Contraceptive Practice in Sub-Saharan Africa

Forty eight of the African continent's 54 sovereign states are located in the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region, with the government of each defining and shaping its own health services and delivery systems. This paper reviews the trends and patterns of contraceptive practice in the region. Using survey data available from the Demographic and Health Surveys and Performance Monitoring and Accountability 2020, the study finds modern contraceptive practice to be on the rise overall but with much geographic variation. The contraceptive methods most frequently used are injectables and, more recently, implants. Higher levels of use are observed among unmarried sexually active than married females. Although use is rising, contraceptive discontinuation rates are also high. Recent program initiatives discussed include expanding long-acting contraceptive options, promoting and delivering contraceptive methods in the postpartum period, and relying on community health workers for contraceptive outreach and service delivery. SSA's family planning situation remains challenged by weak health systems which must address competing priorities to manage disease prevention as well as primary health care. Increasing investments in family planning delivery in many SSA countries, however, augur for continued rapid uptake of modern contraception, possibly matching if not outpacing the record of other regions.