Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39362664›Full record

ArticleGlobal health, science and practice2024

Documenting the Provision of Emergency Contraceptive Pills Through Youth-Serving Delivery Channels: Exploratory Mixed Methods Research on Malawi's Emergency Contraception Strategy.

Holly M Burke, Philip Mkandawire, Mary Mulombe Phiri, Fannie Kachale, Kristen Little, Caroline Bakasa, Luwiza Puleni, Eden Demise, Paola Letona, Gwyneth Austin and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Global health, science and practice, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Holly M BurkeFHI 360, Durham, NC, USA. hburke@fhi360.org.
Philip MkandawireFamily Health Services, Lilongwe, Malawi.
Mary Mulombe PhiriReproductive Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi.
Fannie KachaleReproductive Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi.
Kristen LittlePopulation Services International, Washington, DC, USA.
Caroline BakasaPopulation Services International, Lilongwe, Malawi.
Luwiza PuleniFamily Health Services, Lilongwe, Malawi.
Eden DemisePopulation Services International, Washington, DC, USA.
Paola LetonaPopulation Services International Latin America, Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Gwyneth AustinFHI 360, Durham, NC, USA.
Moses KumwendaThe LIFE Foundation, Blantyre, Malawi.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionEmergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are effective and can be used safely at any age repeatedly within the same cycle. They are often favored by youth yet are underutilized. Private facilities can increase ECP access but present barriers including cost. Identifying effective public-sector ECP distribution models can help ensure equitable access. The Malawi Ministry of Health developed a strategy to improve ECP access in 2020. We documented ECP provision through select public, youth-serving channels recommended by the strategy: general and youth-specific outreach, paid and unpaid community health workers (CHWs), and youth clubs.

methodsWe conducted this mixed methods study from November 2022-March 2023 in 2 rural districts (Mchinji and Phalombe) implementing the strategy. We conducted qualitative interviews with 10 national stakeholders, 46 providers, and 24 clients aged 15-24 years about ECP service delivery. Additionally, 25 providers collected quantitative tally data about clients seeking ECPs. We analyzed qualitative data using grounded theory and quantitative data descriptively.

resultsStakeholders and providers reported ECP uptake increased in geographies where the strategy was implemented, especially among youth. Providers documented 3,988 client visits for ECPs over 3 months. Of these visits, 26% were from male clients, 36% were from clients aged younger than 20 years, and 64% received ECPs for the first time. Across channels, youth club leaders and unpaid CHWs reported the most client visits per provider and served the youngest clients. However, no ECPs were dispensed during 29% of visits due to stock-outs. While many providers were supportive of youth accessing ECPs, most held unfavorable attitudes toward repeat use.

conclusionECP access should be expanded through provision in the studied channels, especially youth clubs and CHWs. However, to meet demand, the supply chain must be strengthened. We recommend addressing providers' attitudes about repeat use to ensure informed method choice.

Indexed as

Contraception, PostcoitalHealth Services AccessibilityAdolescentCommunity Health WorkersContraceptives, PostcoitalFemaleHumansMalawiMaleQualitative ResearchRural PopulationYoung AdultContraceptives, Postcoital

Identifiers

PMID39362664
PMCPMC11521556

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.