Africa Contraceptive Drugs and Devices Market Size

Market Overview

The African contraceptive drugs and devices market is expected to register a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the healthcare industry into action, with a race to develop both therapeutic and preventive drugs. Exponentially increasing cases of the coronavirus worldwide are leading to the need for the development of novel treatments, with several clinical trials underway. Initially, the global COVID-19 outbreak and the lockdown scenario in various countries have imposed some challenges on the market, as hospitals and clinics were forced to suspend services to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The restrictions imposed by the government have significantly impacted the growth of the studied market during the initial period of the pandemic. As per the study published in August 2022 by the African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, the COVID-19 pandemic aggravated the risk of sub-Saharan African women to HIV infection because of a multitude of factors, including child marriages, teenage pregnancies, dropping out of school, increase in the incidence of sexual and gender-based violence and reduced access to preventive and treatment services for HIV and sexually transmitted infections. In addition, the market growth is stabilizing in the current scenario after COVID-19 as the worldwide restrictions have eased down and various services have been resumed.

Certain factors propelling the market growth are increasing incidences of sexually transmitted diseases, an increasing rate of unintended pregnancies, and rising government initiatives.

An unintended pregnancy occurs from not using contraception or inconsistent and incorrect use of contraceptive methods. The growth of contraceptive markets is necessary to avoid unwanted pregnancies and their complications, especially in teenagers. Teenage pregnancy is a big problem in Africa. For instance, as per the data published by the UNFPA in June 2022, in Southern Africa, 65% of pregnancies were unintended, and 36% ended in abortion. The predominant cause of unintended pregnancy is sexual activity without effective contraception through choice or coercion. In many cases, unintended pregnancy is linked to gender-based violence, including early sexual debut that is non-consensual and child marriage. An increase in unplanned pregnancies has helped in the growth of the market.

In addition, the rising prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases among the population is expected to increase the market growth. For instance, the WHO estimates, updated in July 2021, that sub-Saharan Africa bears approximately 40% of the global burden of STIs. Additionally, as per the study published in April 2021, by BMC Public Health, STI prevalence was 7.7% and did not differ by HIV status. Prevalence differed by syndrome (3.5% vaginal discharge, 1.5% genital ulcer, 2.1% lower abdominal pain, 0.2% inguinal bubo). Thus, the rising burden of sexually transmitted diseases is expected to increase the demand for contraception to avoid getting diseases, thereby propelling market growth.

Moreover the products launches by the key players are expcted to boost thw growth of the market. For instrance, in March 2022, Medicines360, Population Services International, and Society for Family Health launched Avibela (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) 52 mg hormonal intrauterine device in Nigeria.

However, the high cost of devices and treatment and side effects associated with the use of contraceptive drugs and devices are some of the factors that are likely to impede market growth over the forecast period.