Partnering with the private sector to expand family planning in rural communities

Background: Uganda has a rapid population growth estimated at 2.7% in 2010. However, rates of Family Planning use are still low, with a 24% contraceptive prevalence rate, and a 41% unmet need for family planning among married women – a rate that increases for rural areas. Rural areas have a total fertility rate (TFR) of 7.0, compared to 4.3 in urban areas. Methodology: In response to the need to expand family planning and reproductive health services to remote rural areas, the USAID Health Initiatives for the Private Sector (HIPS) Project reached out to companies in several rural areas in Uganda. These areas were far from public sector health facilities, and often the only health infrastructure nearby was the company clinic. The HIPS Project made the business case to employers for why FP/RH services and products are important to employees, dependents and community members, and then established partnerships for the provision of FP/RH services and products, including education materials, outreach events, counseling, contraceptive products, and long-term and permanent methods (LAPMs) such as IUDs and tubal ligation. These partnerships included a 1:1 match with project resources and a company-provided clinic for the provision of free health services to employees and community members. Results: 56 partner clinics are now providing FP/RH services and/or products. 3,951 new acceptors and 11,559 couple years of protection have been provided, amounting to a 100% increase in FP uptake. 3,194 peer educators trained. 350 community outreach activities conducted, reaching 135,870 people with FP messages.