Postpartum Family Planning at the Timbuktu Hospital in Mali

Introduction: Postpartum family planning is the prevention of pregnancies during the 12 months following childbirth. Few studies have been devoted to postpartum family planning in Mali. Our work will contribute to reducing unmet need for family planning. Objective: To study the use of contraceptive methods in the postpartum period in the obstetrics and gynecology unit of Timbuktu hospital. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study with prospective collection of data from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023. All women who gave birth having chosen and benefited from a contraceptive method were included. The statistical test used was the Fisher test with a significance threshold fixed at 5%. Results: The frequency of contraception in the postpartum period was 17.03%. The average age of clients was 26.14% with extremes of 14 and 45 years. They were paupiparous at 56.4% with an inter-birth interval of less than 12 months at 12.3%. More than half of the counseling (58.5%) was done during postnatal visits. The methods chosen were implants at 48.1%, injectable progestins at 21.3%, intrauterine device at 14.7%, miro-progestin pills at 13.5%, tubal ligation at 1 .4% and condoms at 1%. The regular follow-up rate was 51.1% of cases and 25.6% had no follow-up. Conclusion: The overall rate of postpartum family planning of 17.08% remains low. Improving FP staff skills will reduce unmet needs and contribute to increasing contraceptive prevalence in Timbuktu.

Correlates of Mistimed Pregnancy and Unmet Need for Family Planning among Women of Reproductive Age in Sandema, Ghana

Background: Globally, an estimated 80 million unintended pregnancies comprising both mistimed and unwanted pregnancies are recorded yearly. Yet only half of the women at risk of mistimed pregnancy use contraceptives. In developing countries, over 100 million females have unmet need, and national surveys in Ghana indicate 23% unmet need rate. Methods: Using a cross-sectional community-based approach, a sample size of 300 women of reproductive age were selected using multi-step cluster sampling techniques. The study was quantitative, using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Results: Two-third (66%) of the women in reproductive age still had unmet need, 71% were currently pregnant, and more than a third (36%) confirmed ever having a mistimed pregnancy. Fifty-three percent (53%) of the women confirmed never communicating with their partners on family planning issues, a little below half (45%) took their own health care decisions. Seventy nine percent (79%) ever received family planning services from a health professional. Factors related to unmet needs included mistimed pregnancy, level of education, preferred birth/pregnancy interval, communication between partners and the autonomy to spend self-earnings. Conclusion: Considering that high rates of unmet need results in mistimed pregnancy, improved policies around the influence of unmet need on mistimed pregnancies are needed.

Factors Associated with Unmet Need for Family Planning among Couples Living in Urban and Rural Areas of Guinea in 2019

Introduction: Unmet need for family planning (UNFP) is defined as women with unmet needs who want to stop or delay childbearing but are not using any method of contraception. The objective of this study was to analyze the factors associated with unmet needs for family planning among couples living in rural and urban areas of Guinea in 2019. Methodology: This was a prospective, analytical cross-sectional, multicenter study of a six-month period from August 1, 2018 to January 31, 2019, focusing on couples with unmet needs for family planning. Result: Among 189 couples interviewed, 567 had UNFP (33.3%), the reasons for not using modern contraceptive methods were desire for pregnancy (AOR = 2.74, 95% CI: 1.74, 4.31), husband’s refusal (AOR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.81), spousal attitude (AOR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.130, 30), birth spacing (AOR = 2.10% to 95%: 1.16, 3.82), difficulty with a new pregnancy (AOR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.74), and spousal attitude (AOR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.30). Conclusion: The involvement of spouses, especially in rural communities, would help achieve family planning objectives and reduce unmet needs for family planning.

Improving Access to Quality Care in Family Planning:WHO’s Four Cornerstones of Evidence-based Guidance

The four cornerstones of guidance in technique service of family planning are established by WHO based on high quality evidences. They have been updated according to the appearing new evidences, and the consensuses were reached by the international experts in this field. The four documents include Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use, Decision-making Tool for Family Planning Clients and Providers and The Global Handbook for Family Planning Providers. The first two documents mainly face to the policymakers and programme managers and were treated as the important references for creating the local guideline. The other two documents were developed for the front-line health-care and family planning providers at different levels, which include plenty of essential technical information to help providers improve their ability in service delivery and counselling. China paid great attention to the introduction and application of WHO guidelines. As soon as the newer editions of these documents were available, the Chinese version would be followed. WHO guidelines have been primarily adapted with the newly issued national guideline, The Clinical Practical Skill Guidelines-Family Planning Part, which was established by China Medical Association. At the same time, the WHO guidelines have been introduced to some of the clinicians and family planning providers at different levels. In the future, more special training courses will be introduced to the township level based on the needs of grass-root providers.

Evaluation on the Effectiveness and Feasibility of Integrating STI/HIV Counseling with Existing Family Planning Service in Shanghai

Objective To assess the impact of pamphlet distribution and counseling on STI/HIV/condom knowledge, attitudes towards STI/AIDS patients and condom use intention of married couples in Shanghai and explore the effective way of integrating STI/HIV prevention with family planning services. Methods Four hundred and five married women aged 20~39 and their husbands were recruited from 14 family planning stations at 7 administrative districts of Shanghai. They were randomly divided into two groups, the counseling intervention (CI) group with 199 couples and the pamphlet distribution (PD) group with 206 couples. For the PD group, only pamphlets containing information on STI/AIDS/ condom were distributed and condoms given free of charge, whereas for the CI group, they were provided with not only full counseling on STI/AIDS/condom and free condoms, but also followed by demonstration of correct condom use. The two modes of interventions were conducted following the baseline survey, and the follow up data were collected one month later. Results 1. There was no statistical difference between the two groups on STI/AIDS/condom knowledge level, attitudes towards STI/AIDS patients and condom use intention at the baseline. 2. The follow up findings indicated that: ① A significant enhancement in knowledge level was observed in the CI group, with 20% increase for husbands and 24% for wives. While for the PD group, only slight increase was observed: 2% for husbands and 3% for wives; ② 93% husbands and 76% wives of the CI group changed their discriminatory attitudes towards STI patients, and towards AIDS patients, the percentages were 73% and 78%, respectively; ③ 68% husbands and 64% wives of the CI group expressed their intention for condom use; ④ For the PD group, however, there was no difference in attitudes towards STI/AIDS patients and condom use intention at the baseline and follow up. 3. The knowledge scores and attitudes towards STI/AIDS patients were mainly influenced by the means of intervention. While the intention of condom use was influenced not only by means of intervention but also by condom availability. Conclusions 1. Good counseling can not only greatly enhance people's STI/AIDS/ condom knowledge level but also apparently change their discrminatory attitudes towards STI/AIDS patients; 2. Effective counseling and condom availability are two important factors that influence condom use intention; 3. It is effective and feasible to integrate counseling with the routine procedure of family planning services, hence is worth being scaled up in Shanghai or even nationwide.

Analysis on the Attitude of the Family Planning staff toward the Contraception Service Delivery to the Unmarried Youth

ve To analyze the attitude of family planning staff on providing contracep tives to unmarried youth

Quality of Care in Family Planning Program in China

Objective To sum up the theory of quality care according to the experience of EP program in China. Methods The author summarized the QOC theory and draw on its experiences and strength in family planningprogram in China. Results The theory facilitated the earnest program of the population and family planning program during the tenth five-year plan period, benefited the realization of the innovation of system and mechanism in population and family planning work, and the creation of a nice population environment for the healthy social and economic development in China. Conclusion The development of QOC has displayed a conspicuous theory in China＇s family planning program.

China’s Experience of Quality Care in Family Planning

Objective To evaluate and overview the experience of quality care of family planning of China.Methods The framework of quality care of China was summarized and analyzed, that was clients, technology and management triangle program system.Results The 8fundamental elements of quality care in China were presented： 1） policy environment of QoC, 2） comprehensive services, 3） choice of method, 4） IEC to policy-makers and providers, 5） technical competence, 6） interpersonal communications, 7） institutional guideline and regulation, 8） appropriate constella- tion of service.Conclusion FP sectors should prepare different constellations of service to meet their individual reproductive health need for different clients and develop institutional guide- line and regulation for FP service to follow up in practice. QoC should be a kind of standardized service process.

Reproductive Health and Family Planning

I am honoured to have the opportunity to speak about an issue, which lies at the heart of the Cairo agenda, and that is reproductive health.

Attitudes of Family Planning Workers toward Setting Up Special Counseling Stations for Unmarried Young Adults

ve To understand attitudes of family planning workers to setting up special counseling stations for unmarried young adults and to identify the acceptable and feasible ways to provide the services for unmarried young adults in eight provinces/cities in China

Determination of Level of Knowledge on Modern Methods of Family Planning among Women of Reproductive Age (18 - 49 Years) at Mathare North Health Center in Nairobi County, Kenya

Introduction: Modern family planning methods (MFPM) prevent unwanted pregnancies, reduce fertility rate, and increase the interval between pregnancies. They prevent pregnancy by preventing fertilization or implantation of the fertilized ovum. MFPM include tubal ligation (TL), vasectomy, oral contraceptive pills, the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD), depot injections, sub-dermal implants, and male and female condoms. Objective: To determine the level of knowledge of modern family planning methods (MFPM) among women of reproductive age (18 - 49 years) at the Mathari North Health Center in Nairobi County, Kenya. Methods: The study conducted among women of reproductive age at Mathare North Health Center in Nairobi was a cross-sectional descriptive survey between March 2016 and November 2018. It provided both qualitative and quantitative data. The sample size comprised of 274 women of reproductive age, i.e. (18 - 49 years) attending antenatal and postnatal clinics at the facility. Those excluded were women below 18 years of age, as they could not give consent according to Kenyan Laws. The data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire, which consisted of socio-demographic and characteristics, knowledge of modern family planning methods and distance from the facility. Likert scale was used to ensure that data was tabulated on daily basis and subjected to statistical manipulation using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: The four leading MFPM in use in order of acceptability were injectables, implants, intrauterine contraceptive device and pills in that order. 91% of respondents were aware or had heard about modern family planning methods. Level of education of mother and father were the two variables that influenced the uptake of MFPM with p-values of 0.0260 and 0.025, respectively. The study further found that knowledge of MFPM had a significant influence on their assimilation and utilization. All secondary variables considered in the research exhibit a substantial relationship concerning the use of MFPM. Conclusion: Communities around Mathari North Health Center need to be given information;education and counselling on MFPM to enable them make an informed decision and choice on their preferred method of family planning.

Assessment of Clients Satisfaction in Family Planning Service Delivery in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Client satisfaction is considered as one of the desired outcomes of health care service delivery and it is directly related to the utilization of any health services. The family planning clinic remains one of the important health care delivery outlets where client satisfaction guarantees continuation of usage, hence this study. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the determinants of client satisfaction with the family planning (FP) services provided in Port Harcourt. Materials and methods: This was a descriptive prospective cross-sectional study conducted between 18th of June 2018 and 18th of July 2018. The target population is women of reproductive age group (15 - 49) who visited 11 randomly selected family planning health facilities in Port Harcourt during the study period. A set of exit interviewer-administered questionnaire (pretested for reliability and validity) was used for data collection from a sample size of 195 respondents;and analyzed using SPSS 22.0. Standard deviation was used for continuous variable while categorical variables were presented in simple percentages and frequencies. The P value was set at <0.05 and confidence interval was 95%. Results: Age range 30 - 39 years constituted the largest proportion of 51.3%. A large proportion of the women (87.2%) expressed satisfaction with FP services provided. All respondents said the facilities were easily accessible, clean and were treated respectfully. However, only about half of the clients (51.3%) received their chosen contraceptive product after 1 hour. Conclusion: A huge proportion of family planning clients expressed satisfaction with family planning service delivery in Port Harcourt;not minding the longer waiting time. Implication of this is continued use and by implication improved contraceptive prevalence.

Effectiveness of Task Sharing and Task Shifting on the Uptake of Family Planning in Kenya

Background: Contraception is an inexpensive and cost-effective intervention, but health workforce shortages and restrictive policies on the roles of mid and lower-level cadres limit access to effective contraceptive methods in many settings. Task sharing and task shifting are strategies that can be adopted to increase uptake of health services including family planning. Methods: We collected data through online survey, key informant interviews and focused grouped discussions with an intervention group and that implemented the task sharing and task shifting policy guidelines and a control group that did not implement the policy. A total of 434 questionnaires were filled by health workers’ in primary health care facilities to assess effectiveness of task sharing and task shifting on the uptake of family planning services including its strengths and challenges. The questionnaire was designed with the aim of getting data on services provided by the cadres on effectiveness (number of clients, increase in use of methods, access to services), how they perceive these tasks, the bottlenecks and facilitating factors associated with the practice of task sharing and task shifting. Results: We found out that the task sharing and task shifting can expand and increase access to services as stated by 95% of the respondents. Most community health workers provided more of the family planning services at 45% with only 5% of the services of family planning being provided by medical officers. 98% of family planning services were integrated with other services. Task shifting was beneficial to the health care providers as well as the clients and the success of task sharing and task shifting depended on training, supportive supervision and a regulated environment through policies. Conclusion: The study shows that formalized task sharing and task shifting can increase health service uptake especially when community health workers are involved to provide services in the community. This leads to increased service provision, equivalent health professional performance across cadres and patient outcomes in the provision of family planning services.

Women’s Perceptions and Attitudes Related to Family Planning Use among Poor Population in Rural Rwanda

INTRODUCTION: In 2012, Rwandan Government has declared family planning (FP) a national priority for poverty reduction and socioeconomic development. However, rural areas still contribute to higher fertility rates. OBJECTIVE: To explore factors to influence FP uptake in rural families. METHODS: This study used mixed (quantitative and qualitative) methods consisted of two separate surveys. The first survey (quantitative-based cross-sectional design) determined FP use in households while the second survey (qualitative-based design) identified socio-cultural factors which hindered FP uptake in households. In total, 119 households with women in reproductive age (15 - 45) were targeted in rural areas in Western province, Karongi District. The data collected during door-to-door visits using paper-based-questionnaires and administered through interviews. A database mask was designed under OnaCollect, then processed in SPSS software. The results were presented in tables of frequencies, the difference between proportions assessed using Chi-Square-test, the difference between means assessed using t-tests, significance at p = or <0.05, confidence level at 0.95, and a margin error of 0.09. RESULTS: Socio-cultural norms influenced no use of contraception (32.8%) or only promoted natural methods (12.6%). Social norms were religious in origin (38.5%) where Christianity (91.8%) discouraged modern methods (viewed as killing children) but encouraged using natural methods, preferably abstinence (73.3%). Cultural norms (17.9%) influenced families to have many children as resources of wealth, evidence of productivity, and a way to decrease parents’ workloads including assisting mothers in home-based activities such as cooking, and assisting fathers in farming activities such as keeping cows, goats and pigs. Other attitudes included gender-based issues (2.5%) mainly due to spousal disapproval (men dominated in taking FP decisions in families), whereas other non-users of modern methods (28.2%) feared side-effects. This study was registered with IRB: CMHS/IRB/097/2019. CONCLUSION: Religious, social, and cultural norms affect FP in rural areas. In order to accelerate FP uptake, men and religious leaders should be targeted as key partners who influence women’s choices.

The Effect of Family Planning Methods on Food Security in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study affirms the effect of family planning on rural household food security. The major thrust of this research identified socio-economic characteristics of respondents, various family planning methods used, benefit of use and factors influencing household food security in the study area. The research was carried out in 4 Local Government areas （LGAs） of Oyo state, where five communities each were randomly selected from the LGAs. A total of 272 households were sampled from the 20 communities. Descriptive and multinomial logit regression were used to analyse data collected. Findings revealed that 64.4% of the respondents were female, mean age was 40 years; about 80% of them were married and most of them had formal education with average of 10years spent in school. Result further revealed that that most of the respondents adopt artificial method of family planning. Sex, marital status of respondent, number of children; primary occupation, traditional method, natural method and artificial method of family planning were the factors influencing household food security status. It was recommended that rural household should be enlightened on the advantages of the use of family planning to improve their household nutritional intake level as well as standard of living.