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Kinshasa: Difference between revisions
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Generally speaking, contraceptives are used by some women in the DRC, but many do not use them. The country has the second lowest modern contraceptive usage rate in sub-Saharan Africa (about 8% of women of reproductive age) and the second highest fertility rate (6.6 children per women), according to a 2017 report.<ref name="drc_ecawareness">[https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1363/43e4417#metadata_info_tab_contents Awareness and Perceptions of Emergency Contraceptive Pills Among Women in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo]</ref> | Generally speaking, contraceptives are used by some women in the DRC, but many do not use them. The country has the second lowest modern contraceptive usage rate in sub-Saharan Africa (about 8% of women of reproductive age) and the second highest fertility rate (6.6 children per women), according to a 2017 report.<ref name="drc_ecawareness">[https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1363/43e4417#metadata_info_tab_contents Awareness and Perceptions of Emergency Contraceptive Pills Among Women in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo]</ref> | ||
In the DRC, the most common forms of contraception were the rhythm method (about 8% of women), withdrawal (5% of women), and condoms (4% of women). Other methods were not commonly used, such as injectables (about 1% of women), implants (less than 1% of women), female sterilization (less than 1% of women), pills (less than 1% of women), and the vaginal barrier method (less than 1% of women).<ref name="unreport_contraceptives2015">[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use Worldwide 2015]</ref> In Kinshasa, the most common methods are condoms, pills, and injectables, which were used by 63% of married women and and 83% of unmarried women who use modern contraceptive methods (2015 data).<ref name=":0">https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010782417303943</ref> | |||
In 2015, it was estimated that about 23% of women in the DRC (who were married/in unions and between the ages of 15-49) were using any form of contraception, including traditional methods. This was comparable to the Central African average (about 23% of women). Furthermore, it was estimated that about 27% had unmet family planning needs, which was slightly higher than the Central African average (26% of women). However, it should be understood that modern contraceptive methods are not very popular, with only 9% of women using modern methods, on average. | In 2015, it was estimated that about 23% of women in the DRC (who were married/in unions and between the ages of 15-49) were using any form of contraception, including traditional methods. This was comparable to the Central African average (about 23% of women). Furthermore, it was estimated that about 27% had unmet family planning needs, which was slightly higher than the Central African average (26% of women). However, it should be understood that modern contraceptive methods are not very popular, with only 9% of women using modern methods, on average. | ||
For many women in the DRC, the biggest hurdle regarding contraceptive use isn't access. Many women, including in rural areas, have access to clinics, which provide information and services. However, there are religious, social, and economic reasons why women may not opt for modern contraceptives. About half the population is Roman Catholic (50%).<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cg.html CIA World Factbook: DRC]</ref> The Catholic Church promotes large families and opposes modern contraceptives. For this reason, women typically rely on natural and traditional methods, such as the rhythm method. Furthermore, it has been reported that some women opt to forego contraception and have larger families, as they worry that not all of their children will survive, due to the ongoing conflict in the country.<ref>[https://globalpressjournal.com/africa/democratic-republic-of-congo/faith-family-planning-odds-catholic-families-drc/ Faith and Family Planning At Odds for Catholic Families in DRC]</ref> Finally, traditional values often rank women with many children as possessing higher social and economic standing.<ref name="drc_ecawareness" /> | For many women in the DRC, the biggest hurdle regarding contraceptive use isn't access. Many women, including in rural areas, have access to clinics, which provide information and services. However, there are religious, social, and economic reasons why women may not opt for modern contraceptives. About half the population is Roman Catholic (50%).<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cg.html CIA World Factbook: DRC]</ref> The Catholic Church promotes large families and opposes modern contraceptives. For this reason, women typically rely on natural and traditional methods, such as the rhythm method. Furthermore, it has been reported that some women opt to forego contraception and have larger families, as they worry that not all of their children will survive, due to the ongoing conflict in the country.<ref>[https://globalpressjournal.com/africa/democratic-republic-of-congo/faith-family-planning-odds-catholic-families-drc/ Faith and Family Planning At Odds for Catholic Families in DRC]</ref> Finally, traditional values often rank women with many children as possessing higher social and economic standing.<ref name="drc_ecawareness" /> | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
Emergency contraceptive pills (also known as morning after pills) are available in the DRC. The law states that they are available by prescription only,<ref>[https://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/congo-democratic-republic-kinshasa/ Congo, Democratic Republic (Kinshasa)]</ref> but it appears that it can be purchased without a prescription (based on testimony in reports).<ref name="drc_ecawareness" /> | Emergency contraceptive pills (also known as morning after pills) are available in the DRC. The law states that they are available by prescription only,<ref>[https://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/congo-democratic-republic-kinshasa/ Congo, Democratic Republic (Kinshasa)]</ref> but it appears that it can be purchased without a prescription (based on testimony in reports).<ref name="drc_ecawareness" /> Emergency contraceptive pills are not commonly used, with only about 1.9% of married women and 4.3% of unmarried women ever using it, according to a 2015 study.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
In 2018, a study found that about two-thirds of pharmacists in Kinshasa were knowledgable about the required timeframe, dosage, and side effects of emergency contraception. About 90% were found to be helpful for people who were new to emergency contraception and had basic questions. About 20% provided incorrect information related to the proper timeframe for taking emergency contraception, and about 4% gave incorrect information about its long-term side effects. About 22% of the pharmacists had issues with stock-outs of emergency contraception. Generally speaking, the study found that private pharmacies typically had adequate knowledge among staff members for dispensing emergency contraception.<ref>https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28803883/</ref> | In 2018, a study found that about two-thirds of pharmacists in Kinshasa were knowledgable about the required timeframe, dosage, and side effects of emergency contraception. About 90% were found to be helpful for people who were new to emergency contraception and had basic questions. About 20% provided incorrect information related to the proper timeframe for taking emergency contraception, and about 4% gave incorrect information about its long-term side effects. About 22% of the pharmacists had issues with stock-outs of emergency contraception. Generally speaking, the study found that private pharmacies typically had adequate knowledge among staff members for dispensing emergency contraception.<ref>https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28803883/</ref> | ||