Contraceptive implant uptake in Kenya versus South Africa: Lessons for new implantable technologies

Contraceptive implant use has been rapidly increasing across much of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) over the past decade; however, this uptake has not been uniform. In this commentary we explore two country-level case studies with differing experiences with the contraceptive implant: Kenya and South Africa. The implant has been available in Kenya for over 25 years, and prevalence among married women is the highest in the world at 22.8%. While the implant has been available for only five years in South Africa, implant insertions have been declining since an introductory surge. HIV prevention and multipurpose prevention technology implants currently in development could substantially impact health outcomes in SSA, but perceptions of future implants may be linked to perceptions of current contraceptive implants. As such, it is important to reflect on the implications of lessons learned from the rollout of contraceptive implants for these future implants. This case comparison offers an opportunity for developers and implementers of future implants to thoughtfully consider how to plan ahead for better service delivery, including delivery points, provider training, and communication strategies to counteract negative rumors.