Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning PubHealthInfo

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PubHealth.info® (a subsidiary of PakMed) presents scientific information mainly based on abstracts of articles published on a variety of public health issues/topics, particularly encompassing population planning, disease prevention, maternal and child health, and communicable and non-communicable diseases (like HIV AIDS, malaria, etc) that are affecting a significant portion of population in developing and developed countries. Here you can find abstracts of articles published on a variety of public health topics under category "Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning". Contraception (birth control) is a regimen of one or more actions, devices, or medications followed in order to deliberately prevent or reduce the likelihood of a woman becoming pregnant or giving birth. Therefore contraception is the utilization of various and sundry surgical procedures, devices, practices, agents, or drugs with the intention of preventing conception or impregnation (pregnancy). Methods and intentions typically termed birth control may be considered a pivotal ingredient to family planning. Birth control is a controversial political and ethical issue in many cultures and religions, and although it is generally less controversial than abortion specifically.

YEAR: 1994

CATEGORY: Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning

TITLE

Measuring the quality of family planning counseling in Ghana: integrating

observation, interviews and transcript analysis.

AUTHORS

Kim YM; Amissah M; Ofori JK; White K

SOURCE

[Accra], Ghana, Ministry of Health, Health Education Unit, 1994 Nov. vii, 22 p.

Project Report

ABSTRACT

The quality of counseling and interpersonal communication in family planning (FP) consultations in Ghana was

assessed using the techniques of quantitative and qualitative analysis. Data were gathered in 1991 from

observations of 97 sessions with clients (who were also interviewed when leaving the session) and from the

transcriptions of audiotapes of 42 of these sessions. These data were complemented by information collected as

part of a situation analysis in 1993 in Ministry of Health clinics where 154 new client interactions and 284 continuing

client interactions were observed. The analysis was based on GATHER, a counseling training scheme developed

by The Johns Hopkins University Population Communication Service. According to this scheme, the acronym refers

to the following counseling actions: greet the client, ask about FP needs, tell the methods available, help the client

decide upon a method, explain how to use the method, and return visits should be scheduled. This report presents

details on the three methods of data collection and analysis and results in terms of the sociodemographic

characteristics of providers and clients, each of the GATHER aspects, and the use of communication materials. It

is concluded that the FP providers in Ghanaian Ministry of Health clinics, in general, offered clients a choice of

methods and explained various methods clearly. Most providers responded to clients concerns and corrected any

misconceptions. The providers greeted clients warmly and asked key questions in two-thirds of the interactions.

Most told clients about oral contraceptives (90%), foam (90%), condoms (84%), IUDs (77%), and injectables (61%).

The providers presented a variety of methods but only some related this to clients' previous knowledge or particular

situation. Providers failed to check whether clients understood their lengthy explanations about methods and rarely

discussed the reasons why clients made one choice over another. Half of the clients received explanations about

method use, and 78% received return appointments. Providers found the use of contraceptive samples and flipcharts

helpful. It was recommended that providers' skills can be strengthened in the areas of determining particular client

need and prioritizing contraceptive information to make it more relevant to a particular client. They also needed more

training to discern clients' comprehension and in ways to empower the client to make a choice. (PubHealth.info

Document ID: CONT2T 4090-06)

PubHealth.info NOTE: The author(s) of this article titled, "Measuring the quality of family planning counseling in

Ghana: integrating observation, interviews and transcript analysis.", is(are) Kim YM; Amissah M; Ofori JK; White K.

The source of this article is "[Accra], Ghana, Ministry of Health, Health Education Unit, 1994 Nov. vii, 22 p. Project

Report". This article was published in 1994 in English language(s). (PubHealth.info® Document ID: CONT2T 4090-

06. All rights reserved with PubHealth.info) PIN: 9090

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