More articles from COMMENTARY
- “New Users” Are Confusing Our Counting: Reaching Consensus on How to Measure “Additional Users” of Family Planning
FP2020's overarching goal is framed around the new metric of “additional users.” This measure inherently captures population-level change but has been conflated with other ambiguous metrics, such as “new users.” Therefore, we propose a standard set of terms to provide more consistent measurement. Although commonly used service-level metrics cannot be directly compared to the population-level metric of additional users, we describe 2 modeling approaches that can allow service-level data to inform estimates of additional users.
- Accessible Contraceptive Implant Removal Services: An Essential Element of Quality Service Delivery and Scale-Up
Use of contraceptive implants has surged in recent years, yet emerging data show a deficit of service delivery capacity and coverage for implant removals. The number of projected removals needed in the 69 FP2020 focus countries in 2018 (4.9–5.8 million) is more than twice that estimated for 2015 (2.2 million). We must proactively plan and execute high-quality implant removal services in order to fulfill the exceptional promise of implants in meeting client needs and advancing toward FP2020 goals.
- Using Qualitative Methods to Validate and Contextualize Quantitative Findings: A Case Study of Research on Sexual Behavior and Gender-Based Violence Among Young Swazi Women
Nesting qualitative data collection methods within quantitative studies improves results by assessing validity and providing depth and context. Using data from 3 sources from Swaziland, we triangulate qualitative and quantitative findings to highlight how different methodologies produce discrepant data regarding risky sexual behaviors among young women. We found that women reported similar numbers of lifetime sex partners in all sources, but the proportion reporting multiple and concurrent partnerships was several times higher in qualitative interviews. In addition, qualitative data can provide deeper understanding of how participants, such as those experiencing gender-based violence, understood the experiences behind the quantitative statistics.
- Vouchers: A Hot Ticket for Reaching the Poor and Other Special Groups With Voluntary Family Planning Services
Vouchers can be a highly effective tool to increase access to and use of family planning and reproductive health services, especially for special populations including the poor, youth, and postpartum women. Voucher programs need to include social and behavior change communication with clients and quality assurance for providers, whether in the private or public sector. In the longer term, voucher programs can strengthen health systems capacity and provide a pathway to strategic purchasing such as insurance or contracting.
- Long-Term Investment for Infants: Keys to a Successful Early Infant Male Circumcision Program for HIV Prevention and Overall Child Health
Countries where adult male circumcision has reached high coverage should consider national early infant male circumcision (EIMC) programs where EIMC is feasible and culturally acceptable. Ministries of health that intend to set up a routine offer of EIMC should put systems in place to ensure that its introduction (1) does not compromise adult male circumcision programs, (2) does not weaken routine service delivery platforms, (3) is done safely, and (4) adheres to the rights of the child.
- Scaling Up and Sustaining Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision: Maintaining HIV Prevention Benefits
To maintain high circumcision prevalence, voluntary medical male circumcision programs in East and Southern Africa need to plan for sustainability and conduct transition assessments early on, rather than waiting until the saturation of priority targets at the end of the program.
- Investing in Family Planning: Key to Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
Voluntary family planning brings transformational benefits to women, families, communities, and countries. Investing in family planning is a development “best buy” that can accelerate achievement across the 5 Sustainable Development Goal themes of People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership.
- mHealth for Tuberculosis Treatment Adherence: A Framework to Guide Ethical Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation
Promising mHealth approaches for TB treatment adherence include:
Video observation
Patient- or device-facilitated indirect monitoring
Direct monitoring through embedded sensors or metabolite testing
To mitigate ethical concerns, our framework considers accuracy of monitoring technologies, stigmatization and intrusiveness of the technologies, use of incentives, and the balance of individual and public good.
- Fertility Awareness Methods: Distinctive Modern Contraceptives
Fertility awareness methods—the Lactational Amenorrhea Method, the Standard Days Method, and the Two Day Method—are safe and effective, and they have important additional benefits that appeal to women and men. Including these modern contraceptives in the method mix expands contraceptive choice and helps women and men meet their reproductive intentions.
- Social Entrepreneurship: A Case Study From Brazil
Through careful sourcing of commodities, cost-cutting efficiencies, and realistic pricing, 3 large contraceptive social marketing programs evolved into profit-making enterprises while continuing to make low-priced contraceptives available to low-income consumers on a substantial scale.