title: Contraception coverage and methods used among women in South Africa: A national household survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Globally, family planning services are being strengthened and the range of contraceptive choices expanded. Data on contraceptive coverage and service gaps could help to shape these initiatives.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess contraception coverage in South Africa (SA) and identify underserved populations and aspects of programming that require strengthening.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from a 2012 SA household survey assessed contraception coverage among 6 296 women aged 15 - 49 years and identified underserved populations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two-thirds had an unintended pregnancy in the past 5 years, a quarter of which were contraceptive failures. Most knew of injectable (92.0%) and oral contraception (89.9%), but fewer of intrauterine devices (56.1%) and emergency contraception (47.3%). Contraceptive prevalence was 49.1%, and 41.8% women used modern non-barrier methods. About half had ever used injectable contraception. Contraception was lower in black Africans and younger women, who used a limited range of methods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Contraception coverage is higher than many previous estimates. Rates of unintended pregnancy, contraceptive failure and knowledge gaps, however, demonstrate high levels of unmet need, especially among black Africans and young women.
authors.affiliation: Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. mchersich@wrhi.ac.za.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Chersich
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wabiri
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Risher
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Shisana
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Celentano
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rehle
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rees
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D003710:Demography; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires