A recent Global Health: Science and Practice (GHSP) article examined the use of fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) in Ghana to gain knowledge on women who use them to avoid pregnancy. Few studies in low- and middle-income countries have estimated the use of FABM. Understanding who is using these methods contributes to family planning/reproductive health program professionals’ ability to support women in choosing their preferred methods.
Despite the widely agreed importance of measuring QoC, client perspectives are often missing from routine monitoring and studies. The Evidence Project has developed a package of validated, evidence-based tools and training materials to support governments and implementing partners in measuring and monitoring QoC. Measuring QoC from the clients’ perspective will help programs celebrate successes, target areas for improvement, and ultimately improve uptake and continuation of voluntary contraceptive use.
This article features key insights from one of the authors of a recent study, which examined standardizing measurement of contraceptive use among unmarried women. The study found that sexual recency (the last time women report being sexually active) is an important indicator to determine unmet need and contraceptive prevalence among unmarried women, but not among married women.