Report calls for developing new methods of contraception for women in developing countries

Women in the developing world need new methods of contraception that meet their needs and lifestyles, according to a Guttmacher Institute report that urges more investment in contraceptive technology, Agence France-Presse reports.

The study focused on sub-Saharan Africa, south central Asia and southeast Asia, which "are home to 69 percent of women in the developing world who have an unmet need for a modern method." The report said new forms of contraception are needed in the three regions "where there are 49 million unintended pregnancies every year resulting in 21 million abortions" (5/12).

"The reasons women most frequently give for not using a method are concerns about health risks or side effects (23%); infrequent sex (21%); being postpartum or breast-feeding (17%); and opposition from their partners (10%)," according to a press release from the Guttmacher Institute. "The findings shed light on the types of methods that could have the greatest impact on increasing contraceptive use: Developing new contraceptive methods that have negligible side effects, are appropriate for breast-feeding women and could be used on demand has the potential to greatly reduce unmet need for contraception" (5/11).