Critics of the Peru MOH complained in 1997 that family planning providers did not give clients an informed choice of methods and exerted coercion in favor of voluntary surgical contraception (VSC). In 1998 the MOH improved its service delivery system and in 1999 an evaluation of the quality of care was implemented on a national sample of hospitals (N=19). A counseling model that considers 7 steps (greeting client, diagnosing her needs, helping her choose a method, screening her for contraindications, completing her information concerning VSC, performing informed consent routines, and following-up the client) guided the research. Six visits by simulated clients who asked for services and six home interviews of sterilized patients were completed per hospital. Providers attained high quality standardsin the pre-choice and choice phases of counseling. From 76% to 85% of cases reported a warm welcome and privacy during the consultations; being asked a number of diagnostic questions; receiving information about diverse reversible methods; and being invited to make a choice. Providers attained less satisfactory standards in the post-choice phases of counseling. Only 32% to 54% of cases reported being screened for contraindications, given specific information concerning VSC, asked to complete informed consent routines, and followed-up. Peru MOH providers are not exerting coercion but ought to strengthen their counseling strategy.
Learning Objectives: To obtain a comprehensive view of the quality of care offered by Peru´s Ministry of Health to sterilization patients and learn that whereas there are no evidences of coercion, services still are weak, particularly concerning the post-choice phases of counseling
Keywords: Family Planning,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Peru'sMinistry of Health
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.