<p>Improving Voluntary, Rights-Based Family Planning: Experience From Nigeria And Uganda</p>

Abstract

BackgroundGrowing focus on the need for voluntary, rights-based family planning (VRBFP) has drawn attention to the lack of programs that adhere to the range of rights principles. This paper describes two first-of-their-kind interventions in Kaduna State, Nigeria and in Uganda in 2016–2017, accompanied by implementation research based on a conceptual framework that translates internationally agreed rights into family planning programming.MethodsThis paper describes the interventions, and profiles lessons learned about VRBFP implementation from both countries, as well as measured outcomes of VRBFP programming from Nigeria.ResultsThe intervention components in both projects were similar. Both programs built provider and supervisor capacity in VRBFP using comparable curricula; developed facility-level action plans and supported action plan implementation; aimed to increase clients’ rights literacy at the facility using posters and handouts; and established or strengthened health committee structures to support VRBFP. Through the interventions, rights literacy increased, and providers were able to see the benefits of taking a VRBFP approach to serving clients. The importance of ensuring a client focus and supporting clients to make their own family planning choices was reinforced. Providers recognized the importance of treating all clients, regardless of age or marital status, for example, with dignity. Privacy and confidentiality were enhanced. Recognition of what violations of rights are and the need to report and address them through strong accountability systems grew. Many lessons were shared across the two countries, including the need for rights literacy; attention to health systems issues; strong and supportive supervision; and the importance of working at multiple levels. Additionally, some unique lessons emanated from each country experience.ConclusionThe assessed feasibility and benefits of using VRBFP programming and outcome measures in both countries bode well for adoption of this approach in other geographies.

Knowledge translation strategies for policy and action focused on sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and well-being: a rapid scoping review

“…Just over a third (34%) were published between 2011 and 201523–53 and another 34% between 2016 and 2020 54–84. Thirty-two per cent of studies were quasi-experimental designs,23 25 26 28 31 32 34 35 44 50 51 59–61 67 68 75 76 83 85–92 with observational (22%),36 37 39 43 45 52 71 72 77 80 93–102 mixed-methods (17%),40–42 47 53 56–58 64 69 82 103–106 experimental (16%)24 27 38 62 66 74 78 79 107–112 and qualitative (11%)29 30 33 49 54 55 63 70 81 113 designs also identified. Two editorials were also included 65 73…”

“…Seven countries (ie, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Solomon Islands and Uganda) across 14% of studies represented humanitarian or highly fragile settings,37 42 54 58 59 61 70 72 85 99 according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 114. Eight per cent of studies included multi-income countries, with six targeting both low-income and middle-income countries (eg, Uganda and Peru),37 54 61 69 70 72 and one targeting middle-income and high-income countries (eg, Brazil and Chile) 106. As results were reported by country in these seven studies, we analysed these studies at each of the appropriate income levels.…”

Advancing Rights-Based Family Planning from 2020 to 2030

“…Other common lessons that emerged included the continued importance of promoting rights literacy among all stakeholders; the need to strengthen health systems; the importance of strong and supportive supervision to reinforce provider provision of rights-based information and services; and the need to work on rights at multiple levels, including policy, community, and individual levels to reinforce interventions at the service level. 22 …”

“…Other common lessons that emerged included the continued importance of promoting rights literacy among all stakeholders; the need to strengthen health systems; the importance of strong and supportive supervision to reinforce provider provision of rights-based information and services; and the need to work on rights at multiple levels, including policy, community, and individual levels to reinforce interventions at the service level. 22 Measurement. There have been advances over the past decade in monitoring and evaluating family planning programming from a human rights perspective to address the challenge that While many agencies and organizations work to integrate human rights into public health policies and programs ….…”

“…Two implementation studies using a similar data collection package sought to address all of the rights principles and standards (listed in Box 1) at the service delivery level in Nigeria and Uganda. 22,27 Other studies have addressed aspects of rightsbased family planning, including a study on contraceptive autonomy that yielded a measure that incorporates a rights perspective by defining contraceptive autonomy; 28 quality, rights-based counseling; 29,30 providing full, free and informed choice; [31][32][33] measuring quality of care; [34][35][36] reproductive empowerment; 37,38 and reproductive coercion. 39 Evidence is also emerging from studies on social accountability.…”