The Effect of Integrating Postpartum Family Planning Intervention With Maternal & Child Health Services (PPFP MCH)

Jimma University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Modern Contraceptive Use; Postpartum Family Planning

Treatments: Behavioral: Providing training and Mentoring

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06965283

Jimma UNiversity (Other Identifier)

JUIH/IRB/0474/25

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to explore the effectiveness of integrated package interventions within maternal and child health services in improving modern postpartum contraceptive use in northeast Ethiopia. Its primary objective is to enhance the utilization of postpartum contraceptive methods to reduce unmet needs for these methods in the Amhara region of Ethiopia.

Full description

One of the advantages of this intervention study is that the provision of postpartum family planning (PPFP) services will not be limited to a few points of contact but will instead be integrated into the entire maternal care continuum. However, many studies in other countries have not used quasi-experimental or intervention study designs.

This pre/post-test interventional study with a control group employs extended observation and intervention periods, along with repeated measurements at the aggregate/population level. This approach will better capture changes in postpartum family planning (PPFP) integration and the factors influencing the use of integrated PPFP services.

This dissertation research project will contribute to various stakeholders. For health professionals and managers, it will enhance their knowledge and skills regarding the impact of integrating PPFP with maternal health services and its role in improving maternal and child health. It will also identify facilitators and barriers to PPFP integration with maternal and child health services.

Healthcare providers will gain leadership and communication skills in client-centered counseling and its effect on postpartum contraceptive use. The study highlights the importance of provider-led PPFP counseling and interventions for postpartum mothers visiting health facilities for maternal and child care services.

Reproductive-age mothers will benefit from this study by gaining access to modern contraceptives immediately after childbirth and up to 12 months postpartum. This will improve their health and their children's well-being by enabling them to space or limit births as desired. PPFP use, as shown in prior studies, significantly reduces maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality by preventing unintended pregnancies.

Donors and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can use these findings to strengthen healthcare systems through targeted support, including regular mentoring, logistics, and capacity-building training for providers and management teams.

Researchers will benefit from this study's findings as a baseline for future research, leveraging its recommendations and addressing its limitations. The project aims to assess the effect of integrating PPFP with maternal and child health services (e.g., postnatal care, delivery, PMTCT, immunization, and under-five childcare) and to identify the level of integration, facilitators, and barriers.

Policymakers, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, and regional health bureaus can use these findings to design strategies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly reducing unmet PPFP needs. One SDG targets improved maternal health through integrated maternal and child health services, which this study supports by promoting PPFP use and advancing maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

Enrollment: 607 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 49 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria

• Postpartum mothers who gave birth one year preceding the survey

• All postpartum mothers who come for maternal and child health services(PMTCT, PNC, labor, delivery, under 5 OPD care and immunization services and post-partum women units)

• Those mothers whose age are between 18- 49 years old Exclusion criteria

  • Those participants who were seriously ill
  • Mentally unable to communicate

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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607 participants in 2 patient groups

This arm will be given the multiple behaviour change intervention

Active Comparator group

Description:

The intervention package includes: 1. PPFP refresher training for maternal and child health (MCH) providers across all MCH units (labor/delivery, postnatal care \[PNC\], immunization, PMTCT \[Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission\], and under-five childcare clinics). 2. Weekly mentoring (internal and external) led by senior gynecologists, obstetricians, and midwives at intervention hospitals. Mentoring sessions use anatomical models to address knowledge and skill gaps. MCH service coordinators also participate in training sessions to facilitate coaching and monitoring. 3. Standardized training modules based on guidelines developed by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health. 4. Monthly supportive supervision of PPFP services, conducted jointly by MCH unit coordinators and hospital management teams. This ensures early identification of bottlenecks and prompt resolution of challenges. 5. Monitoring of contraceptive methods and other materials availability

Treatment:

Behavioral: Providing training and Mentoring

The non intervention group were not given the intervention. Standard care will be continued

No Intervention group

Description:

Usual care can be continued. No intervention can be given