📊 New Evidence from Countdown to 2030 | Family Planning in West Africa

As part of the Family Planning multicountry project under the Countdown to 2030 program, we are releasing a new evidence brief examining contraceptive discontinuation and its implications for sustainable FP financing in West Africa.

The findings are clear and concerning:
• 23–63% of women discontinue contraception within 12 months, depending on the country
• Discontinuation is highest where short-acting methods dominate the method mix
• Side effects, weak counseling, and stock-outs remain leading drivers
• Countries with low domestic FP financing are the most exposed as external funding declines

This evidence shows that contraceptive discontinuation is not only a service delivery challenge, but a system efficiency and financing issue. Each episode of discontinuation translates into wasted commodities, repeated service costs, and reduced returns on FP investments.

Policy message:
Strengthening continuation through quality counseling, greater access to LARCs, and increased domestic financing is essential to safeguard FP gains, improve cost-effectiveness, and protect women’s reproductive autonomy.

👉 Read the full Countdown to 2030 evidence brief:
https://www.countdown2030.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Contraceptive-Discontinuation-for-Sustainable-Family-Planning-Financing-in-West-Africa.pdf

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