Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #116083

Sarah L. Johnson, MA¹, Ward Rinehart, MA², Robert Lande², Vera Zlidar, MHS², Fonda Kingsley², and Ushma D. Upadhyay, MPH². (1) Reproductive Health/Family Planning, World Health Organization, Dept. of Reproductive Health & Research, 20 Avenue Apia, Geneva, Switzerland, (2) Center for Communication Programs, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 111 Market Place, Baltimore, MD 21202, 410-659-6300, rlande@jhuccp.org

The global handbook extends the evidence-based, consensus-building work of the World Health Organization to comprehensive, practical clinical guidance for family planning providers. A revision of the Essentials of Contraceptive Technology, the handbook is a collaboration of WHO, the INFO project at Johns Hopkins University, and an international team of experts from leading family planning organizations. These partners play complementary roles in formulating the evidence-based guidance and developing a consensus. The process began with experts identifying potentially controversial questions that needed special attention. INFO staff conducted research to answer these “consensus questions” and worked with experts to interpret and weigh the evidence. WHO and INFO enrolled experts in the both the medical issues and the realities of the clinic, which has helped to bridge the gap between medical research and the simple, clear guidance needed by family planning providers. The guidance is carefully worded to incorporate the varying perspectives of the experts, and the inclusive approach will encourage the experts' organizations to accept and endorse the handbook. In addition to the consensus process itself, the handbook makes two important contributions: It gives precise definitions for the frequencies of health risks attributable to each contraceptive, and it distinguishes side effects attributable to contraceptive methods from those that users report but that are not attributable. As the fourth cornerstone of WHO's reproductive health guidance literature, the handbook incorporates and complements the other three cornerstones: the Decision Making Tool for Family Planning Providers and Clients, Medical Eligibility Criteria, and Selected Practice Recommendations.

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