In partnership with Track20, Countdown conducted a multi-country study in 11 countries in West and Central Africa. Results were presented at the Ouagadougou Partnership’s annual meeting (RAPO):

• Read the blog post about the RAPO 2025 event

Using contraceptive calendar data from the Demographic and Health Surveys, the analyses estimated both method-specific and overall discontinuation rates.

Study objectives were to:

• Measure and interpret contraceptive discontinuation patterns across diverse West and Central African contexts to identify which methods were most often discontinued and why.
• Examine how discontinuation patterns related to national method mix and program performance, highlighting opportunities to strengthen counseling, method choice,
  and quality of care.
• Invest in robust data systems and implementation research to monitor service quality, equity, method continuation, and user experience—ensuring evidence-based decision-making and accountability in resource allocation.
• Inform national and regional dialogue on sustainable FP financing, by linking evidence on discontinuation to policy actions that can optimize resource use, improve continuation rates, and reduce reliance on external funding.

Some key findings:

• Modern contraception use has increased over the past two decades.
• Rates of discontinuation over a 12-month period have remained high across the region, ranging from 23% (Burkina Faso) to 63% (Guinea.)
• Side effects were a leading cause of discontinuation, suggesting need for improved counseling quality.
• Shorter acting methods predominate in many countries, whereas adoption of longer acting methods could reduce discontinuation rates.

Access the final summary report

Posters Presented at RAPO 2025:

Burkina Faso ·  Côte d’Ivoire · Ghana · Guinea · Liberia ·  Mali ·  Niger ·  Nigeria · Senegal ·  Sierra Leone