This study, published by DKT International, sheds light on the importance of understanding women’s experiences with medical abortion (MA) to enhance abortion care in Ghana and Nigeria. In collaboration with Sohail Agha and the Behavioral Insights Lab (BiL), DKT International conducted digital surveys via social media to gather insights into MA awareness, purchasing behaviour and usage.
Key findings reveal that medical abortion (MA) awareness is highest among urban women and those in lower-income brackets, demonstrating its potential as a “pro-poor” intervention. The study also highlights the critical role of private sector providers, such as community pharmacies in Ghana, and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs)* in Nigeria, in providing access to MA, particularly for economically disadvantaged women.
*PPMVs are private shops, like pharmacies, but less regulated. Most are members of associations, but monitoring may or may not be adequate. See this study of PPMV associations, and the role they play in monitoring their members: (https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-020-05379-z)
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Dear Friend of DKT,
It has been almost three years since Phil Harvey, DKT’s founder, passed away. We are reminded daily of the myriad contributions he made to the field of reproductive health and how he directly impacted the lives of tens of millions of people. Phil always cared first and foremost about the people he served, particularly those whose circumstances were most vulnerable. He wanted to ensure that they were able to live their lives freely, with dignity, and to the fullest.
Phil included DKT in his estate plans and we received those funds in early 2024. To honor him, we allocated $50,000 to each of the 25 affiliate offices and asked them to undertake work that would best serve the people Phil cared about most.
Starting with this (DKT) newsletter and going forward, we will showcase some of the impactful work that was undertaken in recent months with these funds. This month, that work includes outreach in the urban slums of Lagos and hard-to-reach communities in northern Nigeria; building a “women’s home” in the Republic of the Congo to support survivors of domestic abuse; and training midwives to start their own social enterprises in the Philippines.
Phil’s entrepreneurial spirit drove his life’s work. In 2023 and 2024, DKT has launched, on average, one new product per week somewhere in the world and this month, we also take you to Argentina where we just launched our Prudence-branded condoms. Argentina marks the 18th market DKT has entered in its Latin America South region.
Best, Chris Purdy
SOURCE: DKT September 2024 Newsletter E-mail: 18 September 2024.