Access to sexual and reproductive health medicines and supplies in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

The attainment of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is still a far cry as is highlighted by an estimated annual death of more than 350,000 women and 5.6 million children worldwide from preventable complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 66% of global maternal deaths and accounts for 15 times higher under-5 mortality than high income countries. Access to medicines is important to avert the SRH related morbidity and death burden. This thesis assessed the situation on access to SRH commodities in sub-Saharan countries by reviewing public policies and practices at national and international levels and by measuring availability and affordability of different SRH commodities at health facility level.