Scientific letters
Is 'planning' missing from our family planning services?
Sarah Crede, Jane Harries, Deborah Constant, Theresa Hatzell Hoke, Mackenzie Green, Jennifer Moodley
Abstract
Choice is essential in providing optimal family planning method to a client. Women in the communities studied have insufficient knowledge about safe, effective and long-acting contraceptive options and therefore are unable to make a fully informed method choice. To provide family planning clients with a choice of contraceptive methods, providers must be adequately trained and equipped to provide counsel about, and offer the full range of, methods available in the public health care sector. Family planning should be appropriate and well suited to the individual’s health and fertility desires. Given their superior effectiveness rates among typical users, long-acting and permanent methods are excellent options for clients who have achieved their desired family size or for those who have recently given birth and wish to plan future pregnancies, and therefore should be promoted and available to clients as part of comprehensive family planning services.
Authors' affiliations
Sarah Crede, University of Cape Town
Jane Harries, University of Cape Town
Deborah Constant, University of Cape Town
Theresa Hatzell Hoke, Family Health International
Mackenzie Green, Family Health International
Jennifer Moodley, University of Cape Town
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Cite this article
South African Medical Journal 2010;100(9):579-580.
Article History
Date submitted: 2010-02-02
Date published: 2010-09-07
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