Purchase of Contraceptive Methods in Kongo Central Province, the Democratic Republic of Congo: Data from the Lelo Family Planning Mini-Campaign Survey

摘要

Background and aim: Access to contraceptive methods remains low in the world in general and in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Data of these contraceptive methods in rural areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remain poorly known. The aim is to identify the socio-demographic characteristics of clients associated with purchasing contraceptives methods via different distribution system in Kongo Central province. style="font-family:Verdana;">Methods style="font-family:Verdana;"> style="font-family:Verdana;"> style="font-family:Verdana;">: Cross-sectional study including data from mini Lelo Family Planning contraceptive method distribution campaigns organized in 11 health zones of Kongo Central province, from January to March 2020 by community-based distributors (DBC), learner DBCs (DBCa), graduated DBCs (DBCg) and clinical providers (CP).>> style="font-family:""> style="font-family:Verdana;"> style="font-family:Verdana;"> style="font-family:Verdana;">Results style="font-family:Verdana;"> style="font-family:Verdana;"> style="font-family:Verdana;">: The median age of clients was 25 years old. A quarter of them were men and almost half of the clients were in a conjugal relationship and 46.5% were single. The majority (70.4%) had a high school education. The male condom was the most requested method during Lelo Family Planning, followed by implants. Natural methods remain the methods preferred by clients < 20 years and single;modern methods by those aged > 25 years. Among the hormonal methods, the implant was the most popular modern method, while the short and long-lasting injectable hormonal methods were more in demand by women < 25 years of age.>> style="font-family:""> style="font-family:Verdana;"> style="font-family:Verdana;"> style="font-family:Verdana;">Conclusion style="font-family:Verdana;"> style="font-family:Verdana;"> style="font-family:Verdana;">: Natural methods are still the most preferred among male clients despite the poor protection they provide. Modern methods have to be promoted for male’s partners to assure better couple protection especially in rural area where maternal mortality remain style="font-family:Verdana;"> style="font-family:Verdana;"> style="font-family:Verdana;">s style="font-family:Verdana;"> style="font-family:Verdana;"> style="font-family:Verdana;"> high.