A study to understand new developments in contraception

The Ministry of Health and Welfare on Tuesday launched a nationwide study to assess contraceptive prevalence among women of childbearing age; identify trends in contraceptive methods and usage patterns; explore factors influencing decision-making on the matter; understand the relationship between contraceptive use, maternal health and child well-being; and provide data for targeted reproductive health policies.

According to the latest data collected by the Mauritius Family Planning and Welfare Association (MFPWA), Family Action and Government Family Planning Clinics, and published by Statistics Mauritius on Monday, July 22, 56,332 Mauritian women are currently using a contraceptive method. This is an increase from 2022, when the number of users was 56,040. Among new users, the three most popular contraceptive methods are the three-month injection (24%), the birth control pill (21.2%) and tubal ligation (17.2%).

Vidya Charan, Director, MFPWA, stressed the importance of the study. “Through the research conducted by the Ministry of Health, we will have new data that will help to better plan and manage the program according to the needs of the population. Having data is very important because it allows us to provide tailored services. There is still a considerable number of people who do not use contraception correctly, so the needs of the population need to be assessed. A family planning awareness campaign is also underway. More and more couples are becoming aware of the importance of thinking carefully before starting a family. The increase in contraceptive use is positive because it helps prevent infections and promotes good reproductive health.”

Sex Education content creator Karola Zuel explains “We have a lot of early pregnancies and young mothers who find themselves jobless and dependent on their parents. Therefore, this study is a good initiative to assess the possibility of earlier age of contraception. However, in Mauritius we favour female contraception, whereas male contraception should be further encouraged to avoid long-term negative impacts on women’s health. Currently available contraceptive methods often lead to hormonal imbalances and other health problems..

She also stressed: “The birth control pill is widely used, but it can have long-term harmful effects, such as an increased risk of blood clots and cardiovascular problems. Starting birth control pills at age 15 may lead to serious health problems later in life. In addition, methods such as the three-month injection may cause a variety of side effects, from delayed menstruation to excessive bleeding. No one birth control method is suitable for all women, so a thorough individual assessment must be done before prescribing a contraceptive.”

She also insisted“It is noteworthy that the information provided to women about different contraceptive methods is often inadequate.” In her own experience at Planned Parenthood clinics, she found explanations to be brief and lacking in important details. “Better understanding of the available options and their possible impacts is essential. In addition, we should further encourage the use of male contraception to share responsibility and reduce negative impacts on women’s health.

“The rise in contraceptive use also suggests that many women are not ready to start a family due to financial considerations and the current economic situation. This study is therefore crucial to understand these dynamics and tailor our reproductive health policies accordingly. However, care must be taken to ensure that the proposed methods are tailored to the specific needs of each population group, including adolescent girls. It would be beneficial to conduct awareness campaigns and provide detailed information to help women make informed choices about their reproductive health.Carola Zuhr concluded.

The contraceptive prevalence study will be conducted at the following locations: