Cost Effectiveness Analysis of Family Planning Provision in Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya, total fertility rate and contraceptive prevalence rate have shown marginal changes since the 1990s, raising questions about efficiency and effectiveness of provision of reproductive health services, which has received little attention in the country and elsewhere in Africa. We use data from Thika sub-county in central Kenya to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of family planning service provision alternatives. The results show that costs per couple year of protection vary widely across facilities within government and non-government providers, but are slightly higher amongst the former. The cost-effectiveness ratios were sensitive to exclusion of certain commodity costs. We conclude that family planning provision systems found in Thika are efficient but call for strengthening of lower level facilities, which are more cost effective and largely serve the poor.