Long-Acting and Permanent Methods: Addressing Unmet Need for Family Planning in Africa
Elements: Well-trained, supervised, motivated staff, Strong leadership and good management, Communication and outreach strategies, Client-centered care
Region: Africa
Year: 2008
Author:Family Health International (FHI)
This package can help inform policy-makers, program managers, and donors on the benefits of and approaches for introducing or revitalizing long-acting and permanent methods (LAPMs) within national reproductive health and family planning programs in Africa.
Despite their many advantages, LAPMs are the least accessible and least used methods of family planning in sub-Saharan Africa. This class of modern contraceptive methods is comprised of four highly effective methods for delaying, spacing, or limiting births. These include the intrauterine device (IUD), contraceptive implant, vasectomy, and female sterilization. Increasing access to high-quality LAPM services will ensure that women and men can choose from a balanced mix of contraceptive methods and fulfill their reproductive intentions.
This new advocacy package contains a set of eight briefs. These briefs describe the current status of family planning in Africa, including evidence that suggests a substantial unmet need for LAPMs in the region. They address the unique advantages of LAPMs and benefits to individuals, couples and national programs. They also provide examples of several pilot and national efforts that have incorporated both traditional and innovative approaches to improve and expand LAPM provision. Four method-specific briefs complete the package.
The complete package is also available in French. To request hard copies in either language, send an e-mail to publications@fhi.org.
