Africa: Dual Protection Will Reduce Risk of HIV Infections

10 October 2011
opinion

A research report published in the Lancet on October 4 2011 has provoked widespread fear throughout the world. This multi-centre study involving seven African countries: Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe, has shown increased risk of HIV/Aids infection to women who used hormonal contraceptives - particularly injectable methods like Depo Provera, as well as to male partners among discordant couples. The global concern is due to the fact that there are more than 140 million women worldwide using hormonal contraceptive methods.

In most African countries, Kenya included, the injectable contraceptive is the most widely preferred method. The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (2008-o9) showed that more than a half (22 per cent) of the 39 per cent of Kenyan married women using a modern contraceptive method relied on Depo Provera. Three points are worth emphasising.

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