CEMOPLAF, an Ecuadorian family planning organization, conducted operations research to test a model of integrated care for youth. The model uses the Reproductive Health Awareness (RHA) framework to integrate gender issues, fertility awareness and sexuality into family planning counseling. Interventions tested consisted of provider training, structured supervision and use of a clinic history form. This study utilized a pre-post test, control group design, with four clinics in each group. The extent to which physicians and counselors integrated RHA into their counseling was measured using a structured observation form with 13 physicians and 12 counselors during a year. Additionally, qualitative and quantitative analysis was conducted of transcriptions of audiotapes of 60 adolescent-provider interactions in each group before and after the intervention. Results suggest that providers in the experimental group improved their ability to integrate gender, sexuality and fertility awareness over time and that project interventions improved quality of care. Providers were more likely to integrate topics related to self-care (50%) and fertility awareness (61%), than those related to sexuality (25%) and gender (10%). The ability of providers to facilitate rather than impose decisions increased from 15% to 58%.
Methods utilized to measure RHA integration will be compared in terms of their reliability, validity, feasibility, and usefulness in improving quality of care. Recommendations will be made for the development of indicators and methods to measure integration of sexuality, fertility awareness and gender issues into family planning services.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to: 1. Identify two methodologies to measure quality of care and the integration of reproductive health issuesinto family planning consultations for youth. 2. Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each methodology. 3. Describe three interventions to facilitate integration of gender, sexuality and fertility awareness into family planning services
Keywords: Adolescents, International, Quality of Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: CEMOPLAF
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.