Findings from a mixed-methods journey map study of barriers to family planning in western Kenya

Abstract

Our objective was to map and prioritize barriers to high-quality family planning care in western Kenya. We conducted key informant interviews (n = 19); focus group discussions with clients (n = 55); mystery client visits (n = 180); unannounced visitors (n = 120); and direct observation of client-provider interactions (n = 256) at public facilities offering family planning. We synthesized the data into a client and a provider journey map, which we used to facilitate client (n = 9) and provider (n = 12) discussions. For both groups, stockouts were frequent, impactful, and important barriers. Clients also reported male partner resistance, insufficient counseling, and informal fees were priority barriers.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the career development grant (R00 HD086270) to Dr. Tumlinson and an infrastructure grant for population research (P2C HD047879) to the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The contents of this article are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH/NICHD or NIH/NINR. While writing this manuscript, Dr. Britton was supported by NIH/NINR T32NR007969 (PI: Bakken).

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare. In her capacity as an expert on asthma management, Dr. George is a speaker and consultant for AstraZeneca, Genentech, and a consultant for Sanofi Regeneron and Teva.

Additional information

Funding

National Institute of Nursing Research.