ASSESSING HIV/AIDS AWARENESS AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG CHILDBEARING WOMEN IN BUNGOMA COUNTY, KENYA

Uptake of contraceptives is generally low in Kenya.The study carried an investigation into the relationship between HIV/AIDs related knowledge and contraceptive uptake among married child-bearing women aged 15-34 .Female condom (FC) is the only safe and effective femaleinitiated method that provides simultaneous protection against unintended pregnancy as well as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS. Knowledge of FC use among women and the perceptions and attitudes towards condom use can contribute to its uptake as an important public health strategy for HIV prevention in Kenya. Despite its effectiveness, the female condom use among Child –bearing women in Kenya remains low. The results of the study identify high levels of AIDS-related knowledge among women in Kimilili Sub-county, Bungoma County, Kenya. Unfortunately, this knowledge is yet to translate into practical and more so increased condom use. It suggested that the use of rationale choice models in AIDS prevention programs may not be adequate to change people’s sexual behavior, especially in societies where the prevailing cultural practices and norms encourage large families and discourage use of contraceptives of any type. In such settings, there is need to find appropriate mechanisms that could help increase the use of all types of contraceptives. As contraceptive use increases, it is likely that the use of condoms for AIDs prevention and also family planning purpose would increase in Kenya.