Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive Use among Ethiopian Youth: Potential Demand and Strategies for Promotion

Introduction and Theoretical Focus: The family planning and reproductive health needs of young people in sub-Saharan Africa remains understudied and insufficiently understood. As growing numbers of girls age into adulthood, sustained efforts are needed to ensure that all receive access to the family planning counseling and services they want and need. Long acting reversible contraception (LARC) allows women to prevent pregnancy for many years at a time, offering young women in particular a valuable opportunity to postpone childbearing safely and effectively. However, use of LARC methods remains relatively low across the developing world, especially among young women. In Ethiopia, young women often begin sexual activity many years before marriage or childbearing is desired, highlighting the need for safe and effective ways of delaying pregnancy for relatively long periods of time. However, knowledge and use of LARC methods among young women remains relatively low in the country. For family planning programs and policies to meet the needs of young women, greater attention must be paid to the delivery of LARC services to these women.