Concurrent Contraceptive Use in Sub-Saharan Africa: Typology, Prevalence, and Motivation

Maame Peterson, African Institute for Development Policy

This mixed methods study explores typologies, profiles, and motivations of women who concurrently use multiple contraceptive methods to prevent pregnancy. Analysing primary data from 13,641 women aged 15-49 in the DRC, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria, including 337 in-depth interviews, it identifies three typologies: traditional-traditional, traditional-modern, and modern-modern. Findings reveal that concurrency is most prevalent in the DRC (45%) and least in Kenya (14%), with a preference for combining traditional and modern methods. Women using both express a strong desire to prevent pregnancy, often employing methods like "counting days" (rhythm) alongside condoms. Understanding these motivations is crucial for effective family planning programming.