The Promise of Affordable Implants; Evidence from Kenya

Katherine Tumlinson, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Markus Steiner, Family Health International (FHI)
Kate Rademacher, Family Health International (FHI)
Alice Olawo, Family Health International (FHI)
Marsden Solomon, Family Health International (FHI)
John Bratt, Family Health International (FHI)

BACKGROUND: Contraceptive implants are one of the most effective methods of family planning but remain underutilized due to their relatively high upfront cost. This study was conducted to assess whether implant clients in Kenya are paying as much or more than the direct service delivery cost of Sino-implant (II), a new low-cost implant. STUDY DESIGN: A study was conducted in 22 facilities throughout Kenya, including public (N=8), private for-profit (N=6), and private not-for-profit facilities (N=8). RESULTS: The median price for implant insertion paid by clients in the public, private for-profit, and private not-for-profit sectors was 1.30 USD, 13.30 USD, and 20.00 USD, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patient fees in both private sectors allow for 100% recovery of the direct cost of providing Sino-implant (II). Currently in Kenya, all sectors can receive donated commodities free-of-charge; Sino-implant (II) has the potential to reduce reliance on donor supplied implants and thereby improve contraceptive security.