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Burkina Faso: In-depth analysis of family planning task sharing and self-care policies, and alignment with WHO guidelines

This report presents an in-depth analysis of Burkina Faso’s policies, regulations, and guidelines, based on an extensive document review followed by key informant interviews. The findings are organized by select family planning methods, including voluntary surgical contraception, implants, injectables, and pills. The report also includes a section describing COVID-19’s effect on task sharing and self-care policies. The authors recommend policy and regulatory revisions and actions to further improve the country’s family planning and regulatory environment and scale implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and note that the Burkina Faso experience may serve as evidence when the WHO next updates its task sharing guidance.

Institutional author(s): USAID, Human Resources for Health in 2030 (HRH2030)
Publication date: August, 2021

Pharmacies and Drug Shops: Expanding contraceptive choice and access in the private sector

Expanding access to contraceptive methods through the private sector and community-based sources—which includes task sharing—is an important strategy to help achieve national family planning and development goals and, in particular, aims to reduce barriers to access for youth, lower-income, and other marginalized groups. Private sector pharmacies and drug shops are often the first line of health care in low- and middle-income countries, particularly for many underserved populations and especially in rural areas that have very few private or public clinics. While there are differences between pharmacies and drug shops, there are also common issues around implementation and impact. For both, training and support can improve and expand the range and quality of services they offer and thereby increase access and choice for women.

Institutional author(s): High Impact Practices in Family Planning (HIPs)
Publication date: August, 2021

The Highs, Lows, and Squishy Middle of Contraceptive Product Introduction

As part of the Global Health Science and Practice (GHTechX) conference, CHAI, FHI 360, PATH, the Population Council, PSI, and WCG hosted an April 22, 2021 session to synthesize lessons learned across contraceptive introduction of implants, DMPA-SC self-injection, hormonal IUS and other methods. During the session, experts from Kenya, Madagascar, Uganda, and the United States outlined essential steps for the process of contraceptive product introduction, described common challenges, and shared tools and approaches based on experiences with the three methods. Session slides are available below. To watch the recording of this and many other sessions, register for free on the GHTechX website.

Institutional author(s): Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), FHI 360, PATH, Population Council
Publication date: April, 2021

Evidence at-a-glance: What we know about subcutaneous DMPA, a new type of injectable contraception

This brief outlines existing evidence on DMPA-SC with data grouped into top-line, evidence-based messages, with corresponding data from different countries. This handout can be printed and distributed directly to decision-makers. It contains several one-page spotlight handouts on specific sub-topics, which can be printed and paired with the two-page summary—for distribution to decision-makers—as needed.

Institutional author(s): PATH
Publication date: October, 2019

Costs and cost-effectiveness of subcutaneous DMPA through different delivery channels: What new evidence tells us

This brief summarizes recent evidence from African countries on the costs and cost-effectiveness of DMPA-SC. Key findings include that DMPA-SC may help reduce service delivery costs by catalyzing expansion of channels closest to women and that self-injected DMPA-SC is cost-saving as compared to clinic-administered DMPA-IM when accounting for costs to women and health systems.

Institutional author(s): PATH
Publication date: October, 2019

Subcutaneous DMPA key facts: Answering questions and dispelling common myths about a new type of injectable contraception

This brief offers concise, evidence-based information to help answer common questions and dispel myths about injectable contraception. Myths are not stated directly because repeating a myth may reinforce it in people’s minds.

Institutional author(s): PATH
Publication date: October, 2019

PowerPoint template: Expanding options and access with subcutaneous DMPA, a new type of injectable contraception

This customizable slide deck provides a brief description of DMPA-SC and its benefits; an overview of evidence on how the product expands access through multiple delivery channels; and illustrative policy and advocacy gaps and recommendations for country decision-makers.

Institutional author(s): PATH
Publication date: October, 2019

Contraceptive eligibility for women at high risk of HIV

The World Health Organization (WHO) convened a Guideline Development Group (GDG) meeting from 29 to 31 July 2019 to review global guidance on contraceptive eligibility for women at high risk of HIV acquisition to and determine whether revisions to the fifth edition of the Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use (MEC) were needed. The issue was deemed critical, particularly for sub-Saharan Africa, given the high lifetime risk of acquiring HIV alongside the importance of hormonal contraception in offering women and adolescent girls’ choice and in reducing their risk of unintended pregnancy, a common threat to the health, well-being and lives of women and adolescent girls.

Institutional author(s): World Health Organization (WHO)
Publication date: August, 2019

New App for WHO’s Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use

The WHO has launched an App for its Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use. This digital tool will facilitate the task of family planning providers in recommending safe, effective and acceptable contraception methods for women with medical conditions or medically-relevant characteristics.

Institutional author(s): World Health Organization (WHO)
Publication date: August, 2019

Tool Link to Press Briefing

Association Between the Quality of Contraceptive Counseling and Method Continuation: Findings From a Prospective Cohort Study in Social Franchise Clinics in Pakistan and Uganda

Quality of family planning counseling is likely associated with whether or not women continue to use the same contraceptive method over time. The Method Information Index (MII) is a widely available measure of contraceptive counseling quality but little is known about its association with rates of method continuation. Using data from a prospective cohort study of 1,998 social franchise clients in Pakistan and Uganda, we investigated the relationship between reported baseline MII and the risk of method continuation over 12 months using survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard models. Higher scores on the 3-question Method Information Index (MII)—measuring client-reported receipt of contraceptive information—was associated with continued use of family planning over 12 months. We recommend incorporating use of the MII in routine assessments of family planning service quality.

Global Health: Science and Practice. March 2019, 7(1):87-102. https://doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-18-00407

 

Institutional author(s): Metrics for Management, Population Council, Wilfrid Laurier University, Population Services International (PSI), MSI Reproductive Choices, Makerere University
Individual author(s): Nirali M. Chakraborty, Karen Chang, Benjamin Bellows, Karen A. Grépin, Waqas Hameed, Amanda Kalamar, Xaher Gul, Lynn Atuyambe, Dominic Montagu
Publication date: March, 2019

Journal article Association Between the Quality of Contraceptive Counseling and Method Continuation: Findings From a Prospective Cohort Study in Social Franchise Clinics in Pakistan and Uganda