Guardian News: Huge unmet need for contraceptives in Uganda, by Joseph Malinga and Liz Ford:
Uganda has the highest unmet need for contraception in east Africa, but lacks the resources to address the problem
Sarah Arawo is aware of the problems of having more children. The mother of seven is HIV-positive and knows there is a risk of passing on the virus to a child (one of her children already has the virus), and because of the recent drought she and her husband, Francis Esweu, would struggle to feed any extra mouths.
Arawo, from Obiol village in Katine, north-east Uganda, wants to stop having children altogether, but she does not know how. She wants to find out more about family planning, but fears it could lead to conflict with her husband, whom she says is reluctant to use a condom when they have sex. At the same time, because of her condition, she fears she might experience complications if she takes another form of contraceptive.
Arawo is not alone. Limited access to family planning services, fears about side effects, opposition from partners and religious beliefs have led to Uganda having the highest unmet need for contraception in east Africa. . . .