Self-care interventions for sexual and reproductive health

Self-care interventions for sexual and reproductive health (SRH), including HIV self-testing, self-injected contraception and self-managed abortion, offer promising pathways to advance universal health coverage, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. While often framed as cost-saving measures, this paper argues that self-care should be understood as a strategic investment in health system performance. Drawing on costing and financing analyses and previous literature, we explore how self-care interventions can enhance efficiency, resilience and equity of health systems. We propose a costing framework that outlines cost components across development, implementation and scale-up, emphasising both system and individual-level considerations. We argue that sustainable scale-up of self-care requires diversified financing models, including tax-based funding, insurance mechanisms and reduced out-of-pocket costs for users. Successful integration also demands governance structures that prioritise quality, equity and continuity of care. By reframing self-care as a health system investment rather than a cost-containment tool, policymakers can better harness its potential to improve access, reduce burden on facilities and empower individuals in managing their health. Self-care interventions for SRH, when embedded within broader health system strengthening efforts, have the potential to be transformative for SRH outcomes and for progressing towards universal health coverage

Business · Cognitive reframing · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental health · Health care · Political science · Psychological intervention · Public economics · Reproductive health · Global Maternal and Child Health · Healthcare Systems and Reforms · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology

• Family planning self-care

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• Moving self-care from concept to practice

  Open Access•Saumya RamaRao, Gilda Sedgh et al.•BMJ Global Health•2025

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• The cost and intermediary cost-effectiveness of oral HIV self-test kit distribution across 11 distribution models in South Africa

  Open Access•Katleho Matsimela, Linda Sande et al.•BMJ Global Health•2021

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• The cost effectiveness and optimal configuration of HIV self-test distribution in South Africa

  Open Access•Lise Jamieson, Leigh F Johnson et al.•BMJ Global Health•2021

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• Navigating paradox in self-care

  Open Access•Megan Christofield, Pierre Moon et al.•BMJ Global Health•2021

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• Modelling costs of community-based HIV self-testing programmes in Southern Africa at scale

  Open Access•Marc d’Elbée, Gabriela B Gomez et al.•BMJ Global Health•2021

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• The economic costs and cost-effectiveness of HIV self-testing among truck drivers in Kenya

  Open Access•Deo Mujwara, Elizabeth A Kelvin et al.•Health Policy and Planning•2024

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