Traditional contraceptive methods account for highest failure rates

Traditional contraception methods such as withdrawal or calendar rhythm account for the highest contraceptive failure rate in the developing world, according to a report, Contraceptive Failure Rates in the Developing World: An Analysis of Demographic and Health Survey Data in 43 Countries by Guttmacher Institute, UK.

Using Demographic and Health Surveys from 43 countries, the report estimated failure rates among sexually active women of reproductive age. It was further found that longer-acting contraceptive methods (IUDs, implants or injectables) have the lowest failure rate, followed by shorter-acting methods (oral contraceptive pills or male condoms).

 "Of the 74 million unintended pregnancies each year in the developing world, a significant proportion—30%—are due to contraceptive failure among women using traditional or modern methods," said Chelsea Polis, senior research scientist at the Guttmacher Institute and the study's lead author.

Similarly, in Uganda, 4% of the women are using traditional methods, albeit with a very high failure rate, certainly making up part of the 297,000 unintended pregnancies annually, according to Dr Jackson Chekweko, the Executive Director of Reproductive Health Uganda.

Furthermore, in considering contraceptive failure rates among the populations, the study found that women younger than 25 generally have higher contraceptive failure rates than their older counterparts.

Consequently, the authors of the report suggested that family planning programs and providers need to expand the availability of youth-friendly counseling and services to ensure that young women can successfully use their chosen contraceptive method.

Similarly, in Uganda, Chekweko notes, women under 25, specifically 15 to 19 years, have higher contraceptive failure rates.

"Globally, Uganda is 3^rd after Niger and Yemen in terms of teenage pregnancies," says Chekweko.

In 2014, Uganda's Ministry of Health launched the Uganda Family Planning Costed Implementation Plan, 2015-2020. Among the priorities was to increase age-appropriate information, access, and use of family planning amongst young people, ages 10-24 years.