Contraception, Contraception Behavior, Contraceptive Usage, Infant, Newborn, Diseases
Conditions
Brief summary
This is a mixed methods process evaluation of a programmatic intervention to integrate family planning and immunization services at health facilities in Lofa and Grand Bassa counties in Liberia. MCSP used a longitudinal, pair-matched design to monitor the effect of integrating immunization and FP services on utilization of FP and routine immunization services. In Lofa and Grand Bassa counties, 36 facilities were pair-matched to intervention and comparison sites based on predetermined criteria. After approximately 9 months of implementation, MCSP conducted a qualitative study employing key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) at intervention and comparison sites, and with district-, county-, and national-level MOH supervisors and managers.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALFamily planning and immunization service integration
The approach involved integration of immunization and family planning services at health facilities. Vaccinators provided brief FP messages one-on-one to mothers and offered a referral for same-day, co-located FP services at the end of each routine immunization visit. For women coming directly for FP, if women had an infant with them, FP providers asked to see the child's health card, checked the return date for the next vaccination and reminded the mother of the date to return. For women without their child or the child health card with them, FP providers reinforced the importance of vaccination, and encouraged the mothers to bring their child for all their vaccines and complete the immunization schedule in a timely manner. A job aid, referral cards, and IEC materials were introduced to support the integration process.
Sponsors
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
John Snow, Inc.
Jhpiego
Study design
Observational model
OTHER
Time perspective
OTHER
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* 18 intervention facilities in Lofa and Grand Bassa counties * 18 pair matched comparison facilities in Lofa and Grand Bassa counties
Exclusion criteria
* Facilities not included in the intervention or selected for pair matching
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Number of modern family planning users | November 2016-July 2017 |
| Number of Penta 1 doses administered | November 2016-July 2017 |
| Number of Penta 3 doses administered | November 2016-July 2017 |
Outcome results
None listed