FHOK: enjoying massive public confidence
Established in 1962, Family Health Options of Kenya (FHOK) initiated the first model family planning clinic in the country.
We remain one of the leading providers of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.
A full member of International Planned Parenthood Federation, we provide integrated SRH and HIV/AIDS services to sex workers, male workers in 5 sugar belt regions, and young people, who are our primary target group.
Services provided include:
Clients are referred to other centres for CD4 count, viral load and drug resistance monitoring services.
Outreach programmes target sugar factories, agricultural farms in 6 towns and 6 districts in Mombasa, with peer educators conducting:
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lectures
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group discussions
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film shows
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individual talks
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theatre performances
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Currently, FHOK provides modern contraceptives to 3.3 per cent of Kenyan women.
On HIV/AIDS, we implement programmes with young people living positively with HIV and AIDS to enhance positive prevention; work with networks of HIV/AIDS support groups linking them to micro-financial institutions; and provide post-exposure prophylaxis to our staff.
This work has benefited many Kenyans. In 2006, FHOK served 85,000 clients, of which 8,000 were ranked poor, marginalized or socially excluded.
Intense advocacy on budgeting for SRH issues by FHOK, in collaboration with other organizations, resulted in the government setting aside money for reproductive health in the national budget. They are now in the process of developing a National Contraceptive Security Strategy.
We face challenges like the high maternal mortality rate of over 400; infant mortality rate of 77, low contraceptive prevalence of 37 per cent and restrictive abortion laws.
Service delivery points
25 branches and 8 clinics
Youth centres
5
Staff and volunteers
129 staff, 6,557 volunteers
Members of governing body
15, including 2 under 25 years of age
Members of Young Action Movement
143
Partnerships
Government: Ministry of Health
NGOs: Kenya AIDS NGOs Consortium, Population Services International, Engender health, The University of Nairobi, Family Health International and National AIDS Control Programme
Private sector: Chemelil Sugar Company, private medical practitioners
Donors: UNFPA, European Union, USAID, Rockefeller Foundation, Futures Group International, Plan International, IPPF Japan Trust Fund, the Netherlands Trust Fund, and the Kenya Family Health Programme, SIDA, JOICEP
Partnerships Networks: Kenya Association for the Promotion of Adolescent Health (KAPAH), Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, Kenya Association of Professional Counsellors