By Mapaballo Borotho
- The Gauteng Department of Health says low contraceptive uptake remains a concern among women of reproductive age.
- The department says this is contributing to unintended pregnancies and a high need for Choice on Termination of Pregnancy services.
- Women are being encouraged to explore the range of free contraceptive options available at public healthcare facilities.
The Gauteng Department of Health says there is growing concern over the continued low uptake of contraceptives among women of reproductive age.
The department says low contraceptive use is one of the main factors contributing to unintended pregnancies in the province.
According to available data, an estimated 75% of unintended pregnancies in South Africa are linked to low contraceptive use.
“This trend continues to be reflected in Gauteng, where only 32.45% of eligible women accessed contraceptive services during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, against a target of 43%,” said the Health spokesperson in the province, Steve Mabona.
Mabona says the low uptake of contraceptive methods contributes significantly to the number of women requiring Choice on Termination of Pregnancy services.
“While these services remain an important component of reproductive healthcare, the Department is concerned that many women continue to miss opportunities to prevent unintended pregnancies despite the availability of a wide range of safe, effective and free contraceptive methods at public healthcare facilities”.
The department is therefore urging women of reproductive age to consider the contraceptive options available to them as part of their reproductive healthcare and to help prevent unintended pregnancies.
Available contraceptive options include long-acting reversible contraceptives such as the Subdermal Implanon, Intra-Uterine Contraceptive Devices and Copper T.
Other options include injectable contraceptives such as Nur-Isterate and Depo-Provera, as well as oral contraceptives including Triphasil, Microval and Nordette.
The department says these services are available at public healthcare facilities across the province.
READ NEXT:
