockouts in Western Kenya: a mixed-methods mystery client study
Abstract Background The prevalence of modern contraception use is higher in Kenya than in most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The uptake has however slowed down in recent years, which, among other factors, has been attributed to challenges in the supply chain and increasing stockouts of family pla...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09047-w |
| _version_ | 1811175943578845184 |
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| author | Katherine Tumlinson Laura E. Britton Emilia Goland Stephanie Chung Brooke W. Bullington Caitlin R. Williams Debborah Muthoki Wambua Dickens Otieno Onyango Leigh Senderowicz |
| author_facet | Katherine Tumlinson Laura E. Britton Emilia Goland Stephanie Chung Brooke W. Bullington Caitlin R. Williams Debborah Muthoki Wambua Dickens Otieno Onyango Leigh Senderowicz |
| author_sort | Katherine Tumlinson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The prevalence of modern contraception use is higher in Kenya than in most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The uptake has however slowed down in recent years, which, among other factors, has been attributed to challenges in the supply chain and increasing stockouts of family planning commodities. Research on the frequency of contraceptive stockouts and its consequences for women in Kenya is still limited and mainly based on facility audits. Methods This study employs a set of methods that includes mystery clients, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and journey mapping workshops. Using this multi-method approach, we aim to quantify the frequency of method denial resulting from contraceptive stockout and describe the impact of stockouts on the lived experiences of women seeking contraception in Western Kenya. Results Contraceptives were found to be out of stock in 19% of visits made to health facilities by mystery clients, with all contraceptive methods stocked out in 9% of visits. Women experienced stockouts as a sizeable barrier to accessing their preferred method of contraception and a reason for taking up non-preferred methods, which has dire consequences for heath, autonomy, and the ability to prevent unintended pregnancy. Reasons for contraceptive stockouts are many and complex, and often linked to challenges in the supply chain – including inefficient planning, procurement, and distribution of family planning commodities. Conclusions Contraceptive stockouts are frequent and negatively impact patients, providers, and communities. Based on the findings of this study, the authors identify areas where funding and sustained action have the potential to ameliorate the frequency and severity of contraceptive stockouts, including more regular deliveries, in-person data collection, and use of data for forecasting, and point to areas where further research is needed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T19:44:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7ab3b22ba6094410ad0b037deeed7172 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T19:44:11Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-7ab3b22ba6094410ad0b037deeed71722023-01-29T12:07:51ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632023-01-012311810.1186/s12913-023-09047-wContraceptive stockouts in Western Kenya: a mixed-methods mystery client studyKatherine Tumlinson0Laura E. Britton1Emilia Goland2Stephanie Chung3Brooke W. Bullington4Caitlin R. Williams5Debborah Muthoki Wambua6Dickens Otieno Onyango7Leigh Senderowicz8Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillColumbia University School of NursingDepartment of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillDepartment of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillCarolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillDepartment of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillInnovations for Poverty Action-Kenya (IPA-K)Kisumu County Department of HealthDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of WisconsinAbstract Background The prevalence of modern contraception use is higher in Kenya than in most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The uptake has however slowed down in recent years, which, among other factors, has been attributed to challenges in the supply chain and increasing stockouts of family planning commodities. Research on the frequency of contraceptive stockouts and its consequences for women in Kenya is still limited and mainly based on facility audits. Methods This study employs a set of methods that includes mystery clients, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and journey mapping workshops. Using this multi-method approach, we aim to quantify the frequency of method denial resulting from contraceptive stockout and describe the impact of stockouts on the lived experiences of women seeking contraception in Western Kenya. Results Contraceptives were found to be out of stock in 19% of visits made to health facilities by mystery clients, with all contraceptive methods stocked out in 9% of visits. Women experienced stockouts as a sizeable barrier to accessing their preferred method of contraception and a reason for taking up non-preferred methods, which has dire consequences for heath, autonomy, and the ability to prevent unintended pregnancy. Reasons for contraceptive stockouts are many and complex, and often linked to challenges in the supply chain – including inefficient planning, procurement, and distribution of family planning commodities. Conclusions Contraceptive stockouts are frequent and negatively impact patients, providers, and communities. Based on the findings of this study, the authors identify areas where funding and sustained action have the potential to ameliorate the frequency and severity of contraceptive stockouts, including more regular deliveries, in-person data collection, and use of data for forecasting, and point to areas where further research is needed.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09047-wFamily planningReproductive healthHealth servicesContraceptive stockoutsContraceptive supply |
| spellingShingle | Katherine Tumlinson Laura E. Britton Emilia Goland Stephanie Chung Brooke W. Bullington Caitlin R. Williams Debborah Muthoki Wambua Dickens Otieno Onyango Leigh Senderowicz Contraceptive stockouts in Western Kenya: a mixed-methods mystery client study BMC Health Services Research Family planning Reproductive health Health services Contraceptive stockouts Contraceptive supply |
| title | Contraceptive stockouts in Western Kenya: a mixed-methods mystery client study |
| title_full | Contraceptive stockouts in Western Kenya: a mixed-methods mystery client study |
| title_fullStr | Contraceptive stockouts in Western Kenya: a mixed-methods mystery client study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Contraceptive stockouts in Western Kenya: a mixed-methods mystery client study |
| title_short | Contraceptive stockouts in Western Kenya: a mixed-methods mystery client study |
| title_sort | contraceptive stockouts in western kenya a mixed methods mystery client study |
| topic | Family planning Reproductive health Health services Contraceptive stockouts Contraceptive supply |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09047-w |
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