Different types of contraceptives. [Photo/ asnwersafrica.com]
Mombasa County Health Director Dr Shame Bata has said the coastal region is now shifting focus to youth and school going girls in its family planning campaign.The director noted that Mombasa has a population of 1.2 million people hence the need to strengthen the efforts in family planning as only 55 per cent of women in the county have access to family planning services.Speaking at Sarajevo grounds in Kisauni Sub County during an event to mark the World Contraception Day on Tuesday, Dr Bata said it was high time Mombasa residents reflected on the gains made by various stakeholders and the government in family planning and its importance to population planning. “The key challenge has been getting information on family planning to reach targeted groups in the grassroots. 20 per cent of the average population of Mombasa are youth between the age of 10 -19 and according to a recent study by the director of medical services, youth engage in sex at an early age despite having poor knowledge on family planning. Only 39 per cent of the youth access family planning services,” said Dr Bata.He said the campaign will also target schools as the number of girls dropping out of school due to teenage pregnancies is on the rise.The event was organized by DSW - a non-governmental organization, the Mombasa County Government and Kenya Red Cross.The partners conducted a free medical camp in Kisauni where they offered free family planning services, free cancer screening and VCT services.