Report | 17 May 2019 | Download PDF
Good sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being in all matters relating to reproduction for both men and women, including adolescents.
Maintaining good SRH means people need access to accurate information and safe, effective, affordable and acceptable contraception methods of their choice. They must be informed and empowered to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and, when necessary, receive timely and affordable treatment. If and when they decide to have children, women must have access to services that ensure they have a fit pregnancy, safe delivery and healthy baby.
Every individual has the right to make their own choices about their SRH and family planning.
This report from Health Action International (HAI) presents the results of surveys of the price, availability and affordability of sexual and reproductive health commodities (SRHC) in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. The surveys were carried out by HAI and in-country partners (Medicines Transparency Alliance [MeTA] Kenya, MeTA Uganda, MeTA Zambia, and UMATI Tanzania) during July and August 2018.
The report answers the following questions:
- What is the average availability of essential SRHC in health facilities in the countries of study?
- What price do people pay for SRH medicines?
- Do the prices and availability medicines vary between urban and rural health facilities and across the public, private and mission sectors?
- How affordable are medicines for ordinary people?
- What do health providers believe are the main barriers to accessing medicines?
- What are the similarities and differences between the four countries?
The report highlights obstacles to SRHC access and highlights possible areas for intervention to improve the current situation at regional as well as national levels, and monitor changes in access over time in the countries of study.