Visit fhi.org in: Español | Français | Russian | Arabic
 Search fhi.org:
 
 
Globe
cover shot

Reproductive Health

Provision of Injectable Contraception Services through Community-Based Distribution

Implementation Handbook

Email this to a friend

Produced in collaboration with Save the Children USA, this step-by-step guide explains how to introduce injectable contraceptives — such as Depo Provera (or DMPA) — into an existing community-based distribution (CBD) program.

According to the World Health Organization, 36 of 46 African countries currently face critical shortages of doctors, nurses, and midwives. This deficit comes at a time when there is a growing demand for family planning services throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. This is especially true in rural areas, where modern contraceptive methods are scarce, and few trained personnel can provide these services. Providing injectable contraception to women through community-based distribution (CBD) programs is one way to meet this demand.

Based on the experience of two recent pilot projects in Uganda and Madagascar, the Implementation Handbook introduces a nine-step process and provides some helpful tools for the CBD of injectables.

Program managers, policy-makers, and others interested in providing greater access to family planning will appreciate the guidance offered by this handbook.

The handbook is available as a single file (PDF, 4.87 MB) or as two smaller files (below).

Contents

Part I: Front matter, Table of Contents, Nine Steps, and Key Points (PDF, 1.7 MB)

The Nine Steps

  • Step 1: Determine whether there is a need for the service
  • Step 2: Evaluate the potential costs of adding the service
  • Step 3: How to incorporate the service into national health policy and service delivery guidelines
  • Step 4: Promote the use of the injectable contraceptives and mobilize the community
  • Step 5: Set up a logistical system that ensures the steady provision of the service
  • Step 6: Train the community-based distributors to provide the service
  • Step 7: Install mechanisms that ensure the high quality of the service
  • Step 8: Plan to document the processes and the outcomes
  • Step 9: Ensure the successful scale up of the pilot project

Part II: Appendices (PDF, 3.09 MB)

  • Rapid assessment guide for site identification
  • Sample outline for the CBD of DMPA training
  • Training pre-test and post-test for the CBD of DMPA
  • Training curriculum: DMPA provision by community-based reproductive health workers in Africa
  • Checklist for screening clients who want to initiate DMPA (or NET-EN)
  • One-Year client-tracking card for the CBD of DMPA
  • Client referral form for community reproductive health workers
  • Contraceptive stock-control form for community reproductive health workers
  • Supervision checklist for the CBD of DMPA
  • Skills assessment form for the CBD of DMPA
  • Suggested reading and resources

This research to practice project was supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).