-repeat users dominate
MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU—Uptake of the Sayana Press contraceptive in the Midlands province surged sharply in 2025, driven largely by a strong rise in repeat users, according to district statistics from the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC).
Data shows that repeat users jumped from 14 805 in 2024 to 23 941 in 2025, underlining growing confidence in the injectable contraceptive across the province.
However, new users slightly slowed down from 9 952 in 2024 to 9 232 in 2025, suggesting consolidation rather than expansion of first time uptake.
Gokwe North and Gokwe South remained the biggest users of Sayana Press in Midlands, accounting for the bulk of both new and repeat clients.
Gokwe South recorded the highest number of repeat users in 2025 at 5 795, up from 3 151 the previous year, while Gokwe North followed closely with 5 047 repeat users, rising from 3 033 in 2024.
Chirumanzu also posted a significant increase in repeat users, more than doubling from 774 in 2024 to 1 947 in 2025, while Kwekwe saw repeat uptake climb from 1 934 to 4 164 over the same period.
Gweru urban, though contributing lower absolute numbers compared to rural districts, recorded notable growth, with repeat users rising from 536 in 2024 to 1 083 in 2025, and new users increasing from 211 to 377.
While districts such as Chirumanzu, Gokwe North, Gweru and Shurugwi registered increases in new users in 2025, others including Gokwe South, Kwekwe, Mberengwa and Zvishavane recorded declines.
Health officials say the dominance of repeat users reflects sustained availability of the method and growing acceptance among women who prefer self-injectable or community-based family planning options.
A 41-year-old repeat user from Mkoba, Amanda Manyanga said Sayana Press had transformed access to contraception. “I prefer it because I can inject myself at home and I don’t have to miss work or travel long distances to the clinic,” she said.
Another beneficiary from Chirumanzu said consistency and convenience had influenced her decision to continue using the method. “It is easy to use and reliable. That is why I have remained on it,” she said.
Sayana Press is administered quarterly and is considered a key tool in expanding access to contraception, particularly in hard-to-reach rural communities.
The Midlands figures suggest that while retention remains strong, renewed efforts may be needed to attract first-time users if overall coverage is to expand further in 2026.
Kudakwashe Mbedzi, ZNFPC Midlands Provincial Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, said Sayana Press are critical in closing the access gap.
“Expanding Sayana Press will help meet demand while easing pressure on clinics,” he said, adding that scaling up the method would support Zimbabwe in meeting its FP2030 commitments by expanding coverage and improving the quality of care.
Total demand for family planning has exceeded 80% in Midlands, as the self-care method advances women’s health, autonomy, and national development goals.
Although the unmet need for family planning remains around 9%, Sayana-Press is proving to be a game changer in the reproductive health in Zimbabwe as it enhances privacy and convenience for users.
