Improving Modern Contraceptive Uptake among Married Adolescent Girls in Pastoralist Regions of Ethiopia: Family Circle Case Study

Seyoum Atlie, PSI/Ethiopia
Rahel Demissew, Population Services International Ethiopia
Mary Phillips, Population Services International
Meghan Cutherell, Population Services International (PSI)

In Ethiopia, the pastoralist regions of Afar and Somali have the lowest modern contraceptive prevalence rates in the country and, correspondingly high rates of early marriage and adolescent pregnancy. Addressing the unique enablers and barriers in this population is critical to designing targeted interventions to reverse these trends. This study assesses whether the introduction of a contraceptive delivery approach designed for pastoralist communities increased the number of contraceptive users aged 15-19 in Afar and Somali, as well as the rate at which program attendees accepted a method of contraception and the ability of the program to reach husbands of married adolescent girls ages 15-19. Data is draw from pre/post analysis of Ministry of Health DHIS2 service data and program monitoring data. Prior to the program launch, the average number of adolescent clients aged 15-19 receiving a method of contraception per site, per month was 0.7 (2.1 in Afar and 0.3 in Somali). This increased to an average reach per month per site of 2.9 clients (3.6 in Afar and 2.6 in Somali) following program launch, suggesting substantial increases in adolescent contraceptive use. Further research is needed to assess long-term impacts on birth rates and spacing between births.

Keywords: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination

See extended abstract.