Working Papers

Vasectomy: The Unfinished Agenda
This paper is meant to inform programming for no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV), as well as to advocate for greater attention to vasectomy services within family planning programs. ACQUIRE situates vasectomy within the context of the need to “reposition family planning.” It offers important lessons learned over the past several decades about effective vasectomy services, as well as what causes the widespread barriers to vasectomy’s greater availability and use and how best they can be removed. A better understanding of these barriers and lessons learned, coupled with sustained commitment of attention and resources, can result in greater use of vasectomy. (2007)
Available as a PDF: download (742KB)

Investing in the Future: The Case for Long-Acting and Permanent Contraception in Sub-Saharan Africa
In Sub-Saharan Africa, 48.8 million women—nearly half of married women of reproductive age—want to space births or limit their number of births. However, fewer than half of those women (22 million) currently use any contraceptive method, and fewer than one in seven use a modern method. There are compelling reasons to invest in long-acting and permanent contraceptive methods (LAPMs)—IUDs, implants, and male and female sterilization—in Sub-Saharan Africa. LAPMs can address a full range of women’s and couples’ needs. Only 2.7 million women currently use these methods, yet evidence suggests that if and when potential clients have correct information on the methods and services are made widely available, LAPMs will be adopted. LAPMs are needed, wanted, and crucial. This paper: 1) addresses the case for investing in LAPMs in Africa, 2) reviews current trends, and 3) outlines strategies for increasing access to and utilization of LAPM services. (2007)
Available as a PDF: download (165KB)