Antananarivo

Madagascar / Antananarivo

OVERVIEW

Contraception (Birth Control)

General Note: There are many types of contraceptives, also known as "birth control," including IUDs, oral contraceptives, patches, shots, and condoms, etc. If you would like to view a full list, click here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Madagascar, you can purchase condoms and birth control pills at pharmacies without a prescription. While you may technically need a prescription for birth control pills, this is not typically enforced, and birth control pills are available over-the-counter. However, for other forms of contraception, such as implants, injectables, and IUDs, you may need to directly visit a hospital or clinic to obtain them.

In 2015, it was estimated that about 46% of women in Madagascar (who were married/in unions and between the ages of 15-49) were using any form of contraception, including traditional methods. This was higher than the Eastern African average (about 40% of women). Furthermore, it was estimated that about 19% had unmet family planning needs, which was lower than the Eastern African average (about 24% of women). The most common modern forms of contraception were injectables (24% of women) and oral contraceptives/birth control pills (8% of women). All other modern forms had relatively small amounts of users, such as contraceptive implants (2% of women), condoms (1% of women), and IUDs (less than 1% of women). Some traditional methods were also practiced, such as the rhythm method (about 8% of women).

What to Get & Where to Get It

• While pharmacies are too cost prohibitive for most women in Madagascar, birth control is available clinics and NGO programs.
• Birth control implants (Implanon) and the birth control pills are available at Marie Stopes International.
• Marie Stopes Madagascar: "Our team in Madagascar currently delivers services through centres and public health centres, mobile outreach, a large network of private BlueStar doctors, and almost 150 Marie Stopes Ladies. Our outreach teams - consisting of a doctor, nurse, co-ordinator, and driver - travel through rural and hard-to-reach parts of the country offering long-acting and permanent contraceptive methods. In addition to the short-acting methods available at community and primary health centres, these outreach teams ensure that people have access to the full range of voluntary contraceptive information and services." Address: Marie Stopes Madagascar, IIP Lot 136a Avaradoha, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; Phone: 411 (free for Madagascar networks) / +261 034 90 177 50; Email: info@mariestopes.mg

Costs

• As of 2017, Implanon costs 3,000 AR. The birth control pill costs 3,000 AR for 3 months. Consultations cost around 1,000 AR.

Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)

Important Notes: Emergency contraception may prevent pregnancy for three days (72 hours) and sometimes five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. Take EC as soon as possible after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. If you don't have access to dedicated EC, oral contraceptives can be used as replacement EC, but remember the following: 1) Only some contraceptives work as EC 2) Different contraceptives require different dosages and time schedules to work as EC 3) You must only use the first 21 pills in 28-day packs and 4) They may be less effective than dedicated EC. For general information on emergency contraceptives, click here and here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Madagascar, emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) are available, but a prescription is required. We still need to confirm whether these laws are commonly followed by pharmacists (if you know, update this page). You can find emergency contraceptive pills at pharmacies or programs affiliated with the International Planned Parenthood Foundation. In 2008-09, it was estimated that about 10% of women (of reproductive age) in Madagascar had knowledge of emergency contraceptive options, and 0.5% of women (of reproductive age) in Madagascar had ever used emergency contraceptive pills have ever used emergency contraceptive pills.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• You can obtain emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) at pharmacies, clinics, and programs affiliated with the International Planned Parenthood Foundation, but you may need a prescription (we need to confirm this). Some brands you may find are NorLevo 1.5mg, Pill 72, Pregnon, and Revoke 72.
• Note: The longest-lasting EC is currently ellaOne. It lasts up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. Check to see if your country carries ellaOne. If your country doesn't carry ellaOne, copper IUDs may also prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected sex. If none of these options are available, and it's been over 3 days since you had unprotected sex, you can still take EC, which may work up to 5 days. Note that EC pills are not 100% effective and should be taken as soon as possible.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs)

Important Notes - Learn about PEP and PrEP: If you think that you've been recently exposed to HIV (i.e. within 72 hours), seek out PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis). It's a month-long treatment to prevent HIV infection after exposure, and it may be available in your city. Take PEP as soon as possible. For more information, click here. If you are at risk of HIV exposure, seek out PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis). It's a daily oral pill that can prevent HIV infection before exposure. To learn more about PrEP, click here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Madagascar, there are no known travel or residency restrictions for people with HIV/AIDS. This means that you can enter the country, regardless of your HIV status, and you should not be deported if you test positive for HIV while you are in the country.

Menstruation

Note: In addition to pads and tampons, you can also use menstrual cups and menstrual underwear for your period. To learn more about menstrual cups, click here. To learn more about menstrual underwear, click here.

Gynecological Exams

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Marie Stopes International - Madagascar: "For over 20 years Marie Stopes Madagascar has been providing family planning, maternal health, post-abortion care and HIV / STI healthcare services to hundreds of thousands of people across the country." Contact Details: Marie Stopes Madagascar, Lot II P bis 135, Avaradoha, BP 1351, Antananarivo, Madagascar. Telephone: + 261 20 224 1624, Email: info@mariestopes.mg.

Abortion

Important Note: There are two main types of abortions: medical (also known as the "abortion pill") and surgical (also known as "in-clinic"). For medical abortions, you take a pill to induce abortion. For surgical abortions, a procedure is performed to induce abortion. For general information about medical and surgical abortions, click here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Madagascar, abortion is generally prohibited. However, it is commonly interpreted that, when the pregnancy endangers the life of a pregnant person, abortion is permitted. This is not explicitly written into the law, but people interpret this to be the case.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Marie Stopes Madagascar: They will be able to provide more information on abortion laws and services. Address: IIP Lot 136a Avaradoha, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar. Phone: +261 020 22 403 04 / 020 22 416 24. Email: info@mariestopes.mg

List of Additional Resources

• Ministère de Santé Publique Madagascar
• Fianakaviana Sambatra - Madagascar Association: This is the program affiliated with International Planned Parenthood Foundation in Madagascar.
• Marie Stopes International - Madagascar: "Since 1992, Marie Stopes Madagascar has been working with national government and non-governmental partners to provide a full range of sexual and reproductive health services including contraception, maternal health, post-abortion care, and screening for sexually transmitted infections and HIV."
• Madagascar - Family Planning 2020
• PSA - Madagascar: "PSI Madagascar was founded in 1998 to help priority populations and those with low income gain access to essential health products, services, and information. Since then, its activities have expanded to include programs focused on child survival, malaria, reproductive health and HIV."
• Equaldex - Madagascar: Click here to learn about LGBTQ rights and laws in Madagascar.