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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Dynamics Of Oral Contraceptive Pill Use In India, The Evidence Project
Dynamics Of Oral Contraceptive Pill Use In India, The Evidence Project
Reproductive Health
The purpose of this brief is to provide evidence that can be used to strengthen the family planning program in India, particularly for community-based and facility-based distribution of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), use of which remains low despite their availability. Understanding women’s interactions with frontline health workers while obtaining the method and during follow-up counseling can help the Government of India improve its National Family Planning Program. Based on its findings, the report recommends that all providers, especially frontline health workers, receive training focusing on four domains of quality of care: 1) respectful care, 2) counseling to enable appropriate method …
Women's Perceptions And Experiences Of Family Planning By Contraceptive Methods In Kenya And Bangladesh: Preliminary Results, Kazuyo Machiyama, Joyce Mumah, Caroline W. Kabiru, George Odwe, Francis Obare, Fauzia Akhter Huda, John C. Cleland, John B. Casterline
Women's Perceptions And Experiences Of Family Planning By Contraceptive Methods In Kenya And Bangladesh: Preliminary Results, Kazuyo Machiyama, Joyce Mumah, Caroline W. Kabiru, George Odwe, Francis Obare, Fauzia Akhter Huda, John C. Cleland, John B. Casterline
Reproductive Health
No abstract provided.
What Do Users Really Want?, Saumya Ramarao, John Townsend, James Sailer
What Do Users Really Want?, Saumya Ramarao, John Townsend, James Sailer
Reproductive Health
No abstract provided.
Understanding Adolescent And Youth Sexual And Reproductive Health-Seeking Behaviors In Ethiopia: Implications For Youth Friendly Service Programming, Aparna Jain, Hussein Ismail, Elizabeth Tobey, Annabel Erulkar
Understanding Adolescent And Youth Sexual And Reproductive Health-Seeking Behaviors In Ethiopia: Implications For Youth Friendly Service Programming, Aparna Jain, Hussein Ismail, Elizabeth Tobey, Annabel Erulkar
Reproductive Health
To meet the unique sexual and reproductive health needs of its large adolescent and youth population, Ethiopia’s government has expanded and institutionalized youth-friendly services (YFS) at all levels of the health system. To help inform and improve these efforts, the Evidence Project, in collaboration with USAID/Ethiopia and the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health, conducted a study on adolescents’ and young people’s use of and opinions on YFS. Results showed that young people were satisfied overall with the health services they received, regardless of whether it was basic health services or YFS. Awareness and use of YFS was low, but many …
Contribution Of Contraceptive Discontinuation To Unintended Births In 36 Developing Countries, Population Council
Contribution Of Contraceptive Discontinuation To Unintended Births In 36 Developing Countries, Population Council
Reproductive Health
High contraceptive discontinuation results in millions of women having an unmet need for contraception. This Population Council study using data from 36 Demographic and Health Surveys shows that contraceptive discontinuation also results in millions of unintended pregnancies and births. This brief recommends attention to issues related to quality of care, such as counseling, to ensure that each woman has the method she needs/wants and uses it correctly. This will help women avoid contraceptive discontinuation and associated unmet need and unintended fertility right from the beginning. As programs become more successful, quality of care will become key to expanding contraceptive use …
Contraceptive Use And Fertility Intentions Among Women Living With Hiv In Kenya And Swaziland, Integra Initiative
Contraceptive Use And Fertility Intentions Among Women Living With Hiv In Kenya And Swaziland, Integra Initiative
Reproductive Health
At the end of 2013, an estimated 35 million people were living with HIV, and sub-Saharan Africa was disproportionately affected. With major efforts directed at expanding access to life-saving antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa, many people are living longer with HIV, leading productive and sexually active lives. Unintended pregnancies and the potential of vertical transmission are some of the challenges faced by women living with HIV. Understanding the fertility preferences and reproductive decisions of these women is vital for informing efforts to enable them to achieve these desires effectively and safely. The “Steps to Integration” series provides a guide on …
Progesterone Vaginal Ring: Safe For Mothers And Babies, Population Council
Progesterone Vaginal Ring: Safe For Mothers And Babies, Population Council
Reproductive Health
This fact sheet provides basic information on the safety and effectiveness of the progesterone vaginal contraceptive ring. It works as a contraceptive by reinforcing the inhibitory effect of breastfeeding on ovulation and extending postpartum amenorrhea. The PVR is an effective and safe contraceptive for mothers, their babies, and their sexual partners. This method vastly expands the range of contraceptive choices available for nursing women.
Anneau Vaginal À Progestérone: Évite Les Grossesses, Population Council
Anneau Vaginal À Progestérone: Évite Les Grossesses, Population Council
Reproductive Health
Cette fiche de renseignements fournit des informations sur l’utilisation de l’anneau contraceptif vaginal à la progestérone pour prévenir la grossesse. L'anneau vaginal à progestérone (AVP) offre une nouvelle manière de fournir un moyen de contraception. Il a été prouvé qu'il s'agit d'une méthode contraceptive sûre et efficace pour les femmes qui allaitent. Utilisé par ces femmes, l'AVP évite les grossesses en inhibant la croissance folliculaire et, par conséquent, empêchant l'ovulation; renforçant les effets inhibiteurs de l'allaitement maternel sur l'ovulation; étendant l'aménorrhée post-partum; et épaississant la glaire cervicale, et donc en empêchant les spermatozoïdes d'atteindre l'ovule. L'AVP donc étend la gamme …
Progesterone Vaginal Ring: Beneficial Role In Birth Spacing, Population Council
Progesterone Vaginal Ring: Beneficial Role In Birth Spacing, Population Council
Reproductive Health
As a result of growing urbanization and changing social norms concerning the role of women in developing countries, the duration of exclusive breastfeeding and its impact as a contraceptive strategy has been reduced. This has given rise to the need for a contraceptive method that can extend the infertile period following delivery, especially in countries where access to other contraceptives is limited and where longer duration of breastfeeding is a social norm and a major benefit to infant health. This project brief provides information on the progesterone vaginal ring (PVR), which can enhance the effect of breastfeeding on birth spacing. …
Progesterone Vaginal Ring: Prevents Pregnancy, Population Council
Progesterone Vaginal Ring: Prevents Pregnancy, Population Council
Reproductive Health
This fact sheet provides information about how the progesterone vaginal contraceptive ring works to prevent pregnancy. The progesterone vaginal ring (PVR) offers a novel way of delivering safe and effective contraceptives for lactating women. When used by such women it prevents pregnancy by inhibiting follicular growth, hence preventing ovulation; reinforcing the inhibitory effect of breastfeeding on ovulation; extending postpartum amenorrhea; and thickening the cervical mucus, thus inhibiting sperm from meeting the egg. The PVR expands the range of contraceptives available to lactating women and has the potential to contribute to improving maternal and infant health.
Anneau Vaginal À Progestérone: Aussi Sûr Pour Maman Que Pour Bébé, Population Council
Anneau Vaginal À Progestérone: Aussi Sûr Pour Maman Que Pour Bébé, Population Council
Reproductive Health
Cette fiche d'information fournit des informations de base sur l'innocuité et l'efficacité de l'anneau contraceptif vaginal à la progestérone (AVP). Son effet contraceptif fonctionne en renforçant les effets inhibiteurs de l'allaitement maternel sur l'ovulation, et en étendant l'aménorrhée post-partum. L'AVP est un contraceptif sûr et efficace pour les mamans, leurs bébés et leurs partenaires sexuels. Cette méthode étend largement le gamme de contraceptifs à la disposition des femmes qui allaitent.
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This fact sheet provides basic information on the safety and effectiveness of the progesterone vaginal contraceptive ring. It works as a contraceptive by reinforcing the inhibitory effect of breastfeeding …
Unintended Pregnancies In Kenya: A Country Profile, Joyce Mumah, Caroline W. Kabiru, Carol Mukiira, Jessica Brinton, Michael Mutua, Chimaraoke O. Izugbara, Harriet Birungi, Ian Askew
Unintended Pregnancies In Kenya: A Country Profile, Joyce Mumah, Caroline W. Kabiru, Carol Mukiira, Jessica Brinton, Michael Mutua, Chimaraoke O. Izugbara, Harriet Birungi, Ian Askew
Reproductive Health
This research report presents a country profile of Kenya, and looks at differential access to and quality of family planning (FP) and abortion/post-abortion services to assess their current situation, as well the various financing and delivery mechanisms for these crucial services. Since 2000, Kenya has passed several new sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and population-related policies, including a new population and development policy that addresses rapid population growth. Results of this country profile highlight the need for further research on: 1) innovative ways through which SRH information can be brought to schools; 2) FP/SRH indicators in people living with disabilities; …
Access To Emergency Contraception And Safe Abortion Services For Survivors Of Rape: A Review Of Policies, Programmes And Country Experiences In Sub-Saharan Africa, Jill Thompson, Chi-Chi Undie, Ian Askew
Access To Emergency Contraception And Safe Abortion Services For Survivors Of Rape: A Review Of Policies, Programmes And Country Experiences In Sub-Saharan Africa, Jill Thompson, Chi-Chi Undie, Ian Askew
Reproductive Health
This study examined how pregnancy prevention and management services (specifically, the provision of emergency contraception, pregnancy testing and counseling, and termination or referral for termination of pregnancy services) feature within post-rape care services in sub-Saharan Africa. The study drew on a range of sources via a desk review, as well as on information provided through key informant interviews. The existence of numerous national guidelines in the region demonstrates countries’ desire to respond to this public health and legal challenge. However, if left in their current state, the gaps and inconsistencies observed across most national guidelines contribute to a violation of …
Measuring The Impact Of Contraceptive Use On Unintended Pregnancy And Other Health Outcomes, Step Up Research Programme Consortium
Measuring The Impact Of Contraceptive Use On Unintended Pregnancy And Other Health Outcomes, Step Up Research Programme Consortium
Reproductive Health
This brief describes several statistical models that have been developed to estimate the number of health outcomes that will be averted because of contraceptive use. Concerns have been expressed that this range of approaches—which overlap in the impacts they estimate, but sometimes use different inputs, mathematical algorithms, and assumptions, and may produce different results—may be confusing for policymakers, managers, and donors who want to measure or evaluate these impacts. To address these concerns, the STEP UP consortium convened two expert meetings to review the estimation methods used; come to consensus on methodologies and assumptions, where possible; and provide guidance to …
Analyse Des Besoins Non Satisfaits Au Sénégal, Kazuyo Machiyama, John C. Cleland
Analyse Des Besoins Non Satisfaits Au Sénégal, Kazuyo Machiyama, John C. Cleland
Reproductive Health
Cette étude vise à établir l’importance relative d’un manque d’accès et d’attitudes de résistance envers l’utilisation de la contraception dans les strates géographiques et de population du Sénégal. Elle est destinée à informer les décideurs politiques sur la priorité à accorder à la communication pour le changement de comportement ou pour l’amélioration de l’accès/de l’information, et également à aider lors de la conception d’interventions pour réduire les inquiétudes par rapport à la santé et la peur des effets secondaires, tels que la provision d’une gamme de méthodes plus élargie et le counseling amélioré. Plus de la moitié des femmes ayant …
Country Mapping: Kenya, Francis Obare, Wilson Liambila, Harriet Birungi, Eseoise Itombra, Heather Clark, Saumya Ramarao
Country Mapping: Kenya, Francis Obare, Wilson Liambila, Harriet Birungi, Eseoise Itombra, Heather Clark, Saumya Ramarao
Reproductive Health
The Population Council embarked on a three-year project to explore the acceptability of the progesterone vaginal ring (PVR) among women in sub-Saharan Africa and to develop a strategic plan for its introduction. This technical report presents the findings of the assessments in Kenya with specific focus on: (1) the country’s demographic profile; (2) the health systems, health policy, and family planning program context; and (3) stakeholder perspectives regarding the PVR. The findings suggest that the introduction of the PVR would fill a gap in the family planning needs of breastfeeding women in Kenya, and there is strong support from stakeholders …
Country Mapping: Senegal, Babacar Mane, Nafissatou Diop, Nancy Termini Lachance, Saumya Ramarao, Heather Clark
Country Mapping: Senegal, Babacar Mane, Nafissatou Diop, Nancy Termini Lachance, Saumya Ramarao, Heather Clark
Reproductive Health
The Population Council embarked on a three-year project to explore the acceptability of the progesterone vaginal ring (PVR) among women in sub-Saharan Africa and its potential introduction. This technical report presents results from assessments undertaken to map the existing landscape of family planning programs and new contraceptive technologies in Senegal in an effort to identify national priorities and assess the level of interest in the PVR among stakeholders and to design appropriate preintroductory activities. This country mapping exercise confirms that Senegal is a promising context for the introduction of the PVR: the government is committed to repositioning family planning and …
Contraceptive Use Dynamics In Pakistan 2008-09, Arshad Mahmood, Syeda Saman Naz
Contraceptive Use Dynamics In Pakistan 2008-09, Arshad Mahmood, Syeda Saman Naz
Reproductive Health
This report looks at contraceptive use dynamics in Pakistan, focusing on contraceptive discontinuation, method failure, and contraceptive switching, as well as the reasons for discontinuation. The study found that almost one-third of discontinuations were due to side effects followed by one-fifth of them by the method failure. Side effects were the most common reason for discontinuing modern methods (IUDs and hormonal methods), while failure was the most common reasons for discontinuing barrier and traditional methods (condom, rhythm, withdrawal). Based on the findings of this study, this report suggests that better training of health providers and better information and counseling of …
Bellagio Consensus: Recommendations For Action To Increase Access To Highly Effective, Long-Acting, Reversible Contraception, Population Council
Bellagio Consensus: Recommendations For Action To Increase Access To Highly Effective, Long-Acting, Reversible Contraception, Population Council
Reproductive Health
This brief and statement offers recommendations for action to increase access to highly effective, long-acting, reversible contraception (LARCs) and accelerate progress toward meeting the Millennium Development Goal of universal access to reproductive health services.
Providers' And Key Opinion Leaders' Attitudes, Beliefs, And Practices Regarding Emergency Contraception In Nigeria, Babatunde A.O. Ahonsi, Salisu Mohammed Ishaku, Araoyinbo Idowu, Ayodeji Oginni
Providers' And Key Opinion Leaders' Attitudes, Beliefs, And Practices Regarding Emergency Contraception In Nigeria, Babatunde A.O. Ahonsi, Salisu Mohammed Ishaku, Araoyinbo Idowu, Ayodeji Oginni
Reproductive Health
Despite significant progress in product development, procurement, and distribution in the past few decades, emergency contraception’s (EC) capacity to benefit many women in countries such as Nigeria is hampered by a number of potential barriers, that are not well understood. The Population Council, with support from the International Consortium for Emergency Contraception, documented EC-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices among providers in Nigeria as well as perceptions of key opinion leaders who help shape the policy environment for EC and family planning in general. Findings suggest significant gaps in Nigeria, potentially necessitating continuous training and re-training to help dispel misperceptions and …
Country Mapping: Nigeria, Salisu Mohammed Ishaku, Saumya Ramarao
Country Mapping: Nigeria, Salisu Mohammed Ishaku, Saumya Ramarao
Reproductive Health
The Population Council conducted a three-year acceptability study of the progesterone vaginal ring (PVR) in three sub-Saharan African countries. This technical report presents results from Nigeria, laying out the country’s demographics and high fertility rates; describing the family planning program and policy context; and, finally, revealing the stakeholder support thus far with a discussion on how best to proceed with introduction activities. This country mapping confirms the likelihood that the PVR would be well received in Nigeria and fill a large need in family planning. The PVR is a safe, long-acting, user-controlled product that can be easily inserted and removed …
Levels, Trends And Determinants Of Contraceptive Use Among Adolescent Girls In Kenya, Francis Obare, Harriet Birungi, Chi-Chi Undie, Monica Wanjiru, Wilson Liambila, Ian Askew
Levels, Trends And Determinants Of Contraceptive Use Among Adolescent Girls In Kenya, Francis Obare, Harriet Birungi, Chi-Chi Undie, Monica Wanjiru, Wilson Liambila, Ian Askew
Reproductive Health
In Kenya, recent trends in contraceptive use among currently married women aged 15–49 years show that after experiencing a stall between 1998 and 2003, the contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) increased between 2003 and 2008–2009. Although the increase in CPR after 2003 is encouraging, there is limited understanding of how these changes affected adolescents, especially girls, given the unique sexual and reproductive health challenges that they face. This report is based on a secondary analysis of the Kenya Demographic and Health Surveys (KDHS) data to understand the trends, differentials, and determinants of contraceptive use among adolescent girls aged 15–19 years in …
Emergency Contraception: Idea To Program, Saumya Ramarao, John Townsend, Sarah Raifman
Emergency Contraception: Idea To Program, Saumya Ramarao, John Townsend, Sarah Raifman
Reproductive Health
This report summarizes the role of the Population Council in generating evidence, providing technical leadership, and demonstrating at scale that emergency contraception (EC) can be easily integrated into national family planning programs and other reproductive health services. Since the 1990s, the Population Council, along with other partners, has contributed to the changes seen in the provision and availability of EC, now available in over 140 countries around the world. While much progress has been made in the campaign for access to EC, the Council is committed to improving existing methods of service delivery and to leading advocacy efforts and research …
Female-Initiated Prevention: Integrating Female Condoms Into Hiv Risk-Reduction Activities In Kenya, Population Council, Liverpool Vct Care & Treatment
Female-Initiated Prevention: Integrating Female Condoms Into Hiv Risk-Reduction Activities In Kenya, Population Council, Liverpool Vct Care & Treatment
Poverty, Gender, and Youth
The Female Condom (FC) is the only female-initiated prevention product on the market today that provides simultaneous protection against STIs, including HIV, and unintended pregnancy. However, the FC remains limited in supply, not widely available, and underutilized in many settings. Improvements in FC programming are essential to achieve increased uptake and public health impact, and to pave the way for future women’s HIV prevention products. The Population Council’s Female-Initiated Prevention Methods project aimed to stimulate action and generate evidence around FC access through innovative program experimentation. The study was conducted to understand the challenges and opportunities these different access models …
In Our Own Hands: Swaa-Ghana Champions The Female Condom, Kathleen Cravero, Michelle Skaer, Victoria Ebin, Martha Brady
In Our Own Hands: Swaa-Ghana Champions The Female Condom, Kathleen Cravero, Michelle Skaer, Victoria Ebin, Martha Brady
Poverty, Gender, and Youth
This issue of Quality/Calidad/Qualité describes the vital role played by the Ghana branch of the Society for Women and AIDS in Africa (SWAA) in introducing the female condom, the only female-controlled method for protection from HIV. By addressing issues of gender inequity and communication within relationships, SWAA used the female condom to empower women to regain control of their bodies. Also in this issue are profiles of three other approaches to programming for the female condom from Brazil, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
Improving Access To Long-Term Contraceptives In Rural Guatemala Through The Ministry Of Health, Edwin Montufar, Carlos Morales, Ricardo Vernon, Carlos Brambila, Jorge Solorzano
Improving Access To Long-Term Contraceptives In Rural Guatemala Through The Ministry Of Health, Edwin Montufar, Carlos Morales, Ricardo Vernon, Carlos Brambila, Jorge Solorzano
Reproductive Health
The purpose of this study was to test a model to train nurse auxiliaries at health centers and posts in Guatemala and to determine whether these providers could deliver adequate, cost-effective services. The training model consisted of: a) selection of nurse auxiliaries; b) two-day group training; c) on-the-job training, including work with actual clients at the trainees’ work centers; and d) certification of trainees who had conducted at least five quality insertions under supervision. This study has shown that nonprofessional health providers can effectively provide quality IUD services in Guatemala. The main recommendation derived from the project is to scale …
Effects Of Igss' Job Aids-Assisted Balanced Counseling Algorithms On Quality Of Care And Client Outcomes, Federico R. Leon, Carlos Brambila, Marisela De La Cruz, John H. Bratt, Gustavo Gutierrez, Veronica Davila, Carlo Boniato, Alex Rios
Effects Of Igss' Job Aids-Assisted Balanced Counseling Algorithms On Quality Of Care And Client Outcomes, Federico R. Leon, Carlos Brambila, Marisela De La Cruz, John H. Bratt, Gustavo Gutierrez, Veronica Davila, Carlo Boniato, Alex Rios
Reproductive Health
This study identified a need to improve the quality of care at the main maternity hospital of the Social Security Institute (IGSS) in Guatemala. Problems included very short counseling sessions, counseling not focused on clients’ needs, redundancy in the role of physicians and social workers as providers, skewed method mix, and low client return rate for method resupply. The intervention, using Balanced Counseling Algorithms, changed the counseling behavior of physicians and social workers and enhanced the quality of family planning care. The report includes recommendations for continuing these improvements: monitoring provider implementation of the job aids–assisted Balanced Counseling Algorithms, monitoring …
Scaling Up A Successful Counseling Model In Guatemala, Guatemalan Association Of Female Physicians (Agmm)
Scaling Up A Successful Counseling Model In Guatemala, Guatemalan Association Of Female Physicians (Agmm)
Reproductive Health
This project aimed to improve clients’ ability to make an informed choice of contraceptive methods by scaling up the use of the balanced counseling strategy in public service delivery institutions in Guatemala. To reach this end, the project provided technical assistance to Calidad en Salud (Quality in Health), the leading reproductive health project in Guatemala, to train service providers in public institutions about the counseling methodology. The project successfully introduced the balanced counseling strategy in Guatemala and, as a result, has improved the informed choice of contraceptives in the country.
Introducing Dmpa Injectable Contraceptives To Private Medical Practitioners In Urban Gujarat, Frontiers In Reproductive Health
Introducing Dmpa Injectable Contraceptives To Private Medical Practitioners In Urban Gujarat, Frontiers In Reproductive Health
Reproductive Health
Many public, NGO, and private-sector service-delivery systems are suitably matched to the requirements of providing injectable contraceptives in India, including the ability to ensure choice and service delivery quality. This operations research study was designed to demonstrate the feasibility of providing injectable contraceptives in private medical practices and to contribute to the body of scientific literature on the acceptability of this method in India. DKT India and EngenderHealth formed a partnership with the Population Council’s Frontiers in Reproductive Health program to conduct this study in Gujarat. The ability to generate recommendations is limited, however, by the special characteristics of the …
Availability And Acceptability Of Iuds In Guatemala, Carlos Brambila, Berta Taracena
Availability And Acceptability Of Iuds In Guatemala, Carlos Brambila, Berta Taracena
Reproductive Health
The purpose of this study was to identify the reasons for the low use of the IUD in Guatemala and to explore the reasons why other reversible methods are selected more frequently than IUDs. The study aimed to determine the availability and acceptability of IUDs as a contraceptive option within the Ministry of Health, the Guatemalan Social Security Institute, and APROFAM. Results indicated that service providers do not take into consideration women’s reproductive needs or intentions when they provide family planning counseling. There are several demand-side factors that affect the use of the IUD, including lack of knowledge about the …