Quality of care in family planning services in rural Mozambique with a focus on long acting reversible contraceptives: a cross-sectional survey

• Published in: BMC women's health 2018-12, Vol.18 (1), p.201-201, Article 201
• Main Authors: Galle, Anna, Vermandere, Heleen, Griffin, Sally, de Melo, Málica, Machaieie, Lino, Van Braeckel, Dirk, Degomme, Olivier
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Attitude to Health; Birth control; Chi-square test; Contraception - methods; Contraceptive Agents - therapeutic use; Contraceptives; Counseling - organization & administration; Cross-Sectional Studies; Family planning; Family planning services; Family Planning Services - organization & administration; Female; Health facilities; Health services; Humans; Information sources; Internet; Knowledge; Long acting reversible contraceptives; Low income groups; Medical care quality; Methods; Mozambique; Patient satisfaction; Quality; Quality of care; Reproductive health; Rural areas; Rural medicine; Rural Population - statistics & numerical data; Satisfaction; Side effects; Surveys; Surveys and Questionnaires; Transplants & implants; Women's health; Womens health; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1472-6874; 1472-6874
• DOI: 10.1186/s12905-018-0692-z

In Mozambique, both the government and partners have undertaken efforts over the last decade to improve FP (family planning) services, especially through training health care providers and promoting the uptake of LARCs (Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives). Despite this, uptake of FP methods has not increased significantly. This study aims to examine women's knowledge on LARCs, including their main sources of information, and the quality of care of FP services in rural areas. We conducted a repeated cross-sectional study, interviewing 417 women leaving FP consultations in 15 health facilities in Maputo Province, Mozambique. The main quality outputs measured were: 1)discussed, preferred and received contraceptive methods, 2)information received on usage and side-effects, 3)client-provider interaction, 4)being informed about the need for a follow-up visit 5)health examinations conducted and travel time to the facility. In addition, knowledge on LARCs was measured among the clients as well as sources of information regarding FP methods. Taking into account the design effect of the study, Chi-square statistics were used to detect differences between groups and linear regression analyses to identify associations between sources of information and higher knowledge. We found that IUDs (intrauterine devices) and implants were discussed in 23 and 33% of the consultations respectively, but only administered in a very few cases(