Johannesburg – The low uptake of contraceptives among women of reproductive age remains one of the leading causes of unintended pregnancies in the province, the Gauteng Department of Health has revealed.
“According to available data, an estimated 75% of unintended pregnancies in South Africa are linked to low contraceptive use,” the department said on Friday, 25 September 2026.
“This trend continues to be reflected in Gauteng, where only 32.45% of eligible women accessed contraceptive services during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, against a target of 43%.”
The department said the slow uptake of contraceptive methods contributes significantly to the number of women requiring Choice on Termination of Pregnancy services, which are freely available across public healthcare facilities in the province.
While these services remain an important component of reproductive healthcare, the department said it was concerned that many women continue to miss opportunities to prevent unintended pregnancies despite the availability of a wide range of safe, effective and free contraceptive methods at public healthcare facilities.
On the eve of World Contraception Day, the department encouraged women and girls of reproductive age to make use of these services to prevent unintended pregnancies and improve their overall reproductive health outcomes.
These contraceptive options include long-acting reversible contraceptives such as the Subdermal Implanon, Intra-Uterine Contraceptive Devices and Copper T, injectable contraceptives such as Nur-Isterate and Depo-Provera, as well as oral contraceptives including Triphasil, Microval and Nordette.
The department acknowledged that misconceptions and fears surrounding contraceptive use remain barriers to uptake.
“Many women cite concerns about side effects and possible infertility as reasons for not using contraceptives,” the department said.
“However, these concerns are often linked to inadequate knowledge and misinformation about the various safe and reversible contraceptive options available. The benefits of contraceptive use far outweigh the potential side effects.
“Access to contraception empowers women and families to make informed reproductive choices, improves maternal and child health outcomes, and reduces the risks associated with unintended pregnancies.”
The department said contraceptive services were available free of charge at all levels of public healthcare, including clinics, community health centres, hospitals and mobile health services.
All health facilities have trained and competent healthcare professionals who provide counselling as well as insertion and removal services for Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives.
To further expand access, the department said it has service level agreements with selected private healthcare providers to offer contraceptive services and share service data with the 1 of 2 Department.
As the global community commemorates World Contraception Day on 25 September 2026 under the theme “No Barriers, Just Choices: Contraceptive Access Now”, the department used the opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of contraception, debunk myths and misconceptions, and empower communities, particularly young people, to make informed decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health.
The department emphasised that contraceptive services were also provided through Youth Zones at healthcare facilities.
“These dedicated youth-friendly services allow young people to access contraceptives, information and support in a safe and confidential environment, including after-school hours,” the department said.
“While contraceptives remain one of the most effective ways to prevent unintended pregnancies, they do not protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
“Sexually active individuals are encouraged to use condoms consistently and correctly to prevent HIV transmission and reduce the spread of STIs.
“HIV prevention methods such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Lenacapavir are also available across public healthcare facilities.”
The department said in addition to contraceptive services, Gauteng public healthcare facilities also provide a comprehensive range of sexual and reproductive health services, including pregnancy testing, antenatal care services, STI screening and treatment, breast and cervical cancer screening, and HIV counselling and testing.
The department said it remains committed to ensuring equitable access to reproductive healthcare services and encouraging all women and young people to make use of these services to safeguard their health and wellbeing.
Notably, during the 2025/26 financial year, the department said it provided contraceptive services to 2 915 945 women of reproductive age, demonstrating the continued availability and accessibility of family planning services across the province.
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