This thesis focused on access to safe abortion services in Kibera informal settlements in Nairobi
City County. The main objective of the study was to explore the factors influencing access to
safe abortion services in Kibera informal settlements. The specific objectives were to investigate
the women’s understanding of the abortion provisions in the Kenyan constitution; to determine
the availability and accessibility of safe abortion services in Kibera informal settlements and to
examine how women’s attitudes influence their access to available abortion services in Kibera
informal settlements.
The study design was cross-sectional, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods of
data collection. The qualitative methods that were used included case studies, focused group
discussions and key informants interviews. Quantitative data was collected in a survey using a
semi-structured questionnaire. Non-probability sampling methods were used to draw the study
participants. A total of 50 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) were sampled to participate
in the study using convenience sampling technique. These women participated in the survey.
Three (3) FGDs were conducted with a sub-sample of the women who had participated in the
survey. The focus group participants were conveniently selected on the basis of who had time to
participate in the discussion. Key informants were selected purposively and case studies were
drawn using the snow-ball technique. Data were analyzed using different techniques. Qualitative
data was analyzed using content analysis whereby; data was read and re-read to identify the main
themes related to the study objectives. Narrative and verbatim quotations were used to explain
the trends exhaustively. Quantitative data was analyzed by SPSS version 21