There is an unmet need affecting 47% of women in Africa who want modern contraception in order to prevent pregnancy. During the last few years, there has been an increase in the use of injectable contraceptives, such as Depo-Provera, across the continent specifically in Mali, Sierra Leone, Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda. Many African women rely on these types of shots because they are more easily concealable compared to other forms of contraception such as a daily birth control pill. Also, in some health clinics, these shots are the only method of contraception offered. Many women need secret protection due to men refusing condoms and the women wanting to avoid any social, physical, and mental consequences they may endure if they are found trying to keep away from pregnancy. A specialist in HIV at Britain’s Medical Research Council, Dr. Sheena McCormack, stated that African women’s, “husbands or partners, and their families, often want them to have children.” Along with the increase in the use of injections, there was an increase in fear as certain studies were released stating that these shots made women more susceptible to HIV infection. However, a ground-breaking study posted in The Lancet on June 13th determined that users of the injections are actually not more likely to develop HIV than women using other methods of contraception such as hormone implants or copper intrauterine devices. The World Health Organization announced it will further review this study to determine the safety rating of the injectable contraceptive.
