Increased demand for injectable contraceptives and overburdened health systems have led several countries to explore non clinic-based mechanisms for providing this method. In an effort to inform future policies and programs, the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and Family Health International (FHI) convened a Technical Consultation on Expanding Access to Injectable Contraception, held at WHO in Geneva, 15-17 June 2009.
The group of 30 technical and program experts found that community-based provision of progestin-only injectable contraceptives by appropriately trained community health workers is safe, effective, and acceptable. They concluded that evidence supports the introduction, continuation, and scale-up of community-based provision of progestin-only injectable contraceptives, provided as part of a family planning program offering a range of contraceptive methods.
In 2010, large international medical associations and family planning organizations added their endorsements to this brief: the International Confederation of Midwives, International Council of Nurses, and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), International Planned Parenthood Federation, Marie Stopes International, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the World Bank.
Conclusions from this consultation and background materials are listed here:
Resources and other information on community-based distribution of injectable contraception are also available:
