Assessment of contraceptive services in a maternity unit of a district general hospital in the UK

Abstract

A survey was undertaken to assess the quality of contraceptive services provided to women delivering in a District General Hospital. Separate questionnaires were given to the women and the midwives giving the contraceptive advice. Response rate of the survey was 87%. Thirty eight per cent of women reported having some discussion on contraception during antenatal period. All the women had received contraceptive advises during the postpartum period. Eighty one per cent of women felt that sufficient information and enough time was given to discuss contraception. However analysis of questionnaires indicated that most received information only on short-term contraceptive methods. Out of 64 midwives surveyed, 52 had attended a family planning course. However 37 of them had attended the course at least 3 years earlier. Thirty eight midwives felt that they have adequate knowledge to give advice but all of them reported that they should receive further training. There should be provision for comprehensive discussion regarding contraceptive options during both antenatal and postpartum periods. Midwives require regular training in family planning.

Evaluation of Family Planning Counselling in North Jordan

“…25 Moreover, evidence from both developed and developing countries shows that high-quality care assists in reducing rates of contraceptive discontinuation and unintended fertility. 25,26 To the best of the author's knowledge, the current study is the first in Jordan to evaluate family planning counselling sessions according to the GATHER framework. 22 In the current study, the overall rate of adequate counselling was acceptable when considering all counselling sessions together, regardless of facility type; however, the situation was markedly different when considering the results for MOH clinics alone.…”

“…Previous research has indicated that improved conditions in family health facilities and the application of appropriate counselling protocols lead to improved family planning services. 26 In MOH clinics, women rarely received counselling services as they were seen on a 'walk-in' basis, with family planning services usually restricted to the provision of contraceptives. This may be partially due to the extremely large number of women seen by MOH clinics which far surpass those seen by other family planning providers in Jordan.…”

“…29 Previous studies have ascertained that specialised training increases providers' knowledge of contraceptives and their willingness to prescribe appropriate methods. 2,26,27,29 Continuous evidence-based training is therefore a promising approach for enhancing counselling services at MOH clinics in Jordan.…”

Review of Postpartum Contraceptive Practices at Chiang Mai University Hospital: Implications for Improving Quality of Service

“…This would be possible if family planning advice could be initiated antenatally. Concomitant family planning services given prior to delivery and during the immediate postpartum period have been proposed to give couples more time to carefully consider their reproductive options than those services given only in postpartum visit [19,20]. However, the frequency of antenatal counseling for family planning varies widely among institutions.…”

Woman's contraceptive needs and preferences in the postpartum period: an Italian study

“…It is important to advise women, who wish to avoid other pregnancies, to use IUD or alternative contraceptives with progestinics or barrier methods during breastfeeding (Van der Wijden et al 2008). Women should be informed and receive advice about postbirth contraception (Vikhlyaeva et al 2001) already during prenatal examinations and immediately after childbirth, so that they can continue in the postpartum period (Hiller et al 2002, Cwiak et al 2004, Rawal et al 2005, Engin-Ust€ un et al 2007, Glazer et al 2010, Lopez et al 2010b, Yee & Simon 2011, this is in need but often ignored (Ross & Winfrey 2001). Counselling should also involve partners (Rahmanpour et al 2010).…”