June 2005 — Throughout Africa, the popularity of depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (commonly known as DMPA or Depo Provera) has increased dramatically in recent years. From its negligible availability 10 years ago, DMPA now dominates the method mix in dozens of countries worldwide, including Uganda. Given increases in both the contraceptive prevalence rates and population, the overall demand for DMPA commodities and services in Uganda surpasses even the rapid increase in its share of the method mix.
Community-based provision of DMPA has been successfully used in other parts of the world to help meet the demand. FHI 360, with partners Save the Children/USA, Uganda’s Ministry of Health, and Nakasongola District’s Local Government, has undertaken a major research project to determine the safety and feasibility of using this strategy in Africa.