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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Rebecka Lundgren, MA¹, Suzanne M. Schweikert, MD MPH², Katie Lavoie, MA¹, and Kym Hodge, MPH². (1) Institute for Reproductive Health, Georgetown University, 4301 Connecticut Ave., N. W., Suite 310, Washington, DC 2006, (202) 687-1392, lundgrer@georgetown.edu, (2) Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties, 1075 Camino del Rio South #200, San Diego, CA 92108

Research has shown that addressing couples improves family planning use, yet most programs serve only women. While resource and ethical concerns preclude a broad refocusing of programs, it may be possible to integrate a “couple perspective” into services. This paper presents formative findings from research to test whether incorporation of a couple approach into counseling results in improved contraceptive use and satisfaction. In-depth interviews were conducted with personnel in two Planned Parenthood clinics to explore interest in this approach and identify feasible strategies. Questionnaires were administered to 100 clinic clients and their partners to assess their preferences regarding partner involvement and obtain their opinion on how clinics should address couple issues. Data on actual provider practices regarding incorporating couple issues into services from 48 mystery client visits will be presented. Results show that providers and clients value male involvement, yet struggle with the challenge of promoting women's autonomy while encouraging shared responsibility for contraceptive use. Providers are unclear how to address couple and sexuality issues during family planning counseling, yet are comfortable including men in other services such as pregnancy counseling. Men frequently accompany their partners in the clinic waiting room and also seek STI services. Providers and clients express concerns with practical barriers such as protecting confidentiality, decreasing patient waiting time and making services “partner friendly”. The couple approach developed based on these results, as well as successful approaches from international programs, will be presented. The next phase of this study will test the effectiveness of this intervention.

Learning Objectives: After the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to

• Describe the attitudes of family planning providers, clients and their partners regarding couple services.
• Assess the competency of family planning providers in addressing couple issues.
• Discuss how to balance women's autonomy with shared responsibility for contraceptive use.
• Describe and assess the potential feasibility and acceptability of a couple approach to family planning services.

Keywords: Family Planning, Partner Involvement

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation