Albania, home to a population of 2.9 million, scores 68.1% in the 2020 Contraception Atlas. This encompasses a low-performance score for the availability of online information (28.9%), as the only online information on contraception comes in the form of sporadic media articles; and an exceptional score on access to supplies and counselling (89.5%). The public health sector offers free of charge pills, injectables, IUDs, and condoms to everyone. While contraceptives are completely covered, Albania still reports a very low contraceptives prevalence rate due to lack of demand which is in part attributable to persisting myths and lack of information among citizens. This could partially explain the low contraception prevalence rate (30% of reproductive age) of the country. In 2020 Albanian civil society organisations started to openly urge the Albanian Government that it should create a government website with accurate information on contraception.
Recommendations:
- As Albanian civil society organisations have recommended to the Albanian Government, a website should be created to inform citizens on contraception methods and to contribute to the demystification of contraceptives. This is a cost-effective and efficient way to improve Albania’s ranking in the atlas.
- Websites should have clear information on modern contraception methods to increase awareness as the contraceptive prevalence rate of modern methods is very low.
- Albania government needs to strive to provide better online information that includes price, venues and rights of residents.
Breakdown by Criteria
Policies related to supplies and counselling
- Reimbursement
✔️Reimbursement within the national health system
✔️Special reimbursement for adolescents (until 19)
✔️Special Reimbursement for vulnerable groups (unemployed/low income)
- Counselling
✔️Available, accessible, and affordable consultation
✔️No need for third-party consent
✔️Legal status (marital, citizenship) is not a barrier
- Prescription requirements
✔️Availability of emergency contraception without prescription
❌Availability of self-administered hormonal contraception without prescription
Availability of online information
- Type of online information
Website provided by other online resources
❌Number of contraceptives - weak
❌Info on costs of contraceptives
❌Info on where to get contraceptives
- User friendliness
❌Regional or minority language included
✔️Web design
✔️Discoverability of the website
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