New report shows steady growth in demand for modern contraceptives
About 371 million women of reproductive age in low- and lower-middle-income countries are now using modern methods of family planning 87 million more than just a decade ago a new report has revealed.
Dubbed FP2030’s 2022 Measurement Report, the report also shows that 62 million women out of the 371 million are from low and middle-income countries in Africa.
“Today, one in three women of reproductive age in those countries are choosing to use modern contraception,” revealed Dr Samukeliso Dube, Executive Director of FP2030.
According to the report, while contraceptive prevalence has increased steadily across all low- and lower-middle-income countries, in 14 of them the number of contraceptive users has doubled. The sharpest growth has been in sub-Saharan Africa.
The report also shows that despite the unprecedented strain Covid-19 placed on national health systems and global supply chains, and throughout restrictive lockdowns, record numbers of people around the world continued to seek out and use family planning products and services.
“The past 10 years have been full of obstacles for country health systems. Wars, political upheavals, natural disasters, deadly disease outbreaks, and lately the Covid-19 pandemic yet through it all, women everywhere have continued to seek out and use modern contraception in ever-growing numbers,” said Dr Dube.
According to the report, in the last year alone, women’s use of contraception in low- and lower-middle-income countries has averted more than 141 million unintended pregnancies, 29 million unsafe abortions, and almost 150,000 maternal deaths.
“The benefits of family planning are enormous and have a multiplier effect. Family planning is the key to reducing maternal deaths; it is the difference between finishing high school and entering into early marriage and parenthood; and it can unlock a woman’s economic survival and prosperity,” added Dr Dube.
Contraceptive use among married and unmarried sexually active women aged 15-24 is generally higher in East and Southern Africa than in West Africa. However, unmet need is still high in both regions and for both populations. In most countries, more than one in five sexually active young women (aged 15-24) have an unmet need for contraception.
“This report shows us that despite progress in recent years, there is still much work to be done when it comes to meeting the needs of women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa. If this rising demand is not met by high-quality services, consistent contraceptive supplies, and supportive policies and financing, it will be a missed opportunity for millions of women and our collective futures,” said Jason Bremner, FP2030 Senior Director of Data and Measurement
On method use, women’s marital status was found to influence method use. Young married women aged 15-24 were found to rely on short-acting methods such as injections and pills and obtain these from government facilities, while most unmarried sexually active women aged 15 to 24 rely on condoms and obtain these from private health sources.
“Today, implants are the most used method in 10 countries and the second most common method in another 14. This represents a stark contrast with method mix a decade ago, when implants were not as widely available,” reads part of the report.
On funding, the report shows that donor government funding for family planning is not keeping up with the growing demand for modern contraception.
While bilateral donor funding totaled approximately USD$1.4 billion (Sh177 billion) in 2021, this was essentially flat compared to 2020 and substantially lower than the peak achieved in 2019, which wasUSD$1.52 billion (Sh192 billion).
Given current financial instability and inflationary trends around the world, there could be further funding cuts in the future.
