Elements of Family Planning Success

This study investigates barriers affecting access to family planning in conflict-affected settings and provides policy recommendations. Because of the severe social instability that they experience, refugee/IDP women are likely to have irregular access to family planning and little control over their sexual encounters. These factors place women in conflict situations at an increased risk for unintended pregnancies, poorly spaced or high-risk pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/HIV. Furthermore, adolescents are at a heightened risk of being sexually abused and exploited—increasing their need for a range of complementary services.

Recognizing the importance of a sound policy environment and the operational guidelines necessary for putting policies into practice, the USAID | Health Policy Initiative, Task Order 1, conducted a study in Sierra Leone in 2007 to: (1) explore refugee/IDP family planning needs before, during, and after conflict; (2) determine the root causes of the barriers to quality, accessible services; (3) build capacity of local groups to analyze operational barriers to services; and (4) devise policy actions and recommendations for overcoming barriers—that are applicable both in-country and in other conflict-affected countries.