Health economics of contraception
Mavranezouli, I.
Best Practice and Research. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology 23(2): 187-198
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 1532-1932 PMID: 19147410 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2008.11.007Document Number: 203873
Unintended pregnancies constitute a global problem associated with substantial costs to health and social services, and emotional distress to women, their families and society as a whole. Provision of contraception has been demonstrated to be a particularly cost-effective healthcare intervention as, besides preventing a significant number of unintended pregnancies, it also results in great cost-savings to society. Male and female sterilization and long-acting reversible methods (such as the copper-T intra-uterine device and the subdermal implant) constitute the most cost-effective contraceptive options, followed by other hormonal methods (such as oral contraceptives); barrier and behavioural methods (such as the male condom and withdrawal, respectively) are least cost-effective compared with other contraceptive options. Nevertheless, when compared with no method, they still prevent a large number of unintended pregnancies, thus leading to important cost-savings. Improvements in compliance and continuation rates are expected to further enhance the contraceptive benefits and cost-savings associated with contraceptive use.
Document emailed within 0-6 h
