Utilization of child spacing services and associated factors among riverine Somali communities in Mandera County, Kenya

Authors

  • Hassan M. Odo Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Kenyatta University, Kahawa Kenya
  • Peterson Warutere Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Kenyatta University, Kahawa Kenya
  • Joseph Musau Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Kenyatta University, Kahawa, Kenya
  • Bibi Abdallah Bakari Kilifi County Government, Department of Health, Kenya
  • Fatuma Abdullahi Sheikh Department of Community and Public Health, Kenyatta University, Kahawa, Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20254415

Keywords:

Kenya, Child spacing, Women of reproductive age

Abstract

Background: Child spacing services are a range of healthcare and counselling services supporting one in making informed decisions about timed and spaced children. According to Kassim and Ndumbaro found that reproductive health (RH) right enable partners to decide to have or not to have children, number of children and when to do so.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design study conducted in Mandera County between July 2024 to December 2024. SPPS version 25 was used for statistical analysis. Chi-square test was used to assess relationships between variables at a level of confidence of 95%.

Results: Results showed that the age of participants showed a statistically significant association with the uptake of child spacing services (p=0.014). Educational level attained was statistically linked with uptake of child spacing services (p=0.036), occupation (p=0.006), and number of children (p=0.028). However, the nuptial status did not show a significantly statistical linkage with the uptake of child spacing services (p=0.177). There was statistical relationship between knowledge level with the uptake of child spacing services (χ2=6.476, p=0.039). Religion, decision maker, threats by partner and stigma were social cultural factors that significantly affected uptake of child spacing services with a p<0.05.

Conclusions: The study further concludes that socio-demographic factors including age, educational level, occupation and number of children were significantly associated with uptake of child spacing services. Religion, decision makers, threats from partner and stigma were associated factors that influence uptake of child spacing services.

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Published

2025-12-31

How to Cite

Odo, H. M., Warutere, P., Musau, J., Bakari, B. A., & Abdullahi Sheikh, F. (2025). Utilization of child spacing services and associated factors among riverine Somali communities in Mandera County, Kenya. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 13(1), 93–100. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20254415

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Original Research Articles