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Kinshasa: Difference between revisions

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===Laws & Social Stigmas===
===Laws & Social Stigmas===


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> About 59% of women (ages 15-49) reported that their most recent pregnancy was unintended, according to 2015 data.<ref name=":0" />  


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 the DRC, the most common forms of contraception are the rhythm method (about 8% of women), withdrawal (5% of women), and condoms (4% of women). Other methods are 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.  
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===What to Get & Where to Get It===
===What to Get & Where to Get It===


* Private sector pharmacies are one of the most common ways to access contraception in Kinshasa.<ref name=":0" /> There are an estimated 5000 small pharmacies and informal drug stores (known as ligablos) in Kinshasa, according to a 2017 report.<ref name=":0" />
* [https://mariestopes.org/where-we-work/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/ Marie Stopes - The Democratic Republic of Congo]: "Marie Stopes DRC has begun its mission to expand access to quality family planning for Congolese women in the capital Kinshasa and the neighbouring province of Tshopo, with the aim to expand to further provinces as the programme grows. Services are initially focused on mobile outreach, with teams of midwives and nurses travelling by road and river to bring contraception to women in remote areas and urban slums. The programme also provides services through a network of MS Ladies, trained healthcare providers (usually nurses, midwives or community health workers) who work within the local community to increase access to high quality family planning services and advice." Address: Marie Stopes DRC, Consession Safricas, Rue Sergent Moke n° 14, Quartier, Socimat, Commune Ngaliema,, Kinshasa. Phone: +243 82 899 72 25
* [https://mariestopes.org/where-we-work/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/ Marie Stopes - The Democratic Republic of Congo]: "Marie Stopes DRC has begun its mission to expand access to quality family planning for Congolese women in the capital Kinshasa and the neighbouring province of Tshopo, with the aim to expand to further provinces as the programme grows. Services are initially focused on mobile outreach, with teams of midwives and nurses travelling by road and river to bring contraception to women in remote areas and urban slums. The programme also provides services through a network of MS Ladies, trained healthcare providers (usually nurses, midwives or community health workers) who work within the local community to increase access to high quality family planning services and advice." Address: Marie Stopes DRC, Consession Safricas, Rue Sergent Moke n° 14, Quartier, Socimat, Commune Ngaliema,, Kinshasa. Phone: +243 82 899 72 25
* [https://www.dktinternational.org/country-programs/democratic-republic-of-congo/ DKT International - The Democratic Republic of Congo]: They distribute condoms and other forms of contraception, train health care providers, and conduct outreach in clinics. Call +243 971 014 205. Email: info@dkt-rdc.org.
* [https://www.dktinternational.org/country-programs/democratic-republic-of-congo/ DKT International - The Democratic Republic of Congo]: They distribute condoms and other forms of contraception, train health care providers, and conduct outreach in clinics. Call +243 971 014 205. Email: info@dkt-rdc.org.
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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 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" />  
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 name=":1">[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" /> Emergency contraception is not fully integrated into family planning programs, where it is only recommended in cases of rape, incest, or issues of mental incapacity. There is also low awareness of emergency contraception among the local population, with about 22.6% of all women (ages 15-49) ever having heard of the method, according to a 2014 report. There is also limited distribution of emergency contraception in pharmacies, and some pharmacies experience stock-outs.<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>
The National Strategic Plan for Family Planning (2014-2020) did not include emergency contraception.<ref name=":1" />


===What to Get & Where to Get It===
===What to Get & Where to Get It===


* Emergency contraceptive pills (also known as morning after pills) can be purchased at pharmacies, health centers, and hospitals.
* Emergency contraceptive pills (also known as morning after pills) can be purchased at pharmacies, health centers, public sector clinics, hospitals, and organizations associated with the International Planned Parenthood Federation.<ref name=":1" />
* Some of the emergency contraceptive brands you can expect to find are Aleze EC, G-Nancy, Levonorgestrel Richter, NorLevo 1.5mg, Pilule S, Planfam, Revoke 1.5, Revoke 72, Secufem.<ref name=":1" />
* It is important to note that some brands sold in the DRC have been approved by stringent regulatory authorities, like the WHO, FDA, or European Medicines Agency, but not all of them have. If you want to be on the safe side, you can look up a medication before purchasing it to ensure it has been approved by a large regulatory agency.<ref name=":1" />


===Costs===
===Costs===
* In Kinshasa, the median price for LNG emergency contraception was $1.21 in the public sector and $1.43 in the private sector, as of September 2016. The price was higher in Katanga at about $3.30 in the private and public sectors during the same time period.<ref name=":1" />


==Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs)==
==Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs)==
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===Laws & Social Stigmas===
===Laws & Social Stigmas===
There are an estimated 3,000-3,500 users of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) in the DRC (as of 2021).<ref>https://www.prepwatch.org/country/democratic-republic-congo/</ref>


===What to Get & Where to Get It===
===What to Get & Where to Get It===
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===Laws & Social Stigmas===
===Laws & Social Stigmas===
In Kinshasa, the menstrual options vary considerably, depending on the person's wealth and independence. The main types of menstrual products used by women in Kinshasa are sanitary pads (84.2% of women), other materials such as tampons, toilet paper, foam, natural materials (22.3% of women), cloth (7.7% of women), and cotton wool (2.3% of women, according to 2017 data.<ref name=":2">https://www.pmadata.org/sites/default/files/data_product_results/PMA2020-DRC-Kinshasa-R1-MHM-Brief-EN.pdf</ref> About 18% of women reported washing and reusing their menstrual products and 92% said their reused products were dry when they used them.<ref name=":2" />
A large percentage of women in Kinshasa (57%, according to a 2021 study) reported a lack of privacy to deal with their menstrual hygiene.<ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7967348/</ref> The main locations that women in Kinshasa use for menstrual hygiene are their sleeping areas (66% of women), the main sanitation facility in their homes (22.3% of women), other sanitation facilities in their homes (5.3% of women), sanitation facilities at school, work, or public facilities (5%), and either a backyard or no facility at all (1.8% of women), according to 2017 data.<ref name=":2" />


===What to Get & Where to Get It===
===What to Get & Where to Get It===

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