Ways to improve the quality of family planning services include better staff training and client counseling, as well as offering clients a range of methods from which to choose. Also in this issue of Network, a contraceptive update reviews how different methods affect menstrual bleeding, an important consideration when selecting a method.
In this issue
Contraceptive Update: Menstrual Changes Influence Method Use
Modern contraceptive methods can profoundly affect menstrual bleeding patterns, with disturbances ranging from heavier bleeding, to prolonged or irregular bleeding, to no bleeding at all. These common bleeding disturbances from method use can discourage starting or continuing to use a method. A related article, How to Manage Bleeding Disturbances, discusses ways to minimize this contraceptive side effect.
A "Client Perspective" Helps Improve Services
Quality care means looking at services from the client's perspective. Clients have a right to accurate information, good access to services and a range of available method options, as well as safety, privacy, confidentiality, dignity and comfort. Included are specific recommendations for quality family planning services from the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Clients Prefer Method Choices
Clients are more likely to be satisfied and to continue practicing family planning when they have adequate information about methods and several types of methods from which to choose, and can make decisions without pressure or coercion. Related articles discuss informed choice, a process in which clients make decisions based on adequate information, and informed consent, in which clients give permission to undergo a procedure, take medication or participate in a research study after receiving information about risks and benefits.
Training Involves Many Factors
The effectiveness of staff training to improve family planning services depends upon many factors: who is trained and where, how the information is taught and whether the training is later reinforced. Interactive Techniques Enhance Training offers suggestions to enhance training.
Guidelines Require Comprehensive Steps
In recent years, nearly 50 developing countries have begun developing new or revised national guidelines on family planning services. Writing the guidelines, however, is only a first step. Disseminating them and training providers about why and how to use the guidelines are essential. Also, guidelines must be updated regularly.
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