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Abstract
Population forecasts predict that by 2050, about 150 million women (and couples) of child-bearing age will need contraception, and many of them are likely to find their needs unmet, due to problems of access, availability, and acceptability of the contraceptive options for one or both partners. Current contraceptive options are largely intended for use by women (pills, intrauterine devices [IUDs], injectables, and implants), with condoms and vasectomy being the only two options for men. In many countries, contraceptive use tends to be in the woman's domain, in part due to the nature of the contraceptive. This article discusses how women's health advocates have been able to raise important concerns regarding contraceptive technology and its development. It also reviews the range of new contraceptives that addresses issues of user autonomy and controllability, offers protection against pregnancy and STIs and HIV, and addresses male needs and concerns.
Notes
1. Reproductive preferences include the number of children as well as the timing of child-bearing.
2. Stan Becker and Elizabeth Costenbader did an empirical analysis of data collected from husbands and wives by the Demographic and Health Surveys in 23 countries (many in sub-Saharan Africa), and reported that in every country studied, husbands reported higher contraceptive use than their wives. This ranged from 2 per cent higher in Brazil to 150 per cent higher in Mali (Becker and Costenbader 2001).
3. Methods that can be used secretly by women include pills, the IUD, and to a lesser degree sub-dermal implants. Men can use vasectomy covertly and condoms with non-marital partners (Biddlecom and Fapohunda 1998).
4. Data from www.prb.org and www.prb.org/Datafinder/Topic/Rankings.aspx?sort=v&order=a&variable=98 (last accessed March 2008)
5. A 28-day cycle consists of 21 days when the ring is in place and one week when it is removed.
6. CARRA/LNG performed better than two different doses of LNG alone −0.75 mg or 1.5 mg of LNG to suppress ovulation.
7. In demographic terms, men in the 15–24 age group comprise approximately 25 per cent of men in many developing countries, and are a sizeable sub-population with different desires and potential behaviours.