The family planning programmes, in India, has a turbulent history. Despite significant efforts to increase awareness, providing access and supply of modern methods, the uptake remain stubbornly low, majorly due to lack of knowledge, misperceptions, and exaggerated concerns about the safety of contraceptive methods. This calls for in-depth market research, prioritization and mechanisms to launch and introduce a new health product for building trust and earn receptivity. Although introducing a successful public health product has never been easy, it seems more difficult for governments to earn trust of the masses.
Udaan focused on increasing he adoption of the injectable contraceptive (DMPA) by young women to delay pregnancy and ensure health birth spacing. A Technical Support Unit (TSU) assisted the National Health Mission, Rajasthan in the roll-out of the injectable Contraceptive (Antara) services in the State and in implementing Mission Parivar Vikas (MPV) for improving Antara uptake.
Udaan contributed in accelerating the demand and uptake through
System Strengthening – to improve injectable uptake through track and follow-up of Antara users; capacity building of service providers and FLWs to strengthening counselling services; quality monitoring; developing protocols an Antara effect management and data analysis for decision making.
Increasing Demand – for injectable services through IEC campaigns for awareness creation; introduction of Nayi Pahal kit; orientation of ASHA for client segmentation and messaging to improve field level outreach; SMS and IVRS alerts to clients; e-counselling
Improving Access – through operationalization of health facilities up to sub-center level for injectable services and piloting injectable service provision at MCHN (VHND) sites.
Tools adopted
IMPACT
Rajasthan emerged as an exemplar in contraceptive injectable performance with highest number of Antara users (1406 per 100000 unsterilised eligible couples) in the country.
