Nearly Universal Receipt of Desired Contraceptive Method in Two Districts of Rwanda

Background Research demonstrates that when contraceptive users receive their desired method, they are more likely to maintain contraceptive use, avoid pregnancy, and report satisfaction with family planning. Rwanda has increased family planning use dramatically in a short period of time, from 17% to 69% between 2005 and 2025. This study aims to investigate the role of client receipt of desired method during counseling with family planning nurses at public health clinics or posts in two districts of Rwanda. Methods This study involved data extraction in 2022 and 2023 from family planning records at a sample of public health facilities in two districts of Rwanda, the two districts with the highest and lowest contraceptive prevalence rates in the nation. Extraction from the family planning record included the family planning client’s desired method as stated and recorded prior to counseling as well as the client’s method received after counseling. Results Results show that 95%-97% of a sample of long-acting method users in these two districts received their desired method. Further, multilevel analysis examines correlates of not receiving desired method and finds that individual level client variables explain relatively little variation, while facility-level factors account for most differences in desired method provision in Rwanda. Conclusion Contraceptive users in Rwanda are obtaining their method desired nearly all of the time, meeting client’s method desires is integral to successful contraceptive use and providing human centered services for individuals, family planning programs, and nations.