“It’s just to protect myself”: Qualitative analysis of post-coital pregnancy prevention in DRC, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria

Ernestina Coast, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Joe Strong, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Funmilola OlaOlorun, University of Ibadan
Jamaica Corker, Independent Researcher
Amos Nsabwe, AFIDEP
Nurudeen Alhassan, African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP)
Naa Dodua Dodoo, African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP)

Understandings of contraception tend to focus on pre-coital methods; post-coital methods of pregnancy prevention are rarely considered beyond emergency contraceptive pills (ECP). We use framework analysis to analyse qualitative data (in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews) conducted with women and men in 2021-2023 in four African countries: DRC, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria. We consider how post-coital methods are presented, understood and discussed. A wide range of post-coital methods are reported, including: ECP, other pharmaceuticals used post-coitally (e.g.: deworming tablets, painkillers, antibiotics), and non-pharmaceuticals (e.g.: drinking cold water/alcohol/saltwater, ingesting herbal concoctions, douching, standing / squatting / grunting). A focus on post-coital methods expands theorising about pregnancy prevention to situate diverse post-coital products and practices in people’s reproductive lives, including in relation to non-/use of pre-coital contraceptive methods. Detailed understanding of what people do and use, and why, helps broaden understanding of the role of pregnancy prevention in people’s lives. It calls attention to improved measurement and reporting of the full range of pregnancy avoidance practices, to better inform program and policy approaches. Understanding post-coital behaviours and methods offers additional insights into the ways in which pregnancy prevention is understood and practised in people’s lives.

Keywords: Family Planning and Contraception, Qualitative data/methods/approaches

See extended abstract.