Bujumbura

Burundi / Bujumbura

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 2015, it was estimated that about 28% women in Burundi (who were married/in unions and between the ages of 15-49) were using any form of contraception, including traditional methods. This was lower than the Eastern African average (about 40% of women). The most common forms of contraception were contraceptive injectables (about 14% of women), IUDs (4% of women), and pills (3% of women). There were low rates of usage for condoms (about 1% of women). Less than 1% of women turned to female or male sterilization as their primary form of contraception. Traditional methods, such as withdrawal (about 2% of women) and the rhythm method (about 2% of women) were also not commonly used.

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. 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.

What to Get & Where to Get It

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.

Medications & Vaccines

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

• Kira Hospital: This private hospital is one of the better medical facilities in Burundi. However, be aware that is also one of the more expensive medical facilities in Burundi. They have an obstetrics/gynecology department, where you can get various procedures and exams. Address: Mukaza Avenue Nzero. Bujumbura - Burundi. Phone: ( +257) 22 24 50 00. Urgent Care: ( +257) 75 24 60 00. Email: info@kirahospital.org

Costs

• You can expect the private facilities to cost more than the public ones.

Pregnancy

Laws & Social Stigmas

The maternal mortality rate (MMR) is 712 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to 2015 data. This MMR is ranked 8th in the world, and is roughly comparable to Gambia.

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 Burundi, abortion is not legally available upon request. It is only permitted when the pregnancy threatens the life or the mental/physical health of the pregnant person.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• It is supposed to be very difficult to obtain the abortion pill directly in Burundi, according to Women on Waves. But it may be found under the brand name Cytotec.
• You may be able to get the abortion pill via mail from Women on Waves. Check out this link for more details.

Advocacy & Counseling

List of Additional Resources

• Ministry of Health
• Association Burundaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial: This organization is an affiliate of the Internatioanl Planned Parenthood Foundation. "Set up in 1991, the Association Burundaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial's (ABUBEF) original mission was to deliver family planning. Over 20 years later, the organization operates a large number of services across a broad range of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) needs, including prevention and management of HIV and AIDS, youth-friendly counselling and education, pre-marital counselling, and antenatal and post-natal care." Address: Commune Ntahangwa, Quartier Jabe, Avenue de l'Imprimerie. Phone: +257 22 23 29 36
• Family Planning 2020 - Burundi
• Mouvement pour les Libertés Individuelles: This is an organization that works on human rights issues, including LGBTQ rights, in Burundi. Goal: "To build African communities free from discrimination through research and advocacy to inform laws and policies, community support & engagement to enact social change and enabling effective partnerships at the domestic, national and regional levels." Email: info@moliburundi.org