New Evidence on Traditional Contraceptive Methods in DRC, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria

In sub-Saharan Africa, more than 8.5 million women use traditional methods such as rhythm (or periodic abstinence), withdrawal, and folkloric methods for contraception. The reasons for traditional method use are varied and complex. Understanding and clarifying these reasons is important for family planning policies and programmes, especially those that seek to support women wishing to delay or stop childbearing.

The traditional methods use study will develop and test new family planning (FP) measurement approaches by investigating how to account for and include traditional method users in measurement and programme approaches. Findings should inform revisions to questions around traditional method use in surveys, and inform the definition and measurement of “universal access” in accounting for FP preferences.

The Project is led by the African Institute for Development Policy.