Approximately 214 million women of reproductive age lack adequate access to contraception. This research examined trends in stockouts, method availability, and consumption of specific contraceptive methods in urban areas of four sub-Saharan African countries (Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and Nigeria) and India. Using data from the Performance Monitoring for Action Agile Project, the study found that the vast majority of service delivery points had at least one type of modern contraceptive method in stock. Stockout frequency varied by method and sector and was more dynamic than previously thought. While long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) had limited availability, they consistently accounted for a larger portion of couple-years of protection. The study highlights the importance of engaging the private sector to achieve family planning goals.

Pierre Muhoza, Alain K. Koffi, Philip Anglewicz, Peter Gichangi, Georges Guiella, Funmilola Ola Olorun, Elizabeth Omoluabi, P R Sodani, Mary Thiongo, Pierre Akilimali, Amy Tsui, Scott Radloff