Service delivery tools and job aids for family planning providers
FHI 360 has developed and published service delivery tools and job aids for health care providers — practical materials to use when serving clients in clinical or community-based settings. The tools reflect the latest international recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Screening Checklists for Family Planning Services
FHI 360 has developed a set of six easy-to-use provider checklists. Five of the checklists are designed to screen women who want to initiate use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs), injectables (DMPA or NET-EN), the copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD), a levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) or contraceptive implants. The sixth checklist helps providers rule out pregnancy for women who are not menstruating at the time of their visit. The checklists are consistent with the latest medical eligibility criteria published in 2015 by the World Health Organization (WHO). The checklists also include guidance for providers whose clients may be eligible for emergency contraception.
- Checklists for Clients Who Want to Initiate Combined Oral Contraceptives
- Checklists for Screening Clients Who Want to Initiate DMPA (or NET-EN)
- Checklists for Screening Clients Who Want to Initiate Use of the Copper IUD
- Checklists for Screening Clients Who Want to Initiate Use of the LNG-IUS
- Checklists for Screening Clients Who Want to Initiate Contraceptive Implants
- How to be Reasonably Sure a Client is Not Pregnant
- Job Aid: How and When to Use the Pregnancy Checklist and Pregnancy Tests
FHI 360 has worked with ministries of health to adapt the provider checklists so they align with national family planning guidelines and local language and style. For country-adapted checklists, please see:
- Kenya screening checklists for safe contraceptive use and to rule out pregnancy
- Uganda screening checklists for safe contraceptive use and to rule out pregnancy
- India screening checklists for safe contraceptive use and to rule out pregnancy
- Nigeria screening checklists for safe contraceptive use and to rule out pregnancy
Screening Checklists for Family Planning Services: Mobile Apps
As part of the Advancing Partners and Communities (APC) project, FHI 360 developed a set of five mobile applications (apps) based on the family planning screening checklists. The apps — the first of their kind — are available in English and French. They can be viewed on a computer or on any internet-enabled mobile device using Google Chrome, Safari or Microsoft Edge.
To download the checklist as a native app on your phone or tablet, choose the appropriate link below and click on the “download” icon on your device. Once the app is downloaded, it can be accessed without an internet connection. To view or download the apps in French, set the locale of your device to “France.”
- Click here to access the Pregnancy Checklist mobile app
- Click here to access the Implant Checklist mobile app
- Click here to access the DMPA Checklist mobile app
- Click here to access the IUD Checklist mobile app
- Click here to access the COC checklist mobile app
Quick Reference Chart for the WHO Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use
2016 — Produced by FHI 360, this chart is based on the World Health Organization's Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (revised 2008, 2010, 2015, 2016). It serves as an at-a-glance job aid for providers to determine whether clients with certain medical conditions may initiate or continue using combined oral contraceptives (COCs), depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), contraceptive implants, the copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD) or a levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS).
Contraceptive Method Considerations for Clients with HIV including those on ART: Provider Reference Tool
2017 — Produced by FHI 360, this chart is based on the World Health Organization's Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (2016). It serves as an at-a-glance resource for clinical providers to determine whether clients with HIV, including those on antiretroviral therapy (ART), may initiate or continue using common contraceptive methods. The tool provides information for providers on how the effectiveness of different types of hormonal contraceptive methods is affected by interaction with antiretroviral drugs and guidance on how to counsel clients who take hormonal contraceptives and antiretroviral drugs.
NORMAL Counseling Tool for Menstrual Bleeding Changes (job aid)
2017 — Misconceptions about contraceptive-related menstrual bleeding changes contribute to discontinuation and non-use of family planning. This tool will help health care providers address women’s fears and misconceptions and increase their awareness of the potential benefits of reduced menstrual bleeding or amenorrhea.
Counseling Script for Contraceptive Injectables for Family Planning Providers
2022 — This script for facility- and community-based health providers to counsel family planning clients on injectable contraception was developed and tested in southern Malawi.
Job Aids for the Reinjection of Injectable Contraceptives
2009 — Research conducted by FHI 360 in South Africa revealed that approximately half of injectable contraceptive users were late for their reinjections, and a substantial portion of those who arrive within the approved grace period are denied a reinjection and told to come back when they are menstruating. FHI 360 and IntraHealth International have field tested and co-branded several job aids designed to help health care providers better serve these women.
A Guide to Effective and Efficient Provision of Combined Oral Contraceptives (COCs)
2008 — This easy-to-use tool assists health workers of all levels in the implementation of four evidence-based strategies recommended by the World Health Organization to increase uptake and continuation of COCs.
Read more information about FHI 360’s family planning expertise.