Strengthening Public Health Systems in Kenya: Lessons from integration of a HTSP/FP project into a MNCH project

World Vision is implementing a HTSP/FP Project in North-east Kenya in arid Garba Tulla Sub-County, where the CPR is 10.7% and 98% of the people are Muslims, for whom FP is sensitive or taboo.

By working closely with the MOH at four Community Units, the project has built capacity of the CHVs and CHEWs, rolled out a strategy to engage men and religious leaders and facilitated supportive supervision, quarterly monitoring and reporting on HTSP/FP for community-based health workers to strengthen the public health systems while achieving project goals. WV also integrated HTSP/FP messages and activities with a MNCH program as both focused on improving the well-being of children.  A Barrier Analysis found that male and religious beliefs impeded FP uptake. New strategies and messages were designed to influence imams, sheiks, chiefs, teachers and health workers.  All focused on the health benefits of HTSP/FP for children, mothers and communities.

WV partnered with the MOH and trained 71 male and 37 female CHWs to counsel on HTSP/FP.  In the first six months, they counseled 817 people, 42% of whom were men. Early results show that one third of all current FP users are men (163 of 494 users), with 107 using condoms and 56 using the Standard Days Method (SDM). Among 338 women using contraception, 42% used the Lactational Amenorrhea Method and 22% used SDM. This presentation will go over the challenges, lessons learned, best practices and early results in implementing an integrated family planning program, while strengthening health capacity in Kenya.