Supportive and Unsupportive Cases of Counseling for Family Planning

For the NUHRI program there was research conducted to determine a need to address counselor bias by using phones with educational content then, depending on uptake by the midwives, expand both content and functionality.  Although a complete FGD is scheduled in late March 2014, indications based on usage data and the results for the pilot test show enthusiastic acceptance of the approach.

Development Process Focus of the first phase of the DL system (counseling) was based on NURHI midline evaluation findings of high prevalence of myths and misconceptions and provider biases. A contents development workshop, script writing meetings and reviews were held. Entire educational module was developed that included: introductory videos, scenario based counseling videos, pre and post tests and a resource library that included relevant reference FP materials in current use.

Mobile phone suitability tests were conducted and phone models selected (android based phones with at least 5” diagonal screen size and other hardware and software requirements)

Deployment Process All NURHI trained service providers (midwives and doctors, excluding CHEWS) were considered for deployment. Providers at both FP clinics and Integration points (labour ward, ANC, Post abortion care) were all considered.

Field/Pilot Testing 2 cities - Ibadan in the North and Kaduna in the South - were selected with 10 service providers included in the pilot test from each city. A one day orientation was conducted in each city for the providers where they were taken through the registration process and the use of the phone. They were then left to operate the phones independently for a week after which a FGD was conducted. Results and feedback were provided and used to fine-tune the application.