The Gauteng Department of Health has expressed concern over the low uptake of contraceptives among women of reproductive age, citing it as a significant contributor 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. Departmental spokesperson Steve Mabona stated that the trend is also reflected in Gauteng, where only 32.45% of eligible women accessed contraceptive services during the first quarter of the 2026 and 2027 financial year, against a target of 43%.
Contraceptive services are freely available at all levels of public healthcare in Gauteng, including clinics, community health centres, hospitals, and mobile health services. Mabona encouraged women and girls of reproductive age to make use of contraceptive services to prevent unintended pregnancies and improve their overall reproductive health outcomes. The department offers a wide range of safe, effective, and free contraceptive methods, including long-acting reversible contraceptives such as the subdermal Implanon, intrauterine contraceptive devices, and Copper T, as well as injectable contraceptives like Nur-Isterate and Depo-Provera.
Despite the availability of contraceptive services, misconceptions and fears surrounding contraceptive use remain barriers to uptake. Many women cite concerns about side effects and possible infertility as reasons for not using contraceptives. Mabona acknowledged that these concerns are often linked to inadequate knowledge and misinformation about the various safe and reversible contraceptive options available. He emphasized that the benefits of contraceptive use outweigh the potential side effects, empowering women and families to make informed reproductive choices.
The Gauteng Department of Health has service-level agreements with selected private healthcare providers to offer contraceptive services and share service data with the department. To further expand access, the department provides youth-friendly reproductive health services through Youth Zones at healthcare facilities. These dedicated services allow young people to access contraceptives, information, and support in a safe and confidential environment, including after-school hours.
Mabona noted that while contraceptives remain among the most effective ways to prevent unintended pregnancies, they do not protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Sexually active individuals are encouraged to use condoms consistently and correctly to prevent HIV transmission and reduce the spread of STIs. HIV prevention methods such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and lenacapavir are also available at public healthcare facilities.
During the 2025 and 2026 financial year, the department provided contraceptive services to 2,915,945 women of reproductive age, demonstrating the continued availability and accessibility of family planning services across the province. The department is using World Contraception Day on September 25 to raise awareness about contraception, debunk myths and misconceptions, and empower communities, particularly young people, to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.
The low uptake of contraceptives contributes significantly to the number of women requiring Choice on Termination of Pregnancy services, which are freely available across public healthcare facilities in the province. Mabona encouraged women to take advantage of the available services, emphasizing that access to contraception improves maternal and child health outcomes and reduces the risks associated with unintended pregnancies.
Key points
- Low contraceptive uptake among Gauteng women contributes to unintended pregnancies.
- Contraceptive services are freely available at all levels of public healthcare in Gauteng.
- Misconceptions and fears surrounding contraceptive use remain barriers to uptake.
