Estimating demand for a new contraceptive method: Projections for the introduction of Sayana Press

ObjectiveTo describe a demand estimation exercise conducted in response to an initiative to introduce Sayana Press in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.MethodsSecondary data sources were used to develop estimates of the number of Sayana Press units needed for countrywide introductions in 12 countries. To estimate uptake, the number of women who had stated an intention to use injectables was calculated. Two sets of assumptions (one conservative, one more ambitious) were used to assess conversion to actual use.ResultsEven with the use of very conservative assumptions, and assuming no method switching, Sayana Press was estimated to have the potential to cumulatively reach 3-6 million women by 2016.ConclusionThis projected uptake in a relatively short period and at the very beginning of an adoption curve suggests that Sayana Press has promise for countries looking to expand their list of contraceptive choices.