Nguyen Toan Tran1, Wambi Maurice M Yameogo2, Félicité Langwana3, Seni Kouanda4, Blandine Thieba5, Désiré Mashinda6, Rachel Yodi7, Jean Nyandwe Kyloka8, Tieba Millogo9, Abou Coulibaly10, Souleymane Zan11, Brigitte Kini12, Bibata Ouedraogo13, Fifi Puludisi14, Asa Cuzin-Kihl15, Suzanne Reier16, James Kiarie17, Mary Eluned Gaffield18. 1. Institute of Demography and Socioeconomics (IDESO), University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Australian Centre for Public and Population Health Research, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Reproductive Health Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: nguyen-toan.tran@unige.ch. 2. Research Institute in Health Sciences (Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé) & African Institute of Public Health (Institut Africain de la Santé Publique), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Electronic address: yamwamb@gmail.com. 3. School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Electronic address: flangwana@gmail.com. 4. Research Institute in Health Sciences (Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé) & African Institute of Public Health (Institut Africain de la Santé Publique), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Electronic address: skouanda@irss.bf. 5. Research Institute in Health Sciences (Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé) & African Institute of Public Health (Institut Africain de la Santé Publique), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Electronic address: thieblan@yahoo.fr. 6. School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Electronic address: desiremashinda@facmed-unikin.net. 7. School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Electronic address: yodirachel@gmail.com. 8. School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Electronic address: jnyandwe@gmail.com. 9. Research Institute in Health Sciences (Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé) & African Institute of Public Health (Institut Africain de la Santé Publique), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Electronic address: millogorod@gmail.com. 10. Research Institute in Health Sciences (Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé) & African Institute of Public Health (Institut Africain de la Santé Publique), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Electronic address: samsoncoul@gmail.com. 11. World Health Organization Country Office in Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Electronic address: zans@who.int. 12. World Health Organization Country Office in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Electronic address: kininsikub@who.int. 13. Bokin Medical Center (Centre Médical de Bokin), District sanitaire de Yako, Région du Nord, Burkina Faso. Electronic address: samsoncoul@yahoo.fr. 14. Bumbu Mother and Child Center (Centre Mère et Enfant de Bumbu), Commune de Bumbu, Province de Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Electronic address: puludisufifi@gmail.com. 15. Department of Reproductive Health Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: cuzina@who.int. 16. Department of Reproductive Health Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: sreier@edc.org. 17. Department of Reproductive Health Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: kiariej@who.int. 18. Department of Reproductive Health Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: gaffieldm@who.int.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Postpartum family planning (PPFP) is essential for maternal and newborn health but is often not systematically addressed before or after childbirth. This article describes the development and field-testing of a PPFP counseling tool to support providers and women. METHODS: Participatory action research involving women, men, providers, policymakers, researchers, and contraceptive experts from Burkina Faso and the Democratic Republic of Congo. RESULTS: The tool consists of an A4-size flipchart with illustrations on the client side and clinical information and counseling tips on the provider side, and can be used during visits of the antenatal-delivery-postnatal care continuum. Qualitative results suggest that the tool is easily understandable, user-friendly, relevant, and useful with regard to providing PPFP information to clients, and respectful of clients' rights and choices. It may have a positive influence on clients' attitudes towards PPFP and their decision to use contraception. CONCLUSIONS: The tool holds promise in guiding a systematic discussion on birth spacing options among providers and clients. Its impact on contraceptive uptake requires further research. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: If proven effective, the tool could be disseminated to Ministries of Health and local, regional, and global partners to strengthen national family planning and maternal and child health strategies in low-resource countries.
OBJECTIVES: Postpartum family planning (PPFP) is essential for maternal and newborn health but is often not systematically addressed before or after childbirth. This article describes the development and field-testing of a PPFP counseling tool to support providers and women. METHODS: Participatory action research involving women, men, providers, policymakers, researchers, and contraceptive experts from Burkina Faso and the Democratic Republic of Congo. RESULTS: The tool consists of an A4-size flipchart with illustrations on the client side and clinical information and counseling tips on the provider side, and can be used during visits of the antenatal-delivery-postnatal care continuum. Qualitative results suggest that the tool is easily understandable, user-friendly, relevant, and useful with regard to providing PPFP information to clients, and respectful of clients' rights and choices. It may have a positive influence on clients' attitudes towards PPFP and their decision to use contraception. CONCLUSIONS: The tool holds promise in guiding a systematic discussion on birth spacing options among providers and clients. Its impact on contraceptive uptake requires further research. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: If proven effective, the tool could be disseminated to Ministries of Health and local, regional, and global partners to strengthen national family planning and maternal and child health strategies in low-resource countries.
Keywords:
Burkina Faso; Decision-making tool; Maternal and child health; Participatory action research; Postpartum family planning; Sexual and reproductive health; The Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Michelle Partogi; Simon Gaviria-Valencia; Mateo Alzate Aguirre; Nancy J Pick; Huzefa M Bhopalwala; Barbara A Barry; Vinod C Kaggal; Christopher G Scott; Maya E Kessler; Matthew M Moore; Jay D Mitchell; Rajeev Chaudhry; Robert P Bonacci; Adelaide M Arruda-Olson Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2022-08-22 Impact factor: 7.076