Increasing Contraceptive Prevalence

• Overview
• Objectives
• Activities
• Outputs
• Impact
• Future Plans
  

Overview

This project was developed in partnership with the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN), to address the decline in contraceptive prevalence and awareness that has occurred in Nigeria over the last decade. The project is aimed at increasing approval for family planning, correcting misinformation and misconceptions about modern family planning methods, and increasing modern contraceptive usage among young adults. Project activities are being carried out in 12 Nigerian states, 6 in the north and 6 in the south. The role of JHU/PCS is to strengthen capacity and improve the services of PPFN and other local NGOs through IPC/C activities. In addition, demand for family planning is promoted through nationwide mass media advertising and community mobilization activities. The project targets men and women of reproductive age, with special emphasis on young adults aged 15-30 years in urban and peri-urban areas.

Objectives

Communication Objectives

• To increase approval of family planning.
• To increase knowledge of specific family planning methods among young couples (15-30).
• To help establish family planning as a priority on the agenda of policy makers and increase awareness of actions needed.
• To increase use of family planning, particularly at selected sites and/or geographical areas.

Capacity Building/Institutional Objectives

• To strengthen the ability of PPFN and others to design, implement, manage, and evaluate behavior change programs.
• To improve the interpersonal communication, counseling, and outreach skills of PPFN providers.
• To enhance collaboration among PPFN, government, and NGOs working in family planning.
  

Activities

• Public service announcements (PSAs): Final production, broadcasting, monitoring, and evaluation. The PSAs had the tagline "Plan Your Tomorrow Now."
• Development of IEC materials (posters, leaflets). Development of family planning methods booklet and counseling cards.
• Advocacy visits to opinion leaders and media establishments.
• Conducted two IIPC/C workshops for service providers of PPFN and other collaborating service delivery NGOs in 12 states.

Outputs

• Produced television and radio promotions for Northern and Southern Nigeria with supporting posters in English and four Nigerian languages (Hausa, Igbo, Pidgin, and Yoruba).
• Trained 72 counselors (36 each from north and south) in IPC/C techniques (trainees were PPFN staff and staff of other collaborating NGOs).
• Family planning counseling aids (cue cards, FP handbooks) for health care providers and local clinics.
• Distributed dual protection counseling materials and personal risk assessment tools to providers.

Impact

• Increased attendance at PPFN clinics.
• Increased involvement and support of husbands in FP methods decisions.
• Normalizing modern FP methods among young married couples.

Future Plans

• Development and distribution of posters.
• Development and distribution of FP methods cue card and handbook.
• Continued broadcast of TV and radio spots.
• IPC/C trainings for more service providers.
• Development of advocacy kits targeting policy makers.