MH services provide an invaluable opportunity to inform and educate women about FP. The present study examined interactions with health providers for MH services and the effect of FP information provision during these interactions on the postpartum use of modern contraceptive methods.
This study used midline data collected from 990 women who had delivered a live birth. Researchers asked these women a series of questions about their final delivery, including interactions with health providers during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period if they received FP information during these interactions and contraceptive use during the postpartum period.
Health providers often miss these opportunities. Despite a high proportion of women coming into contact with health providers when utilizing MH services, only a small proportion received FP information during these interactions.
The study concluded that the integration of FP with MH service could increase postpartum modern contraceptive use. With the launch of the National Urban Health Mission, there now exist appropriate policy and programmatic environments to integrate FP and MH services in urban settings in India. However, this will require a concentrated effort to enhance the capacity of health providers and encourage supportive supervision.
Reference: https://srh.bmj.com/content/42/2/107
