HIV positive women and couples have broad reproductive health needs that are not always met within HIV services. The integration of family planning (FP) services into Tanzania's HIV Care and Treatment Clinics (CTC) will address the fertility desires of CTC clients and ultimately result in the reduction of unintended pregnancies and HIV incidence. One strategy for integrating FP and CTC services is to use a "facilitated referral" model. Facilitated referrals are enhanced referrals for additional services that have been used in other settings and which are the preferred intervention strategy the Government of Tanzania would like to pilot test. This study will evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and costs of implementing a "facilitated referrals" intervention by examining FP use among female clients attending HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment Centers. This study will measure whether there is a reduction in unmet need for contraception among female CTC clients after the facilitated referral integration intervention has been implemented.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
864
Seven key steps carried out by CTC and FP staff to encourage completion of FP referral by CTC.
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Services
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Proportion of female CTC clients with unmet need for contraception
Time frame: Before intervention begins (baseline) and 3 months after full implementation of intervention
Proportion of female CTC clients screened on fertility intentions and unmet need for contraception
Time frame: Three months after full implementation of intervention
Proportion of female CTC clients provided counseling on contraception or safe pregnancy
Time frame: Three months after full implementation of intervention
Proportion of female CTC clients who received referral slip for FP services
Time frame: Three months after full implementation of intervention
Proportion of female CTC clients whose contraceptive use/fertility intentions are recorded on their patient record form
Time frame: Three months after full implementation of intervention
Proportion of female CTC clients who are accompanied to FP services
Time frame: Three months after full implementation of intervention
Proportion of female CTC clients who receive a FP method same-day or make an appointment for sterilization
Time frame: Three months after full implementation of intervention
Proportion of referrals to FP services that are tracked by the FP clinic
Time frame: Three months after full implementation of intervention
Incremental cost per clinic of adding facilitated referral process for FP to existing CTC services
Time frame: First month of implementation
Descriptive data on the experiences and perception of CTC and FP providers and supervisors on how the facilitated referral for FP was feasible and effective within CTC services
Time frame: Three months after full implementation of intervention
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