Knowledge and attitudes about reproductive health and HIV/AIDS among family planning clients

The knowledge of and attitudes towards reproductive health, and in particular STDs and AIDS, were assessed in 4000 women attending primary health care/family planning facilities in Alexandria, Egypt. In all, 66% did not know the significance of the term reproductive health and 50% considered female circumcision necessary. Of the 69% of women using contraceptives, 93% were using interuterine devices. The majority knew about AIDS but did not know that the use of condoms can prevent transmission of STDs, including HIV. A comprehensive programme should be initiated to increase public awareness of the issues of reproductive health

Pattern of spousal support and communication among family planning clients in a tertiary care centre in north western Nigeria

Background: Globally, there has been the recognition of the importance of male involvement in family planning and providers sees their support as an effective way of reducing barrier to accessing Family Planning services. Aim: Assess the pattern of spousal support and communication for family planning. Methodology: This was a mixed study design. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information from Family Planning client, attending Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital’s Reproductive Health clinic and Ahmadu Bello University Medical Centre. An in-dept. interview (with FP providers) and FGDs (with clients) were also conducted. Result: A total of 280 clients that were served with questionnaire across the two facilities within three months. Of the 280 respondents only 65% had tertiary level of education. Prior discussion of family planning with spouse was found in 82.5% of respondents and in 80.3% of the respondents said their spouses were aware of the chosen method. However, it was only in 39.5% of clients that, the chosen method was influenced by their spouses. Financial support by spouse was found in 69% of respondents. In 90% of respondents, there was the influence of the spouse on the intended duration of the chosen method. However, it was only in 33.5% of the respondents that the spouse influenced the discontinuation of previous method. Conclusion: Couple communication and spousal support were present in over two-third of family planning clients in Zaria, Northern Nigeria. Targeting men in behavioral change communication will improve the uptake of family planning services and improve the continuation of use of long-term contraceptives.

Changes to Contraceptive Method Use at Title X Clinics Following Delaware Contraceptive Access Now, 2008–2017

Objectives. To measure changes in the contraceptive methods used by Title X clients after implementation of Delaware Contraceptive Access Now, a public–private initiative that aims to increase access to contraceptives, particularly long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs). Methods. Using administrative data from the 2008–2017 Family Planning Annual Reports and a difference-in-differences design, we compared changes in contraceptive method use among adult female Title X family planning clients in Delaware with changes in a set of comparison states. We considered permanent methods, LARCs, moderately effective methods, less effective methods, and no method use. Results. Results suggest a 3.2-percentage-point increase in LARC use relative to changes in other states (a 40% increase from baseline). We were unable to make definitive conclusions about other contraceptive method types. Conclusions. Delaware Contraceptive Access Now increased LARC use among Title X clients. Our results have implications for states considering comprehensive family planning initiatives.

Factors associated with the utilization of long-acting reversible contraceptives among family planning clients at the Pameungpeuk Rural Hospital, Indonesia

Background: Uncontrolled population development can prompt an assortment of populace issues and can be one of the reasons for increasing maternal death rates. The utilization of contraceptives in Indonesia was progressively dominated by injectable contraceptives and pill contraceptives in 2015 (52.21% and 24.36%, respectively). However, the rate of termination of the use of short-acting contraceptives by family planning clients was higher than other methods, therefore the use of short-acting contraceptives is less efficient than long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) for longer term spacing because it is easy to skip a treatment for economic or other reasons, which can result in unintended pregnancy. Therefore, the National Family Planning Program in Indonesia is encouraging the use of LARCs to control population growth. Pameungpeuk is a region which has the second largest population, with the highest total fertility rate in South-West Java. The proportion of active users of LARCs in Pameungpeuk is very low (10.66%). This study aimed to analyze factors associated with the utilization of LARCs among family planning clients at the Pameungpeuk Rural Hospital. Methods: This study design was cross-sectional with systematic random sampling. The sample group in this study was 84 family planning clients. We performed statistical analyses using chi-square test. Results: We found significant associations between the age of women (p=0.024), the cost of contraception (p=0.022), knowledge (p=0.042), beliefs (p=0.002), skill of health workers (p=0.008) and support from health workers (p=0.014). However, education (p=0.212), family income (p=0.087), attitude (p=0.593), exposure to information on LARCs (p=0.378), support from partners (p=0.094), support from friends (p=0.414) and the support of community leaders (p=0.367) had no significant association with the utilization of LARCs. Conclusions: These findings highlight a critical need for improved education among family planning clients at the Pameungpeuk rural hospital regarding the use of LARCs for both medical and elective reasons.

Factors associated with the utilization of long-acting reversible contraceptives among family planning clients at the Pameungpeuk Rural Hospital, Indonesia

Background: Uncontrolled population development can prompt an assortment of populace issues and can be one of the reasons for increasing maternal death rates. The utilization of contraceptives in Indonesia was progressively dominated by injectable contraceptives and pill contraceptives in 2015 (52.21% and 24.36%, respectively). However, the rate of termination of the use of short-acting contraceptives by family planning clients was higher than other methods, therefore the use of short-acting contraceptive is not effective enough for use. In anticipating the decreased use of short-acting contraceptives while also seeking to control population growth, the National Family Planning Program in Indonesia is encouraging the use of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs). Pameungpeuk is a region which has the second largest population, with the highest total fertility rate in South-West Java. The proportion of active users of LARCs in Pameungpeuk is also very low (10.66%). This study therefore aimed to analyze factors associated with the utilization of LARCs among family planning clients at the Pameungpeuk Rural Hospital. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design with systematic random sampling. The sample group in this study was 84 family planning clients. We performed statistical analyses using a chi-square test. Results: We found significant associations between the age of women (p=0.024), the cost of contraception (p=0.022), knowledge (p=0.042), beliefs (p=0.002), skill of health workers (p=0.008) and support from health workers (p=0.014). However, education (p=0.212), family income (p=0.087), attitude (p=0.593), exposure to information on LARCs (p=0.378), support from partners (p=0.094), support from friends (p=0.414) and the support of community leaders (p=0.367) had no significant association with the utilization of LARCs. Conclusions: These findings highlight a critical need for improved education among family planning clients at the Pameungpeuk rural hospital regarding the use of LARCs for both medical and elective reasons.