Modeling contraception and pregnancy in Malawi: a Thanzi La Onse mathematical modeling study
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Malawi has high unmet need for contraception with a costed national plan to increase contraception use. Estimating how such investments might impact future population size in Malawi can help policymakers understand effects and value of policies to increase contraception uptake. We developed a new model of contraception and pregnancy using individual-level data capturing complexities of contraception initiation, switching, discontinuation, and failure by contraception method, accounting for differences by individual characteristics. We modeled contraception scale-up via a population campaign to increase initiation of contraception (Pop) and a postpartum family planning intervention (PPFP). We calibrated the model without new interventions to the UN World Population Prospects 2019 medium variant projection of births for Malawi. Without interventions Malawi's population passes 60 million in 2084; with Pop and PPFP interventions. it peaks below 35 million by 2100. We compare contraception coverage and costs, by method, with and without interventions, from 2023 to 2050. We estimate investments in contraception scale-up correspond to only 0.9 percent of total health expenditure per capita though could result in dramatic reductions of current pressures of very rapid population growth on health services, schools, land, and society, helping Malawi achieve national and global health and development goals.
Date Issued
2023-12
Date Acceptance
2023-11-06
Citation
Studies in Family Planning, 2023, 54 (4), pp.585-607
ISSN
0039-3665
Publisher
Wiley
Start Page
585
End Page
607
Journal / Book Title
Studies in Family Planning
Volume
54
Issue
4
Copyright Statement
© 2023 The Authors. Studies in Family Planning published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Population
Council.
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Council.
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38129327
Subjects
Contraception
Contraception Behavior
Family Planning Services
Female
Health Services
Humans
Malawi
Postpartum Period
Pregnancy
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
United States
Date Publish Online
2023-12-21