The Impact of Family Planning Training on Healthcare Workers in Baringo County

The Impact of Family Planning Training on Healthcare Workers in Baringo County

In 2019, PS Kenya’s DESIP programme launched a family planning training initiative that has since transformed healthcare providers into inspiring trainers for their peers. These dedicated professionals have tackled longstanding challenges—from stock-outs and misconceptions about contraceptives to low male involvement and limited community engagement—with a well-structured mentorship model. County Reproductive Health Coordinator, Mrs. Salina Labatt, highlights how these efforts have made a significant difference in the region.

One shining example is Norah Yator, a former Reproductive Health Coordinator at Kabartonjo Sub County Hospital. After receiving comprehensive training and mentorship from DESIP, Norah was inspired to share her knowledge with others. “When I first underwent training in 2019 on RH Module 1, I wondered how I could pass on these skills in Baringo County,” Norah recalls. “With DESIP’s support, I eventually began training my colleagues on modern contraception methods, such as the Hormonal IUCD and postpartum family planning.”

Addressing a major barrier in the region—the low uptake of Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARC)—DESIP focused on enhancing skills and providing essential job aids. In a series of training sessions led by Norah and her team, over 30 healthcare providers, including those from the private sector, learned how to effectively deliver LARC services. Their hands-on practice and subsequent mentorship led to remarkable improvements; for instance, IUCD insertions at visited facilities increased from 14 to 56, with Baringo North Sub County showing particularly strong results.

Before these interventions, Family Planning uptake in Baringo County was below 33% in 2017, according to DHIS data. Thanks to strategic support from DESIP and the Ministry of Health, facility-level contraceptive uptake climbed to 47%. Supportive supervisions, in-reaches, and outreaches were crucial in bridging gaps and driving these positive outcomes.

The success in Baringo has even sparked interest in neighboring counties such as Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot, which have adopted similar training strategies in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. DESIP’s commitment to sustainable and equitable increases in family planning is paving the way for lasting change in low contraceptive prevalence rate counties, all in line with Kenya’s Vision 2030.

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