Family Planning

LAC SOTA

Miami, FL

March 15, 2001

Emergency Contraception (EC)

Yes, you can. – Discussing EC does not violate Mexico City

Policy– EC is not an abortifacient

New WHO data– Levonorgestrel - better efficacy and fewer

side effects

Why bother? EC is the ONLY post-coital contraception available.– High unintended pregnancy/unsafe

abortion rates– Increase in focus on dual protection and

condom promotion– Increase in services for victims of sexual

assault You don’t need a dedicated product.

Post Abortion Care (PAC)

PAC is a service delivery strategy built around three elements– emergency treatment of complications of

spontaneous or induced abortion– post abortion family planning couseling,

referral and services– linkages to other reproductive health

services

You may not need MVA. – If SC and D&C are available , MVA not

necessarily required. – Need to weigh the few advantages against

the introduction costs. It’s easier and more effective to

introduce PAC when there are viable post-partum contraception programs.– Contraception may be provided directly or

through referrals.

Involve men.– They want to participate.– Their participation increases the likelihood

of positive outcomes. PAC should be decentralized and

extended to outpatient services in health centers and posts.– MVA is needed for this.

Gender

What is gender?– The economic, social, political and cultural

attributes and opportunities associated with being male or female.

– The social definitions of what it means to be male or female vary among cultures and change over time.

Taking gender into consideration maximizes reproductive health outcomes.

USAID directives – ADS 200 & 300 series require integration

of gender in RFAs and RFPs The Interagency Gender Working Group

– What it is and how it can help you

Contraceptive Security

No product, no program Four elements

– Estimation– Resources– Procurement– Delivery

LAC Issues– Role of the private sector– Lead time– Leveraging resources for increased

program impact