Ensuring Universal Access to Effective Family Planning and Contraception Methods
~~ Dr Wey George Danlami Consultant-Family Physician
Out of 1.9 billion women aged 15-49 globally, since 2021, 1.1 billion require family planning. Of these, 874 million are utilizing modern contraceptive methods, while 164 million have an unmet need for contraception.
Globally, the percentage of family planning needs satisfied by modern methods has stalled at around 77% from 2015 to 2022 but has improved from 52% to 58% in sub-Saharan Africa.
Condoms are the only contraceptive method that can prevent both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
The utilization of contraception upholds the human right of individuals to control the number and spacing of their children.
In 2022, the global prevalence of contraception was estimated at 65% overall, with modern methods being used by 58.7% of married or unionized women.
Overview
Various contraception methods are available, with suitability depending on factors such as overall health, age, sexual activity frequency, number of partners, desire for future children, and family medical history.
Access to preferred contraception methods for all individuals advances multiple human rights, including the right to life, liberty, freedom of choice, expression, work, and education, while delivering substantial health benefits.
Impact
Contraception usage reduces pregnancy-related health risks, notably for adolescent girls. Children born within a 2-year interval of an older sibling have a 60% higher risk of infant death compared to those born after a 3-year interval.
Apart from health benefits, contraception offers non-health benefits like enhanced education opportunities, empowerment for women, and supports sustainable population growth and economic development.
Barriers
Various reasons contribute to the slow increase in the satisfaction of family planning needs globally, including limited method options, restricted access, concerns about side effects, cultural or religious opposition, biases against certain methods, and gender-based barriers to services.
Contraceptive methods
Different contraception methods such as oral pills, implants, injections, patches, rings, intrauterine devices, condoms, sterilization, and fertility awareness methods vary in effectiveness, mechanism of action, and prevention of unintended pregnancies.
WHO response
Efforts are crucial to achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health services in line with the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This requires bolstered support for contraceptive services through effective policies and programs.
WHO is actively promoting contraception by developing evidence-based guidelines for safe delivery and ensuring human rights in contraceptive programs. They support countries in enhancing contraceptive policies, implement new technologies, and conduct research to expand access and strengthen contraceptive services.
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