This study looked at how people in rural South Sudan feel about using self-injectable birth control. Many liked being able to use it privately at home, which helped them avoid cultural and distance-related barriers. However, challenges like stigma, side effects, and family pressure made it hard for some to keep using it. Involving community health workers and local leaders in … [Read more...] about Perspectives of stakeholders on enhancing access to self-injectable contraception in rural South Sudan
Contraception
Community Health Workers as Key Providers of Easy-to-Use Contraceptive Injectables
This study tested what happens when trained community health workers are allowed to give women a new type of birth control shot during home visits. The number of shots given went up by about 70%. However, overall birth control use didn’t increase much, since many women chose the shots instead of longer-lasting options like implants or IUDs. … [Read more...] about Community Health Workers as Key Providers of Easy-to-Use Contraceptive Injectables
Feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of a human-centered design-derived intervention to improve community health workers’ contraception outreach in rural Malawi
Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) in Malawi play a key role in expanding contraceptive access in rural areas. The Ndingathe intervention was designed to improve outreach by addressing HSA workflow challenges and enhancing self-injection counseling through a mnemonic and peer support from experienced users. During a six-month pilot, Ndingathe increased outreach clinic … [Read more...] about Feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of a human-centered design-derived intervention to improve community health workers’ contraception outreach in rural Malawi
Capacity-Building Through Digital Approaches: Evaluating the Feasibility and Effectiveness of eLearning to Introduce Subcutaneous DMPA Self-Injection in Senegal and Uganda
Training health workers on new contraceptive methods can be costly and challenging. To address this, PATH created an online course to teach family planning providers in Senegal and Uganda how to offer a self-injection contraceptive option, DMPA-SC. This digital course includes 10 lessons on topics like informed choice and self-injection training. Rolled out in 2019-2020, the … [Read more...] about Capacity-Building Through Digital Approaches: Evaluating the Feasibility and Effectiveness of eLearning to Introduce Subcutaneous DMPA Self-Injection in Senegal and Uganda
Documenting the Provision of Emergency Contraceptive Pills Through Youth-Serving Delivery Channels: Exploratory Mixed Methods Research on Malawi’s Emergency Contraception Strategy
Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are effective and can be used safely, but they are underused, especially among youth. In 2020, Malawi's Ministry of Health developed a strategy to improve ECP access through public channels like youth clubs and community health workers (CHWs). A study in two rural districts found that ECP use increased, particularly among young people, with … [Read more...] about Documenting the Provision of Emergency Contraceptive Pills Through Youth-Serving Delivery Channels: Exploratory Mixed Methods Research on Malawi’s Emergency Contraception Strategy