Evaluating the Efficacy of Traditional Family Planning Practices among the Kipsigis Community in Kericho County, Kenya

Abstract

Kipsigis is one of the eight communities among the Kalenjin tribe. Traditional family planning is embedded within the Kalenjin culture and has been well-known for its effectiveness. This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of traditional family planning practices among the Kipsigis Community in Kericho County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to establish existing sources of indigenous knowledge on family planning practices, establish the methods of disseminating indigenous knowledge on family planning practices, explore the benefits and demerits of traditional family planning practices, establish the level of adoption of Western methods of family planning among the Kipsigis Community and assess the perception of elders on the differential efficacy between the traditional family planning practices among the Kipsigis. The study used a multi-site case design that was both quantitative and qualitative to facilitate in-depth investigation and comparison of the themes from three sub-counties. The sub-counties were selected due to their rich traditions and ways of living. Three village elders were interviewed in each sub-county, and questionnaires were administered to 90 knowledgeable older women and men equally distributed between the three sub-counties. These participants were identified using snowballing. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis, while quantitative data were analysed using Excel. The study revealed that the community are exposed to traditional family planning methods from many sources. As a result, the belief in the efficacy of traditional family planning methods is stronger than that of modern approaches.