The INFO Project Blog

Use this space to exchange information and opinions about injectable contraceptives. We invite you to respond to the editorial that starts below. It presents a strategy for meeting the increasing demand for injectables. What else do programs and providers need to know and do to help women use injectables? Register for the site and you will receive an e-mail with your password. Then log in and share your experience.

John Stanback at Family Health International (FHI) comments that the grace period for DMPA should be a month or more rather than the current two weeks. To read his comment click on ”comment” above. To post a reply, please register and log in, which takes only a few minutes.

How family planning programs and providers can meet clients’ needs for injectables
Robert Lande and Catherine Richey

The increasing demand for injectable contraceptives challenges programs to expand access to good-quality services. Counseling is crucial–especially about changes in monthly bleeding caused by injectables. Providers need to give injections safely and avoid contributing to the estimated 64 million injections for all purposes each year in developing countries that risk transmitting infection. Communication programs need to provide accurate information about injectables and correct common misinformation, such as the false idea that injectables make women permanently infertile. Community distribution of injectables offers another contraceptive choice to women in isolated rural areas.

Help women make an informed choice and be informed users. Good counseling can be the difference between successful and unsuccessful efforts to increase access to injectables. Vietnam used the introduction of injectables to train providers in a client-oriented approach and strengthen their counseling skills. Developing an overall strategy for improving the quality of injectables services can be an opportunity for programs to improve counseling and the quality of care for all contraceptive methods.

To read the full editorial, click here