Reproductive health decision making among nomadic pastoralists in North Eastern Kenya: a qualitative social network analysis

Abstract

Plain language summary Few studies have asked nomadic women in Kenya to name the important individuals in their lives when it comes to making reproductive and sexual health decisions, including their use of family planning. These important individuals are described as a woman’s “network”. We used a survey and open-ended interview format to identify the individuals in four nomadic women’s networks (“social network analysis”). Data was analysed in R and we created a visual map of these networks. Women named 10–12 individuals. Women’s husbands made reproductive health decisions and did not approve of modern family planning use. Apart from their husbands, women did not know who in their network approved of their use of family planning. Female neighbors and mothers provided important support to women. Interventions to increase awareness of modern FP should engage with everyone in a woman’s network.

Keywords

• Social network
• Nomadic pastoralist
• Family planning
• Reproductive health
• Social norms