Introduction
Reproductive health involves the well-being of individuals in matters related to the reproductive system, including family planning, maternal care, sexual health, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and fertility treatments among others. The 2010 Constitution of Kenya article 43 (1a) guarantees every person the right to the highest attainable standard of health which includes the right to reproductive health care. This has been integrated into various frameworks which enhance service delivery at both the national and County government levels.
Despite the existence of these regulatory frameworks many Counties still face challenges in addressing reproductive health, including limited access to quality services, inadequate health infrastructure, cultural barriers, lack of comprehensive education and insufficient funding.
Trans Nzoia County, located in the former Rift Valley region, is home to 990,341 people comprising 489,107 males, 501,206 females and 28 intersex individuals. The County faces several challenges related to reproductive health, including low reporting rates, a rise in teenage pregnancies, high poverty levels and frequent staff turnover.
Through advocacy and collaboration with various partners in the reproductive health sector, as well as County governance structures, efforts have been made to engage National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) such as chiefs in awareness campaigns. County Health Management Teams (CHMTs) share data with NGAOs to support informed decision-making, which includes warning young men who exploit girls and raising awareness on the prevention of rape and teenage pregnancies. The County organizes quarterly stakeholder meetings where the church, partners and other relevant parties are involved in reducing teenage pregnancies. The sub-county focal person is given specific targets to meet within a set timeframe, including improving statistics on teenage pregnancies. These interventions have contributed to a significant reduction in the teenage pregnancy rate, decreasing from 42% in 2022 to 17.5% in 2024.
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