Can Groups Improve Uptake of Family Planning, Sexual and Reproductive Health Services?

1 in 5 women in rural Ethiopia are unable to get the contraception they need.

Women and Children First, working with MSI Reproductive Choices, are testing the use of community health groups. These are adapted to improve uptake of family planning and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in the Amhara region.

Long-standing social norms often prevent women from accessing important services. These include condemning premarital sex or encouraging married couples to try for children soon after their wedding.

Common myths and limited knowledge about family planning affect women’s choices. Many believe contraception can cause infertility.

Overstretched public health services means health workers have little time to help women, and their partners, find a family planning option that suits them best.

Good sexual and reproductive health helps women meet their potential, and builds stronger, healthier and wealthier communities.

Teenagers having access to contraception reduces the risk of unintended pregnancies and girls having to drop out of school. Evidence shows that one year of secondary education can boost a girl’s future earning potential by up to 25 percent.

It enables young newly married couples to delay their first child until they are prepared to take up the responsibilities of raising a child, emotionally and financially. Furthermore, spacing pregnancies is safer for women’s bodies.

In addition, the coronavirus pandemic and recent conflict in Northern Ethiopia have resulted in increased difficulties. Women faced increased risks of gender-based violence, HIV/AIDs, sexually transmitted infections and faced a greater risk of unintended pregnancies as a direct result of the violence.

Women and Children First, with MSI Reproductive Choices, is working with women and girls. We aim to inspire them to come together and find their own local solutions to the barriers they face in accessing services.

Community ownership is vital, as this is a sensitive topic. To achieve sustainable change, communities need to be fully on board.

58 community health groups are running to improve family planning and sexual and reproductive health. The groups encourage women to share and explore the health problems they face in their lives.

Through guided discussions they learn from each other how these problems can be avoided or managed, if they, and their partners, can make informed choices.

The groups are facilitated by MSI-franchised family planning promoters. These professionals are knowledgeable in sexual and reproductive health. They are in a unique position to answer women’s questions on the topic and refer them to the specialised clinics. The services available are free to those who cannot afford them.

The approach was adapted with our partner, local government health authorities and community health workers to make sure it suits communities in Amhara.

Initial signs are positive. Women are finding the groups are a safe space to talk about issues and openly share their stories and concerns.

The project will finish in October 2022. Women and Children First will continue to support women, communities, and our partners in testing this innovative approach.

The charity is continuing to seek innovative ways to adapt and develop community health groups to engage and tackle some of their biggest health problems.