Kenya

2014 Demographic and Health Survey

Key Findings
The 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (2014 KDHS) was implemented by the Kenya National
Bureau of Statistics from May 2014 to October 2014 in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the National
AIDS Control Council (NACC), the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD), and the
Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). Funding for the KDHS was provided by the Government of
Kenya with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United
Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DfID),
the World Bank, the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), the United Nations Children’s
Fund (UNICEF), the German Development Bank (KfW), the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), the
World Food Programme (WFP), and the Micronutrient Initiative (MI). ICF International provided technical
assistance for the survey through The DHS Program, a USAID-funded project that helps implement
population and health surveys in countries worldwide.

Additional information about the 2014 KDHS may be obtained from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
(KNBS), P.O. Box 30266-00100 GPO Nairobi, Kenya; telephone (Nairobi): 3317586/8, 3317612/22, 3317623,
3317651; fax: 3315977; e-mail: directorgeneral@knbs.or.ke, info@knbs.or.ke; website: www.knbs.or.ke.

Additional information about The DHS Program may be obtained from ICF International, 530 Gaither Road,
Suite 500, Rockville, MD 20850, USA (telephone: 301-407-6500; fax: 301-407-6501; e-mail: info@DHSprogram.
com; Internet: www.DHSprogram.com).

Suggested citation:

National Bureau of Statistics-Kenya and ICF International. 2015. 2014 KDHS Key Findings. Rockville,
Maryland, USA: KNBS and ICF International.

Cover photo © 2013 Karolina Lagiewka, Courtesy of Photoshare

WORLD BANK
About the 2014 KDHS
The 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) is designed to provide data for monitoring the
population and health situation in Kenya. The 2014 KDHS is the sixth Demographic and Health Survey
conducted in Kenya since 1989, and the objective of the survey was to provide reliable estimates of fertility
levels, marriage, sexual activity, fertility preferences, family planning methods, breastfeeding practices,
nutrition, childhood and maternal mortality, maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS and other sexually
transmitted infections (STIs), and domestic violence that can be used by program managers and policymakers
to evaluate and improve existing programs.

Who participated in the survey?

A nationally representative sample of 31,079 women age 15-49 and 12,819 men age 15-54 in selected
households were interviewed. This represents a response rate of 97% of women and 90% of men. The sample
design for the 2014 KDHS provides estimates at the national and regional (formerly provincial) levels, for
urban and rural areas, and for select indicators the county level. This is the first KDHS that includes county-
level data.

2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey Page 1

Characteristics of Households and Respondents
Household Composition
Kenyan households have an average of 3.9 members.
Just under one in three Kenyan households is headed
by women. Forty-three percent of the household
population is under age 15.

Water, Sanitation, and Electricity

Just over one-third (36%) of Kenyan households have
electricity: 68% of urban households and 13% of rural
households.

Seven in ten households have an improved source of

drinking water. Almost 9 in 10 households in urban
areas have improved drinking water compared to
59% of households in rural areas. For more than one-
© 2012 Mutunga Nzoka,
quarter of households, it takes 30 minutes or longer
Courtesy of Photoshare
to obtain drinking water.

Less than one-quarter of Kenyan households have Education of Respondents

an improved, and not shared toilet facility. An Seven percent of women and 3% of men age 15-49
additional 30% have a shared toilet facility, while have had no education. About one-quarter of women
almost half (47%) have a non-improved facility or and men have completed primary school, while
no facility at all. Households in urban areas are 16% of women and 19% of men have completed
more likely to have shared facilities (50%), while secondary school. Eleven percent of Kenyan
households in rural areas are more likely to have women and 14% of Kenyan men have gone beyond
an unimproved facility (64%). Sixteen percent of secondary school.
households in rural areas have no toilet at all.
Almost all men (97%) and 88% of women age 15-49
Ownership of Goods are literate.
Almost 9 in 10 households have a mobile phone,
while 68% have a radio and 35% have a television.
Education
Ownership of these three items is higher in Percent distribution of women and men age 15-49
urban areas than in rural areas. Very few Kenyan by highest level of education attended
households own a car or truck (5%), 7% own a More than
11 14
motorcycle or scooter, and 21% have a bicycle. In secondary
all, two-thirds of households own agricultural land. 16 19 Secondary
complete
While this is more common in rural areas (79%) it is 16
Secondary
16
also quite common among urban households (48%). incomplete
25 Primary
23
complete
27 Primary incomplete
26
7 3 No education
Women Men

Page 2 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey

Fertility and Its Determinants
Total Fertility Rate Trends in Fertility
Women in Kenya currently have an average of 3.9 Births per woman for the three-year
births. This is a marked decline from the total fertility period before the survey
rate of 4.6 reported in the 2008-09 KDHS.
8.1
Women in rural areas have almost 1.5 more children,
6.7
on average, than women in urban areas (4.5 versus 5.4
3.1). Fertility varies dramatically by county, from a 4.7 4.9 4.6
3.9
low of 2.3 births per woman in Kirinyaga, to a high of
7.8 births per woman in Wajir.

Fertility decreases by education. Women with no 1977-78 1989 1993 1998 2003 2008-09 2014
education have an average of 6.5 children, while KFS KDHS KDHS KDHS KDHS KDHS KDHS
women with secondary or higher education have an *Surveys prior to 2003 excluded North Eastern region and several
northern districts in Eastern and Rift Valley regions.
average of 3.0 children.

Fertility also decreases with household wealth*.

Women from the poorest households have an
average of 6.4 births compared with women from the
wealthiest households who have 2.8 births.
Total Fertility Rate by County
Births per woman for the three-year
period before the survey

* Wealth of families is calculated through household assets collected from DHS surveys—i.e., type of flooring; source of water;
availability of electricity; possession of durable consumer goods. These are combined into a single wealth index. They are then divided
into five groups of equal size, or quintiles, based on their relative standing on the household wealth index.

2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey Page 3

Age at First Marriage, Sexual Intercourse and Teenage Fertility
Birth Eighteen percent of young women age 15-49 have
Six in ten women and 5 in 10 men age 15-49 are begun childbearing: 15% have already had a live
currently married or living together. Women marry birth and an additional 3% are pregnant with their
at a median age of 20.2 (women age 25-49) while men first child.
marry about 5 years later, at a median age of 25.3
Teenage childbearing varies widely by county, from
(among men age 30-49).
a low of 6% in Murang’a to a high of 40% in Narok.
Age at marriage increases with education. Women Young women with no education are much more
with secondary or higher education marry almost 5 likely to have begun childbearing (33%) compared to
years later than women with no education (median those with secondary or higher education (12%).
age of 22.7 versus 17.9). Age at marriage varies
widely by county of residence. Women living in Polygyny
Migori, Tana River, and Homa Bay marry the earliest, Eleven percent of women age 15-49 report that they
at just over 17 years. Women living in Nyeri marry have at least one co-wife, that is, that they are in a
the latest, at a median age of 21.8 years. Overall, more polygynous union. Polygyny is most common among
than one-quarter of women are married by age 18, women with no education (32%) and among women
while 8% are married by age 15. from the poorest households (24%).

In general, women and men initiate sexual Six percent of men age 15-49 report that they have
intercourse before marriage, at a median age of more than one wife.
18.0 for women and 17.4 for men. Fifteen percent of
women and 21% of men had first sex by age 15.

Women have their first birth at a median age of 20.3,

just slightly later than the median age age at first
marriage.

Median Age at First Sex, Birth, and Marriage

Among women and men age 25-49
Women Men
25.3*

20.2 20.3
18.0
17.4

na
Median Median age at Median
age at first marriage age at
first sex (* men age 30-49) first birth

Page 4 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey

Family Planning
Current Use of Family Planning Trends in Family Planning Use
More than half (53%) of married women age 15- The use of modern methods of family planning
49 are currently using a modern method of family continues to increase in Kenya, from 39% in 2008-09
planning in Kenya. Injectables are the most common to 53% in 2014. This increase is due primarily to the
method, used by 26% of married women, followed increase in use of implants and injectables. Use of
by implants (10%) and the pill (8%). An additional traditional methods has dropped slightly.
5% use a traditional method.

Family planning use is even higher among sexually Trends in Contraceptive Use
active unmarried women, at 61%. The most popular Percentage of married women currently using a
contraceptive method
methods among sexually active unmarried women
2003 KDHS 2008-09 KDHS 2014 KDHS
are injectables (22%) and male condoms (21%).

Among married women, modern method use

58
increases with education. Almost 60% of married 53
women with secondary or higher education are 46
39 39
currently using a modern method compared to only 32
15% of women with no education.

Modern method use also varies by county. More than 8 6 5

70% of married women in Meru (73%) and Kirinyaga
Any Any modern Any traditional
(76%) are using a modern method, while use is below method method method
6% in all three counties in North Eastern region
(Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera).

Use of Modern Methods by County

Percentage of married women currently using
a modern method of family planning

2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey Page 5

Need for Family Planning
Desire to Delay or Stop Childbearing Exposure to Family Planning Messages
Half of married women and 42% of married men Three-quarters of women and more than 80% of
age 15-49 want no more children or are sterilised. men heard family planning messages on the radio
In addition, about one-third of married women and in the months before the survey. Just less than half
men want to wait at least two years before their next of women and 58% of men saw family planning
birth. These are potential users of family planning. messages on television, and 29% of women and 43%
of men saw messages in newspapers or magazines.
Unmet Need for Family Planning Overall, 80% of women and 87% of men heard or saw
Unmet need for family planning is defined as the family planning messages in the months before the
percentage of married women who want to space survey through at least one of these sources. Women
their next birth or stop childbearing entirely but are and men in the poorest households are least likely to
not using contraception. have seen family planning messages.
Eighteen percent of married women age 15-49 have Informed Choice
an unmet need for family planning, 9% for spacing Family planning clients should be informed about
and 8% for limiting. This marks a substantial decline the side effects of the method used, what to do if they
since 2008-09 when 26% of women had an unmet experience side effects, and told about other available
need. family planning methods.
Unmet need is higher in rural areas (20%) than urban Sixty percent of women using modern methods were
areas (13%). Unmet need decreases with education: informed about side effects, 52% were informed what
28% of women with no education have an unmet to do if they experience side effects, and 79% were
need for family plannng compared to 12% of women told about other family planning methods available
with secondary or higher education. Unmet need also
decreases with household wealth.

Unmet Need for Family Planning by Education

Percent of married women age 15-49
with an unmet need for family planning

28
23

15
12

No Primary Primary Secondary+

education incomplete complete

Page 6 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey

Childhood Mortality
Rates and Trends Trends in Childhood Mortality
Childhood mortality continues to decline in Kenya. Deaths per 1,000 live births for the
According to the 2014 KDHS, infant mortality is 39 five-year period before the survey
deaths per 1,000 live births and under-five mortality 2003 KDHS 2008-09 KDHS 2014 KDHS
is 52 deaths per 1,000 live births. This means that 1 115
in 20 children dies before their fifth birthday. This is
less than half the under-five mortality rate published 77 74
in the 2003 KDHS when more than 2 in 20 children
did not survive until their fifth birthday (115 deaths 52 52
per 1,000 live births). Neonatal mortality and infant 39
33 31
mortality have also declined since 2003. 22

Mortality Rates by Background Neonatal Infant Under-five

Characteristics mortality mortality mortality
Under-five mortality is virtually the same in urban
and rural areas of Kenya. There is more variation
by region. Under-five mortality is lowest in Central
region (42 deaths per 1,000 live births for the 10 years
before the survey) and highest in Nyanza (82 deaths
per 1,000 live births).

In Kenya, there is not a strong pattern between

childhood mortality and mother’s education, as the
under-five mortality rate is exactly the same among
children whose mothers have no education and those
whose mothers have secondary or higher education.
Under-five mortality does appear to decrease slightly
with household wealth.

Birth Intervals
Spacing children at least 36 months apart reduces
the risk of infant death. In Kenya, the median birth Under-Five Mortality by Previous Birth Interval
Deaths per 1,000 live births for the
interval is 36.3 months.
ten-year period before the survey
Infants born less than two years after a previous
birth have high under-five mortality rates. In Kenya, 83
under-five mortality is highest among children
whose previous birth interval is less than two years, 53
42 44
at 83 deaths per 1,000 live births. In comparison,
children born three years after a previous birth have
an under-five mortality rate of only 42 deaths per
1,000 live births. Eighteen percent of births in Kenya <2 years 2 years 3 years 4+ years
have a birth interval of less than two years, putting
them at additional risk of childhood death.

2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey Page 7

Maternal Health
Antenatal Care Newborns are less likely than women to receive
Almost all women (96%) age 15-49 who had a live a postnatal check-up: only 36% of births had a
birth in the five years before the survey received postnatal checkup in the first 2 days after birth, and
any antenatal care (ANC) from a skilled provider 62% had no postnatal checkup at all.
(doctor, nurse, or midwife). Only 4% of women had
Trends in Maternal Health
no antenatal care.
Overall, maternal health indicators are improving
The timing and quality of prenatal care are also in Kenya. Delivery in a health facility has improved
important. Almost 6 in 10 women received four or dramatically since 2008-09, from only 43% of births
more ANC visits, but only 20% had their first ANC in 2008-09 to 61% in 2014. Assistance at delivery has
visit in first trimester, as recommended. increased as well.

The quality of ANC care is inconsistent. Sixty-nine Trends in Maternal Health Care
percent of women 15-49 with live birth in last five Percent of live births in the five years before the survey
years took iron tablets or syrup, and among women 2003 KDHS 2008-09 KDHS 2014 KDHS
who received ANC, almost all had their blood 96
pressure measured, a blood sample taken, and were 88 92
weighed during ANC. But only 58% were informed
61 62
of signs of pregnancy complications. Three-quarters
of women’s most recent births were protected against 40 43 42 44
neonatal tetanus

Delivery and Postnatal Care

Antenatal care by Delivery in a Delivery
Six in ten live births were delivered in a health skilled provider health facility assistance by
facility, 46% in the public sector and 15% in the during pregnancy skilled provider
(% of women for
private sector. Still more than one-third of births most recent birth)
(37%) were delivered at home.
Maternal Mortality
Delivery in a health facility increases with a woman’s
The 2014 KDHS asked women about deaths of their
education and wealth. Only one-quarter of births to
sisters to determine maternal mortality—deaths
women with no education were delivered in a health
associated with pregnancy and childbearing. The
facility compared to 84% of births to women with
2014 KDHS reports that the maternal mortality for
secondary or higher education.
the seven year period before the survey (2007-2014) is
Health facility births are most common in urban 362 deaths per 100,000 live births, with a confidence
areas (82%). More than 90% of births in Kirinyaga interval of 254-471.
and Kiambu counties are delivered in a health
While this is lower than the maternal mortality rate
facility, while Wajir has the lowest rate of facility
reported in the 2008-09 KDHS (520, with a confidence
deliveries at 18% (see map on page 18).
interval of 343-696), the decrease is not statistically
Just over 60% of births are delivered with the significant due to the overlapping confidence
assistance of a skilled provider—36% by midwives intervals. There is no evidence that the maternal
and 26% by doctors. Five percent of live births were mortality ratio has declined in recent years in Kenya.
delivered alone.

Postnatal care helps prevent complications after

childbirth. Just over half (53%) of women age 15-49
with a live birth in last two years received postnatal
checkup within two days of delivery. More than 2 in
5 women received no postnatal care at all.

Page 8 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey

Child Health
Vaccination Coverage
Almost 8 in 10 children (79%) age 12-23 months have Basic Vaccination Coverage by
received all basic vaccinations (BCG, measles, and Mother’s Education
three doses each of DPT and polio vaccine, excluding Percent of children age 12-23 months who have
received all basic vaccinations
polio vaccine given at birth). Two percent of children
have received no vaccines.
84 87
Basic vaccination has improved only slightly since 75
2008-09 when 77% of children had received all of 57
these basic vaccines.

Basic vaccination coverage is slightly higher in

urban than rural areas (83% versus 77%). There is
tremendous variation by county, from 36% coverage No Primary Primary Secondary +
in West Pokot to over 95% coverage in Nyamira, education incomplete complete
Nandi, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, and Tharaka-Nithi (see
map on page 18).

Basic vaccination coverage increases with mother’s

education and household wealth. Only 57% of
children age 12-23 months whose mothers have
no education have received all basic vaccinations
compared to 87% of children whose mothers have
secondary or higher education.

Childhood Illnesses
Nine percent of children under age five had
symptoms of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in the
two weeks before the survey. Among these children,
two-thirds received advice or treatment from a health
provider and half received antibiotics.

Fifteen percent of children under age five had

diarrhoea in the two weeks before the survey.
Diarrhoea is most common among children age 6-11
months (27%). Almost 6 in 10 (58%) children with
diarrhoea were taken to health facility or provider
© 2011 Jessica Katz, Courtesy of Photoshare
Children with diarrhoea should drink more fluids,
particularly through oral rehydration therapy (ORT).
Eighty-two percent of children under age five with
diarrhoea received ORT or increased fluids, while
11% received no treatment.

2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey Page 9

Feeding Practices and Supplementation
Breastfeeding and the Introduction of
Complementary Foods
Almost all children in Kenya are ever breastfed
(99%). Just over 60% were breastfed in the first
hour of life, and 91% were breastfed during the first
day of life. Sixteen percent of children received a
prelacteal feed, that is, something other than breast
milk during the first three days of life, contrary to
recommendations.

WHO recommends that children receive nothing but

breastmilk (exclusive breastfeeding) for the first six
months of life. Three in five (61%) children under six
months in Kenya are exclusively breastfed. Exclusive
breastfeeding has increased from 32% in 2008-09.

On average, Kenyan children are breastfed for 21

months and exclusively breastfed for 4.3 months.

Complementary foods should be introduced

when a child is six months old to reduce the risk
of malnutrition. Just over 80% of children age 6-9
months receive complementary foods.

Vitamin A and Iron Supplementation

Micronutrients are essential vitamins and minerals
required for good health. Vitamin A, which prevents
blindness and infection, is particularly important © 2012 Karolina Lagiewka, Courtesy of Photoshare
for children, pregnant women, and new mothers.
Seventy-two percent of children age 6-23 months ate
foods rich in fitamin A the day before the survey; the
same proportion were given vitamin A supplements
in the 6 months before the survey. Just over half
(54%) of women age 15-49 with a live birth in last 5
years received fitamin A postpartum.

Pregnant women should take iron tablets for at

least 90 days during pregnancy to prevent anaemia
and other complications. Only 8% of women age
15-49 with a live birth in last 5 years received iron
supplements for 90+ days. One-third of children age
6-23 months ate foods rich in iron the day before the
survey, and only 6% of children age 6-59 months
received iron supplement in week before the survey.

Virtually all households in Kenya have iodised salt.

Page 10 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey

Nutritional Status
Children’s Nutritional Status Women’s Nutritional Status
The 2014 KDHS measures children’s nutritional The 2014 KDHS also took weight and height
status by comparing height and weight measurements of women age 15–49. The survey
measurements against an international reference results indicate that 9% of women 15-49 are thin
standard. while one-third of women (33%) are overweight or
obese.
In Kenya, just over one-quarter of children under five
are stunted, or too short for their age. This is a sign Overweight and obesity are more common among
of chronic undernutrition. Stunting is more common women in urban areas (43%), although still more
in rural areas than urban ares (29% versus 20%) and than one-quarter of women in rural areas (26%) are
ranges from 15% in Nyeri to 46% in Kitui and in overweight or obese. Almost half of women living in
West Pokot (see map on page 19). Children of highly Nyeri, Kirinyaga, and Mombasa are overweight or
educated mothers and those from the wealthiest obese.
household are least likely to be stunted.
Overweight and obesity increase with household
Four percent of children under five are wasted, wealth: one half of women in the wealthiest
or too thin for their height. This is a sign of acute households are overweight or obese compared to
malnutrition. Wasting is most common in Turkana 12% in the poorest households.
(23%).
The percentage of women who are too thin has
Overall, 11% of children are underweight, indicating dropped slightly since the 2008-09 survey, but
that their weight is too low for their age. Four percent overweight and obesity have increased since 2008-09,
of children are overweight, or weigh too much for from a total of 25% to 33%.
their height.
Trends in Women's Nutritional Status
Children’s nutritional status has improved in recent Percent of women age 15-49
years. Stunting has dropped from 35% in 2008-09 to
2008-09 KDHS 2014 KDHS
26% in 2014. Wasting and underweight have also
dropped slightly. Overweight is not significantly
changed from the 2008-09 survey.
33
Trends in Children’s Nutritional Status 25 10 Obese
Percent of children under five, 7
based on 2006 WHO Child Growth Standards 12 23
9 18 Overweight
1998 KDHS 2003 KDHS 2008-09 KDHS 2014 KDHS
Thin Overweight
38
36 35
26
18 16 16
11
7 6 7 6 6 5
4 4
Stunted Wasted Underweight Overweight
*Surveys prior to 2003 excluded North Eastern region and several
northern districts in Eastern and Rift Valley regions.

2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey Page 11

Malaria
Mosquito Nets Intermittent Preventive Treatment of
In Kenya, 59% of households own at least one Pregnant Women (IPTp)
insecticide-treated net (ITN); almost all of these (57%) Malaria during pregnancy contributes to low birth
are long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs). One-third weight, infant mortality, and other complications. To
of households have at least one ITN or LLIN for prevent malaria, pregnant women should receive two
every two people. or more doses of SP/Fansidar during an antenatal
care visit. In Kenya, only 17% of pregnant women
ITN ownership varies by region and follows the age 15-49 with a live birth in last two years took 2 or
malaria risk pattern. ITN ownership is lowest in more doses of SP/Fansidar and received at least one
counties with low risk of seasonal transmission during an ANC visit.
(Nyandarua, Laikipia, Samburu, Nyeri, and Elgeyo
Marakwet) (see map on page 19). Receipt of IPTp varies tremendously by region:
more than half of women in Coast received two or
Almost half of the household population in Kenya more doses of SP/Fansidar during their most recent
has access to an ITN, assuming that each ITN in the pregnancy, compared to 2% of women in North
household was used by up to two people. Slightly Eastern and 1% of women in Nairobi, where the IPTp
fewer (42%) household members slept under an ITN program was not implemented.
the night before the survey.
Management of Malaria in Children
Young children and pregnant women are at
One-quarter (24%) of children under five had a fever
particular risk of malaria infection. Just over half
in the two weeks before the survey. Among these
of children under five (54%) and pregnant women
children 72% sought advice or treatment. Just 35%
(51%) slept under an ITN the night before the survey.
had blood taken from a finger or heel for malaria
Children under 12 months are more likely to sleep
testing. Just over one-quarter of children with fever
under an ITN than older children. ITN use increases
took antimalarial drugs.
with household wealth for both children and
pregnant women. Artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) is the
recommended drug for treating malaria in children.
Ownership and use of ITNs increased markedly
Among children under five with fever in the 2 weeks
between the 2003 and 2008-09 surveys, but has
before the survey and who received an antimalarial,
increased only slightly between the 2008-09 and 2014
86% received ACT.
surveys.

Trends in ITN Ownership and Use

2003 KDHS 2008-09 KDHS 2014 KDHS

56 59 54
47 49 51

6 5 4
Households Children Pregnant
owning at least under age 5 women
one ITN (%) Percent who slept under an ITN the
night before the survey

© 2012 Georgina Goodwin/Vestegaard Frandsen,

Courtesy of Photoshare

Page 12 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey

HIV Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviour
Knowledge of HIV Prevention Methods Multiple Sexual Partners
The large majority of women and men know the One percent of women and 13% of men age 15-49
two primary modes of preventing HIV transmission: reported that they had two or more sexual partners
using condoms (80% for women and 88% for men) in the year before the survey. Among them, 40% of
and limiting sexual intercourse to one uninfected women and 44% of men say that they used a condom
partner (92% among women and 94% among men). during last sex. Women in Kenya report an average
of 2.1 lifetime sexual partners, while men report 6.8
This prevention knowledge is lowest among the lifetime sexual partners.
young women and men, and among those with no
education. Only 44% of women and 50% of men with Male Circumcision
no education know the two prevention methods Male circumcision can reduce transmission of
compared to 84% of women and 90% of men with HIV. The large majority (93%) of men in Kenya are
secondary or higher education. circumcised. Male circumcision has become more
common in recent years, up from 84% in 2003.
Knowledge of Prevention of Mother-to-Child
Transmission (PMTCT) HIV Testing
Almost 9 in 10 women and men age 15-49 know that More than 8 in 10 women age 15-49 have ever been
HIV can be spread by breastfeeding. Three-quarters tested for HIV and received the results, and 53%
of women and two-thirds of men know that the risk were tested in the year before the survey. Testing is
of mother-to-child transmission can be reduced by also common among men: 71% have ever been tested
the mother taking drugs during pregnancy. PMTCT and received results and 46% were tested in the year
knowledge increases with both education and before the survey. This marks a large increase since
household wealth. 2008-09 when only 57% of women and 40% of men
had ever been tested for HIV and received the results.
Knowledge of HIV Prevention
Percent of women and men age 15-49 who know that Trends in HIV Testing
the risk of HIV transmission can be reduced by: Percent of women and men age 15-49 who were
Women tested for HIV and received their results
Men 2008-09 KDHS 2014 KDHS
80
Using condoms Ever tested Tested in past
88 12 months
83
71
Limiting sex to one 92 57 53
uninfected partner 46
94 40
29
23
Knowledge of Mother-to-Child Transmission
Percent of women and men age 15-49 who know that:
Women Men Women Men
HIV can be transmitted 89
by breastfeeding 87 Recent testing among women ranges from 8% in
Mandera to 65% in Migori (see map ate 20).
Transmission can be 76 In addition, two-thirds of women age 15-49 who gave
reduced by mother taking
drugs during pregnancy 68 birth in the two years before the survey received
counselling on HIV, an HIV test during antenatal
care, and the results of the test. Three-quarters of
women with secondary or higher education received
testing and counselling during ANC compared to
only 38% of women with no education.

2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey Page 13

Women’s Empowerment
Employment Attitudes toward Wife Beating
Three-quarters of married women age 15-49 and Forty-two percent of women and 36% of men age
virtually all married men age 15-49 were employed in 15-49 believe a husband is justified in beating his wife
12 months before the survey.Among those who were for at least one of the following reasons: she burns
employed, 61% of women and 82% of men were paid the food, she argues with him, she goes out without
in cash only; 20% of women and 7% of men were not telling him, she neglects the children, or she refuses
paid for their work. to have sexual intercourse with him. Among both
women and men, neglecting the children is the most
Half of employed married women say that they alone commonly justified reason for wife beating.
decide how to use their cash earnings; 41% decide
jointly with their husbands, and 9% say that mainly
their husbands decide. More than 7 in 10 women say
that they earn less than their husbands.

Ownership of Assets
Forty-two percent of women and 49% of men age
15-49 own a home (alone or jointly). Similarly, 39% of
women and 44% of men own land alone or jointly.
Participation in Decisionmaking
Participation in Household Decisions
Percent of married women who
The 2014 KDHS asked currently married women make decisions alone or jointly with their spouse
about their participation in four types of household
decisions: her own health care, making major Own health care 79
household purchases, visits to family or relatives, Making major 73
and what food should be cooked each day. household purchases
Visits to family or
While almost all (94%) of women participate in relatives
73
the decision about what food to cook, about three-
What food should be
quarters of women participate in each of the other 94
cooked each day
three decisions. In all, just over half of women
participate in all four decisions. The most educated All 4 decisions 54
women and those from the wealthiest households are
most likely to participate in these decisions.

© 2013 Molly Snell, Courtesy of Photoshare

Page 14 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey

Domestic Violence
Experience of Physical Violence Violence during Pregnancy
Almost half (45%) women age 15-49 have ever Violence during pregnancy may threaten not only a
experienced physical violence since age 15. Twenty woman’s well-being but also her unborn child. Nine
percent of women have experienced physical percent of women age 15-49 who have ever been
violence in last 12 months. Divorced/separated/ pregnant experienced violence during pregnancy.
widowed women are most at risk: 64% of divorced Violence during pregnancy is especially high among
women report having ever experienced violence women in Nairobi (18%) and among divorced/
since age 15 compared to 32% of never-married separated/widowed women (21%).
women.
Spousal Violence
Among ever-married women, the most common More than one-third of ever-married women report
perpetrators of violence are current or former that they have experienced physical violence by
husbands and partners. Among the never-married their husband or partner. An additional 32% report
women, mothers/step-mothers and fathers/step- emotional violence, and 13% report sexual violence.
fathers are the most common perpetrators.
There are regional variations in reports of spousal
A similar proportion of men age 15-49 (44%) report violence. Half of women in Nyanza report spousal
that they have experienced violence since age 15, violence (physical or sexual) compared to only 10%
but fewer (12%) have experienced it in the last year. of women in North Eastern.
Men rarely report that wives or partners are the
perpetrators of the violence. Seven percent of married men report that they have
experienced physical violence by their wife/partner.
Experience of Sexual Violence An additional 4% report sexual violence, while 21%
Fourteen percent of women age 15-49 have ever of married men experience emotional abuse by their
experienced sexual violence; 8% have experienced spouse.
sexual violence in the past year. Fewer men (6%)
report having ever experienced sexual violence. Spousal Violence
Percent of ever-married women and men who have ever
experienced the following types of spousal violence
Women Men

47
37 39
32
21 24
13 9
7 4
Emotional Physical Sexual Physical Emotional,
and/or physical, or
sexual sexual

2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey Page 15

Female Genital Cutting (FGC)
Female Genital Cutting Female Genital Cutting among Girls
In Kenya, 21% of women age 15-49 have been Only 3% of girls who are currently under age 15 have
circumcised. Female genital cutting (also known as been circumcised, indicating a decline of the practice.
female circumcision) is very regional and closely Among daughters currently 10-14 years of age, 7%
associated with ethnic group. The large majority have been cut. Circumcision of daughters age 0-14
(greater than 75%) of Somali, Samburu, Kisii, and is most common among the Somali (36%) and Kisii
Massai women are circumcised, compared to less (16%) groups.
than 2% of women in Luo, Luhya, Turkana, and
While traditional circumcisers are still the most
Mijikenda/Swahili groups.
common practitioner among girls 0-14 (73%), medical
Among women age 15-49 who are circumcised, 43% professionals are more commonly performing
were circumcised between ages 10 and 14, 27% were circumcisions (20%) for this younger cohort.
cut at ages 5-9, and 27% were cut at age 15 or later.
Attitudes toward Female Genital Cutting
More than 80% of women were cut by a traditional Overall, only 5% of women and 6% of men age 15-49
circumciser; 15% were cut by a medical professional. in Kenya believe that FGC is required by religion.
However, there is tremendous variation by ethnic
Age at Female Genital Cutting
group. More than 80% of Somali women and men
Percent distribution of women age 15-49 who are cut
by age at circumcision believe that FGC is required by their religion.
Don’t know/
missing, 2% A slightly higher percentage of women and men
15+ years
<5 years believe that FGC is required by the community (8%
27% among women and 11% among men).
2%

Only 6% of women and 9% of men age 15-49 think

10-14 years 5-9 years FGC should continue. In addition to the regional and
43% 27%
ethnic patterns seen above, there are also patterns
by education and wealth. Women and men who are
uneducated and those from the poorest households
are most likely to say that FGC should continue.

Age at Circumcision among Women age 15-49

and Girls age 0-14
Percent of women and girls

20

15
Women age 15-49

10

Girls age 0-14

5

0
<1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Age (in years)

Page 16 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey

Non-Communicable Diseases and Other Health Issues
Tuberculosis Knowledge Prostate Cancer Screening
While almost all women and men have heard of Two-thirds of Kenyan men age 15-49 have heard of
tuberculosis (TB), knowledge of TB transmission is prostate cancer. Only 3% of men have ever had a
slightly lower: 84% of women and 87% of men know prostate cancer exam.
that TB is spread through the air by coughing.
Use of Tobacco and Alcohol
Hypertension and Diabetes Screening Seventeen percent of Kenyan men use tobacco. Most
Nine percent of women and 3% of men age 15-49 of these men (16%) are cigarette smokers. Only 1% of
have been told by a health worker that they have Kenyan women use tobacco.
high blood pressure. One percent of both women
Five percent of women and 29% of men age 15-49
and men have been told by a health worker that
report that they have had at least one alcoholic drink
they have diabetes. Both hypertension and diabetes
in the last month. Among women and men who
diagnoses increase with age and are more common in
drink alcohol, 6% of women and 11% of men drink
urban areas.
daily.
Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Screening
Health Insurance Coverage
One-quarter of Kenyan women age 15-49 have
About 8 in 10 Kenyan women and men do not have
performed a self-examination for breast cancer.
any insurance coverage. The national insurance
Only 14% have had a doctor or health care provider
scheme is the most common type of coverage, held
perform an exam for breast cancer. Women in urban
by 14% of women and 18% of men.
areas (particularly Nairobi) and those with secondary
or higher education and in the wealthiest households
are most likely to have had a breast cancer exam from
a health care provider.

Three-quarters of women age 15-49 have heard

of cervical cancer; 14% have had a cervical cancer
exam. Among those who have had a cervical cancer
exam, 62% had a pap smear, while 32% had a visual
inspection.

© 2011 Riders for Health/Tom Oldham , Courtesy of Photoshare

2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey Page 17

 Health Facility Births by County Basic Vaccination Coverage by County

2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey

Percentage of births in the 5 years before the Percentage of children age 12-23 months who received all basic
survey delivered in a health facility vaccinations (BCG, measles, and three doses each of DPT and polio vaccine,
excluding polio vaccine given at birth) at any time before the survey)

Page 18
 Stunting by County ITN ownership by County

Page 19
Percentage of children under age 5 who are Percentage of households with at least one
stunted, or too short for their age insecticide-treated net (ITN)

2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey

 Recent HIV Testing among Women
Percentage of women age 15-49 who have been tested for HIV in
the past 12 months and received results of the last test