This special issue of GHSP, focused on long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) based on papers presented at the 2016 International Conference on Family Planning, provides testimony to the remarkable rise in the popularity of implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs), as well as some limited evidence on permanent methods. As these articles report, we see substantial uptake of LARCs in a wide variety of situations when they are provided in a quality fashion, including provision of a wide choice of methods. These situations include:
Public and private sectors
Postpartum
Postabortion
Difficult crisis-affected settings
Peri-urban slums
With vouchers for those particularly in need
Via a range of provider cadres.
Moreover, these articles provide insights specifically into the acceptability and provision of IUDs, which have long been recognized as underutilized.
WHAT IS NEEDED FOR GOOD LARC PROVISION?
For any health service to be successful, going beyond the technology or basic intervention alone is crucial. This lesson is particularly important for LARCs and permanent methods, …