Promoting and Prioritising Reproductive Health Commodities: Understanding the Emergency Contraception Value Chain in South Africa
), Priya Nanda(2), Pranitha Maharaj(3),
(1)
(2)
(3)
Corresponding Author
Abstract
Use of emergency contraception is low in South Africa despite high rates of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies. Existing studies have demonstrated that women access emergency contraception from commercial pharmacies rather than from public health facilities at no charge. Research has also demonstrated that awareness of emergency contraception is a key barrier to improving uptake, especially in the public health sector. This study investigates the low use of emergency contraception in South Africa and employs a qualitative value chain analysis to explore the role of market and regulatory structures in creating an enabling environment for the supply and promotion of emergency contraception. The results suggest that there are several ‘market imperfections’ and information barriers impacting on the effective supply of emergency contraception to women who are dependent on the public health sector for their health care. Balancing commercial interests with reproductive health needs, it is argued, may form a crucial part of the solution to the low uptake of emergency contraception in South Africa (Afr J Reprod Health 2010; 14[1]:9-20).
RĖSUMĖ
Promouvoir et identifier les priorites des produits de la sante de la reproduction: Comprendre la valeur de chaine de la contraception d’urgence en Afrique du sud. On n’emploie pas beaucoup de la contraception d’urgence en Afrique du sud malgré les taux élevés des grossesses non prévues et non voulues. Les études qui ont été déjà faites ont montré que les femmes ont accès à la contraception d’urgence dans les pharmacies commerciales plutôt que gratuitement dans les établissements de santé publique. La recherche a montré également que la conscience de la contraception d’urgence est un obstacle important qui empêche la fixation surtout dans le secteur de la santé publique. Cette étude examine l’emploi insuffisant de la contraception d’urgence en Afrique du sud et se sert d’une analyse de la chaîne de valeur qualitative pour explorer le rôle du marché et du structures réglementaires dans la création d’un milieu qui favorise l’approvisionnement et la promotion de la contraception d’urgence. Les résultats montrent qu’il y a beaucoup d’imperfections au niveau du marché ainsi que des obstacles à l’égard des informations qui influent sur l’approvisionnement efficace de la contraception d’urgence aux femmes qui dépendent du secteur de la santé publique pour leurs services médicaux. Les gens ont proposé que si l’on met les intérêts commerciaux et les besoins de la santé de la reproduction sur le même pied d’égalité, cela constituera une partie cruciale de la solution au problème du faible accès à la contraception d’urgence en Afrique du Sud (Afr J Reprod Health 2010; 14[1]:9-20).
KEYWORDS: Emergency contraception, Reproductive health, Contraception, Value chain
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