New Report Shows Major Increase in Use of Modern Contraception in Uganda

Over 1 Million Unintended Pregnancies and 228,000 Unsafe Abortions Prevented since July 2017

KIGALI, Rwanda, 12 November 2018,-/African Media Agency (AMA)/- A groundbreaking international report released today shows the use of modern methods of contraception has risen dramatically in Uganda, as the country pursues ambitious family planning goals for 2020. The report also shows modern contraception prevented over 1 million unintended pregnancies and 228,000 unsafe abortions between July 2017 and July 2018 in Uganda.

Beyond Uganda, the report shows more women and girls than ever before are making the voluntary choice to use contraception in the world’s 69 lowest-income countries.

The report entitled FP2020: Catalyzing Collaboration has been produced by Family Planning 2020 (FP2020) – a global partnership that supports the rights of women and girls to freely decide whether, when, and how many children they want to have. The report for the first time ever includes new data on government spending on family planning in Uganda. The report – available electronically [progress.familyplanning.org] shows:

In Uganda:

• Domestic government spending on family planning of $2.3 million (2016) – compared to $19 million in Kenya and $8.5 million in Nigeria – see page 23 of report at above link.
• In Uganda, among women aged 15-49, an estimated 27.5% or 2.8 million are using a modern method of contraception in 2018. This is 1,076,000 more than in 2012.
• In Uganda, the rate of modern contraceptive use among married women has increased to 35.1%
• As a result of modern contraceptive use between July 2017 and July 2018:

           ○ 1,036,000 unintended pregnancies were prevented
           ○ 228,000 unsafe abortions were averted
           ○ 2,500 maternal deaths were averted

• However, 32.6% of married women aged 15-49 have an unmet need for a modern method of contraception.
• This year, family planning policy priorities included

           ○ Reducing the unmet need for family planning among adolescents
           ○ Expanding the skilled workforce for family planning services

Globally:
● The number of women and girls using a modern method of contraception in the world’s 69 poorest countries had grown to more than 317 million, as of July 2018.
● This is 46 million more users than in 2012 (the year FP2020 was launched) – an increase that is around 30% greater than the historic trend.
● The use of modern contraceptives is growing the fastest in FP2020 countries in Africa: as of July 2018, 24% of women of reproductive age in these countries are using a modern method.

“Rights-based family planning is a catalyst that unlocks the potential of girls and women in Nigeria and around the world. Our goal is to ensure that each one is able to exercise her basic rights to self-determination, health, dignity, and equality. This is a core strategy for countries to improve the health and well-being of their citizens and economy today.”, said Beth Schlachter, Executive Director of Family Planning 2020

“Women represent half the global population, and there can be no healthy population globally or in Uganda without reproductive health care. As we continue to build the framework for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), we must ensure access to full, free, voluntary contraception is included for all women and girls. As countries build UHC strategies, rights-based family planning and SRHR services must be integrated within primary health care systems.” , she added.

Note to the Editors

Interviews about the report, and its significance in Uganda are available with the following individuals, who may be in attendance at the International Conference on Family Planning in Rwanda. If you would like an in interview, or have written questions, please reach out directly by email.

     Dr. Dinah Nakiganda, Acting Assistant Commissioner, RH, Ministry of Health, dinabusiku@hotmail.com
     Dr. Dorothy Balaba, Board Member, Uganda Family Planning Consortium, dbalaba@psiug.org
     Mr. Alain Sibenaler, Country Representative, UNFPA, sibenaler@unfpa.org
     Ms. Roselline Achola, NPO, MH/RHCS, Achola@unfpa.org
     Ms. Rhobbinah Ssempebwa, Family Health Deputy Team Leader, USAID, rssempebwa@usaid.gov

Fact sheets with more data specific to Uganda from the new report can be found here: http://amediaagency.com/app/uploads/2018/11/Copy-of-Uganda-Country-Brief.pdf

Photo images can be downloaded here:
http://amediaagency.com/app/uploads/2018/11/AA_Kenya_Sex-Education2_bw.tif
http://amediaagency.com/app/uploads/2018/11/AA_Nigeria_Faith-Based.tif
http://amediaagency.com/app/uploads/2018/11/AA_Tanzanisa_Contraceptive-Distribution_bw.tif
http://amediaagency.com/app/uploads/2018/11/AA_Uganda_-Family-FP-Counseling_bw.tif
http://amediaagency.com/app/uploads/2018/11/AA_Uganda_Contraceptive-Distribution_bw.tif
http://amediaagency.com/app/uploads/2018/11/FP_HIV.tif

If attribution is needed, please attribute to Family Planning 2020.

The report is being launched today at the International Conference on Family Planning. Please follow and join in the conversation at:

Twitter: @FP2020Global
Facebook: /Family Planning2020
YouTube: FP2020Global

More background on Uganda’s recent activities and progress relating to family planning can be found at http://www.familyplanning2020.org/uganda.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) On behalf of Family Planning 2020.