Family Planning Supply Environment in Kinshasa, DRC: Survey Findings and Their Value in Advancing Family Planning Programming

Kayembé, Patrick; Babazadeh, Saleh; Dikamba, Nelly; Akilimali, Pierre; Hernandez, Julie; Binanga, Arsene; Bertrand, Jane T.

doi:10.9745/ghsp-d-15-00298

Cited by 11 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…In a context where total market approaches have been leveraged to increase access to a wide range of FP methods in DRC [21] , the specific case of EC used in this research suggests that private pharmacies operating in Kinshasa present an opportunity to reach existing and new FP users with diverse and innovative contraceptives that could address women's specific needs and expand the method mix available in DRC. Future research needs to better define the characteristics and range of private outlets that could qualify for this type of task-shifting opportunities, as well as the policy and training efforts required to leverage their potential role as delivery points of FP services, rather than solely contraceptive providers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The provision of emergency contraception in Kinshasa's private sector pharmacies: experiences of mystery clients

et al. 2018

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ObjectivesRecent programmatic and research efforts on addressing gaps in health systems of low-income countries increasingly see task shifting, i.e. the provision of healthcare by non-medically trained personnel, as a possible solution to increase the availability of specific services and commodities. In Kinshasa, private-sector pharmacies are the primary and preferred provider of family planning (FP) methods, and thus constitute a potential resource for expanding access to specific contraceptives. The objective of this study is to explore selected pharmacies' readiness to serve women seeking emergency contraception (EC).Study designThis study used a mystery client (MC) methodology to visit 73 pharmacies in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Trained interviewers posed as novice EC users and asked specific questions to evaluate the pharmacy staff's technical knowledge of EC and their attitudes towards EC clients. The results of the MC visit were recorded immediately after the MC left the pharmacy.ResultsFindings indicate that more than two-thirds of EC providers were knowledgeable about EC dosage, timeframe, and side effects, and 90% were deemed helpful towards novice EC users. Rare but glaring misconceptions about EC timeframe (20% of providers) and long-term side effects (4% of providers), as well as frequent stock-out (22%) and cost issues highlight priorities for programmatic improvements.ConclusionsAs new service delivery strategies are explored to complement the uneven network of health structures in DRC, this study suggests that, given proper training and integration in FP programming, private-sector pharmacies have the potential to meet specific contraceptive needs for women living in Kinshasa.Implication statementPrivate pharmacies included in study sample in Kinshasa (DRC) have adequate family planning (FP) service skills to provide clients with emergency contraceptive pills.These higher-end outlets constitute an opportunity for expanding access to FP, although, under total market approaches, a more diverse range of drugs shops should be investigated.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The provision of emergency contraception in Kinshasa's private sector pharmacies: experiences of mystery clients

et al. 2018

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“…Having previously studied physical access to contraceptive services [7], for the current research we purposely selected two HZs that were densely populated, centrally located, and had better-than-average access to contraceptive services: Bumbu and Kalamu II. In February 2015 ten focus groups were conducted, based on quota sampling (evenly divided between Bumbu and Kalamu II).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A 2013 facility-based survey—attempting to identify the “universe” of health facilities providing FP services—yielded 395 sites that reported to offer FP [7]. Subsequent mapping demonstrated gaps in access but showed 1 to 26 FP facilities per health zone (HZ) in all 35 HZ of the city, with a mean of 11.3 health facilities per HZ.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Barriers to Modern Contraceptive Use in Kinshasa, DRC

et al. 2016

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Recent research from Kinshasa, DRC, has shown that only one in five married women uses modern contraception; over one quarter have an unmet need for family planning; and almost 400 health facilities across Kinshasa report that they provide modern contraception. This study addresses the question: with reasonable physical access and relatively high unmet need, why is modern contraceptive prevalence so low? To this end, the research team conducted 6 focus groups of women (non-users of any method, users of traditional methods, and users of modern methods) and 4 of husbands (of users of traditional methods and in non-user unions) in health zones with relatively strong physical access to FP services. Five key barriers emerged from the focus group discussions: fear of side effects (especially sterility), costs of the method, sociocultural norms (especially the dominant position of the male in family decision-making), pressure from family members to avoid modern contraception, and lack of information/misinformation. These findings are very similar to those from 12 other studies of sociocultural barriers to family planning in sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, they have strong programmatic implications for the training of FP workers to counsel future clients and for the content of behavior change communication interventions.

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“…“Hybrid” facilities also exist whereby the government owns the structure and pays the personnel, but an NGO is responsible for training personnel and providing contraceptive commodities. 6 In addition to registered pharmacies, many informal pharmacies (drug shops) also provide one or more contraceptive methods, such as condoms.…”

Section: Prospects For Improving National Family Planning Coveragementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Health zones that benefit from the support of one or more external donors are far more likely to have a range of modern contraception and trained personnel available than others; a study in Kinshasa demonstrated that health facilities receiving external family planning support had higher levels of output than those that did not. 6 Moreover, each health zone is subdivided into aires de santé (health areas). Even the large-scale donor-funded integrated health projects may cover only a portion of the aires de santé in a given health zone.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Family Planning in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Encouraging Momentum, Formidable Challenges

Kwete¹,

Binanga

Mukaba

et al. 2018

Glob Health Sci Pract

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Formidable challenges: uncertain political situation, cultural norms favoring high fertility, a thin patchwork of service delivery institutions, logistical issues in a vast country with weak infrastructure, and low capacity of the population to pay for contraceptive services. Encouraging progress: increasing government and donor support, openness to progressive service delivery policies, innovative programming including robust social marketing and initiatives with nursing schools and the military, strong collaboration among stakeholders, high unmet need suggesting strong latent demand for family planning, and an increasingly balanced method mix including long-acting methods.

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Family Planning Supply Environment in Kinshasa, DRC: Survey Findings and Their Value in Advancing Family Planning Programming

Cited by 11 publications

References 7 publications

The provision of emergency contraception in Kinshasa's private sector pharmacies: experiences of mystery clients

The provision of emergency contraception in Kinshasa's private sector pharmacies: experiences of mystery clients

Barriers to Modern Contraceptive Use in Kinshasa, DRC

Family Planning in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Encouraging Momentum, Formidable Challenges

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