In 1996, the Community-Based Reproductive Health (CBRH) project was started in the Northeastern part of Ethiopia by the Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia with financial support from Pathfinder International to provide quality family planning services to 136,000 people in a predominantly muslim area.
A project baseline survey revealed that 12% of women were using modern FP methods (84% pills, 14% injectables, and 2% condoms), however there were no long-term or permanent method users. In response, the CBRH project expanded the availability of all modern contraceptive methods, including long-term and permanent methods, by strengthening the referrral system and training of CBD agents.
In August 2000, a cross-sectional study found that long-term and permanent method use had increased from 0% at baseline to 13.5% (2.7% IUD, 7.8% Norplant, and 3% VSC). This is significant in a country where this method use rarely represents 5%. Using a consensus sampling, a written questionnaire was adminstered to 218 long-term and permanent method users to determine the factors associated with long-term and permanent method use. Almost 87% of the clients had previously used some form of modern FP. The majority of the clients had encouraged others to use long-term or permanent methods and around 60% confirmed that one or more clients had adopted a similar method with their encouragement.
In conclusion, client to client advocacy was found to be a good technique for increasing long-term and permanent method use and is recommended as a way of creating greater impact
Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Analyze factors associated with the use of long-term and permanent FP methods in rural settings of Ethiopia. 2. Discuss the impact of a program that offers a choice of contraceptive methods including long-term and permanent methods.
Keywords: International Family Planning, Patient Satisfaction
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.