Introduction

As global health funding needs vastly exceed available resources, it is critical to invest in the most efficient, cost-effective solutions that maximize the impact of each dollar and ensure long-term sustainability. We therefore examine the evidence for investment in female condoms, including an analysis of cost-effectiveness, return on investment, and wider economic impacts.

This business case first conducts a cost-effectiveness analysis using peer-reviewed modeling tools to calculate (for four case study countries) both the cost of providing one million female condoms and the resulting economic benefits in terms of 1) cost savings to the health system, and 2) economic productivity losses avoided through the use of female condoms. At a high level, this cost-effectiveness analysis shows that the economic benefits from female condoms far outweigh the costs. Across the four case study countries, the ROI ranges from a $1 investment in female condoms yielding $4.22 in economic benefits, to a $1 investment yielding $8.48 in economic benefits.

This business case then analyzes existing evidence of costeffectiveness inputs that go beyond this initial analysis, namely studies demonstrating that when female condoms are available, there are higher rates of protected sex than when only male/external condoms are available. Across studies analyzed, after the introduction of female condoms, unprotected sex decreased by between 27%-81%. This report then discusses broader macroeconomic benefits of increased contraceptive access and closes with recommendations for the future.