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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
4156.0: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 12:45 PM

Abstract #116083

Developing an evidence-based global handbook for family planning providers

Sarah L. Johnson, MA1, Ward Rinehart, MA2, Robert Lande2, Vera Zlidar, MHS2, Fonda Kingsley2, and Ushma D. Upadhyay, MPH2. (1) Reproductive Health/Family Planning, World Health Organization, Dept. of Reproductive Health & Research, 20 Avenue Apia, Geneva, Switzerland, (2) Center for Communication Programs, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 111 Market Place, Baltimore, MD 21202, 410-659-6300, rlande@jhuccp.org

The global handbook extends the evidence-based, consensus-building work of the World Health Organization to comprehensive, practical clinical guidance for family planning providers. A revision of the Essentials of Contraceptive Technology, the handbook is a collaboration of WHO, the INFO project at Johns Hopkins University, and an international team of experts from leading family planning organizations. These partners play complementary roles in formulating the evidence-based guidance and developing a consensus. The process began with experts identifying potentially controversial questions that needed special attention. INFO staff conducted research to answer these “consensus questions” and worked with experts to interpret and weigh the evidence. WHO and INFO enrolled experts in the both the medical issues and the realities of the clinic, which has helped to bridge the gap between medical research and the simple, clear guidance needed by family planning providers. The guidance is carefully worded to incorporate the varying perspectives of the experts, and the inclusive approach will encourage the experts' organizations to accept and endorse the handbook. In addition to the consensus process itself, the handbook makes two important contributions: It gives precise definitions for the frequencies of health risks attributable to each contraceptive, and it distinguishes side effects attributable to contraceptive methods from those that users report but that are not attributable. As the fourth cornerstone of WHO's reproductive health guidance literature, the handbook incorporates and complements the other three cornerstones: the Decision Making Tool for Family Planning Providers and Clients, Medical Eligibility Criteria, and Selected Practice Recommendations.

Learning Objectives:

  • Participants in this session will be able to

    Keywords: Family Planning, Practice Guidelines

    Presenting author's disclosure statement:

    I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

    [ Recorded presentation ] Recorded presentation

    Scaling-Up and Policy Implications: Strategies and Reflections

    The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA