Over 17 million women in East Africa are reportedly using birth control contraceptives a study has revealed.
The study was conducted by African Population and Health Research on the population and use of contraceptives in Africa.
It indicates that among the married couples, the number of women who use modern methods of family planning has also risen from 20 million to 27 million.
In 2008 only 12 million women in East Africa were using contraceptives but a continent-wide study has shown a increase to 17 million in 2012.
According to United Nations Populations Fund report 2010, the population of East Africa is estimated at 131 million people.
The study results were released in Kampala-Uganda during a meeting by Africa women parliamentarians to discuss issues of leadership, family planning and reproductive health.
“Compared to other regions, East Africa is doing somehow well but more funding is needed to help more women, especially in rural areas, access the contraceptives,” said Dr. Estelle Sidze one of the facilitators.
She noted that lack of contraceptives has led to increased school dropouts, death as a result of complicated pregnancies and increased cases of unsafe abortions.
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