Maputo: Difference between revisions

In Mozambique, 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.<ref>[http://ocsotc.org/wp-content/uploads/worldmap/worldmap.html Global Oral Contraception Availability]</ref> <ref>[http://freethepill.org/where-on-earth/ Free the Pill: Where on Earth?]</ref> 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 Mozambique, emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) are available over-the-counter at pharmacies. You can also find them at public sector clinics and social marketing programs. No prescription is required.<ref name="ecstatus_mozambique">[https://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/mozambique/ EC Status and Availability - Mozambique]</ref>

Generally speaking, emergency contraceptive pills are accessible in pharmacies and clinics in Mozambique, particularly in larger cities. However, the knowledge of emergency contraceptives (i.e. what they are, how to use them, etc) may be low among the general populace. In 2014, it was estimated that about 15% of women (of reproductive age) in Mozambique had knowledge of emergency contraceptive options, and 0.9% had ever used emergency contraception. This showed growth in knowledge from 2011, when an estimated 10% of women (of reproductive age) in had knowledge of emergency contraceptive options, but it should be emphasized that education and knowledge of emergency contraceptive is still a concern. In 2015, a study conducted by DKT International found that, while emergency contraceptive pills were available in many pharmacies (i.e. 31 out of the 34 of the pharmacies that they surveyed carried the pill), many pharmacists or pharmacy employees held little knowledge of emergency contraception (such as the correct way to use it).<ref name ="ecstatus_mozambique" />

* You can find emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) available at many venues, including pharmacies, clinics and hospitals, social marketing programs, sexual violence programs, family planning programs, and SRH youth-friendly services. They are sold over-the-counter (no prescription required). Some brands you may find are Escinor 1.5, Postinor-2, Pregnon, and SEKURE.<ref name ="ecstatus_mozambique" />

 

* You can get the emergency contraceptive pill (Postinor-2) in public health facilities, free of charge.<ref name ="ecstatus_mozambique" />

 

* If you purchase emergency contraceptive pills at a private clinic or pharmacy, you can expect to pay around $1.20 - $3, as of 2015.<ref name ="ecstatus_mozambique" />

In Mozambique, 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.<ref name="hivtravel_mozambique">[http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=127 MOZAMBIQUE - REGULATIONS ON ENTRY, STAY AND RESIDENCE FOR PLHIV]</ref>

* Tip from HIVTravel: "In Mozambique, treatment facilities for people with HIV/AIDS are limited to some private clinics in Maputo, the clinics "Sommerschield" and "Cruz Azul" for example. These clinics have the main combination therapies in stock and can import them from neighbouring South Africa. However, there is no appropriate laboratory equipment. People who live with HIV/AIDS should also be aware of their specific vulnerability caused by other infectious diseases that are common in Mozambique (like malaria, hepatitis, tuberculosis, cholera, meningitis, parasitosis etc.)."<ref name="hivtravel_mozambique" />

Since 2014, abortions have been legally available upon request in Mozambique. You can have an abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy for any reason. You can have an abortion within 16 weeks in case of rape.<ref>[https://www.womenonwaves.org/en/page/2777/mozambique Women on Waves - Mozambique]</ref> For more information, click [https://www.womenonwaves.org/en/page/5009/abortion-law-mozambique here].

* [https://www.familyplanning2020.org/mozambique Family Planning 2020 - Mozambique]: "Mozambique became a FP2020 commitment maker in 2012. Mozambique strives to increase the use of modern contraceptive methods by adolescents in secondary schools across the country." Address: Av. M�rtires de Mueda, No. 596. Tel: (+258) 21 492 064/5

* [http://africa.unwomen.org/en/where-we-are/eastern-and-southern-africa/mozambique UN Women - Mozambique]: Program goals include: "Women lead and participate in decision making at all levels; Women, especially the poorest and most excluded, are economically empowered and benefit from development; Women and girls live a life free from violence; To increase women’s leadership in peace, security and humanitarian response; National planning and budgeting processes promote stronger institutional accountability to gender equality commitments."