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Checklist for Screening Clients Who Want to Initiate Combined Oral Contraceptives (COCs)Family Health International, 2008 |
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Research findings have established that combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are safe and effective for use by most women, including those who are at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and those living with or at risk of HIV infection. However, for some women with certain medical conditions — such as breast cancer, ischemic heart disease, or stroke — COC use is not recommended. Women who wish to use COCs should therefore be screened for such medical conditions in order to determine if they are appropriate candidates for this method. Based on the recently revised recommendations from Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (WHO, 2004; updated 2008), Family Health International (FHI) has developed a simple checklist for use by both clinical and nonclinical health care providers, including community-based distributors, to help screen clients who have made an informed decision to use COCs. The COC Checklist consists of 17 questions designed to identify medical conditions that would prevent safe COC use or require further screening. It also provides further guidance and directionsbased on clients' responses. Accompanying the checklist is a Training and Reference Guide (PDF, 662 KB) designed for program managers, administrators, trainers, and service providers interested in learning how to use the checklist to screen women who want to initiate use of COCs. Designed to serve as both a training and reference tool, the guide is composed of two parts: a training module and a collection of essential, up-to-date reference materials on COCs. The COC Checklist is available in: English (PDF, 153 KB), French (PDF, 101 KB), Spanish (PDF, 99 KB), and Romanian (PDF, 146 KB). The Training and Reference Guide for a Screening Checklist to Initiate COCs is available in English (PDF, 662 KB) and French (PDF, 945 KB). To request hard copies of the checklist or guide, please send an e-mail to publications@fhi.org. To access endorsed, country-adapted COC Checklists, click on the following links: |
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