Partnering with Private Providers to Promote Long-Acting Contraceptives in Urban Bangladesh: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study
4508719.pdf

Authors

Laura Bates, University of Leeds Rumana Huque, Association for Research and Knowledge Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh Prashanta Bhowmik, Association for Research and Knowledge Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh Rebecca King, University of Leeds Helen Elsey, University of York James Newell, University of Leeds John Walley, University of Leeds
CONTEXT

Bangladesh's pluralistic health system has diversified opportunities for clients to obtain family planning, but public-private partnerships could improve access to services, particularly in urban areas.

METHOD

Sixteen providers, clients and program managers were interviewed to assess perspectives on a family planning orientation and demand-side financing referral program tested in Mirpur, Bangladesh. The 15-month program, conducted in 2015-2016, was designed to encourage private providers to identify non–family planning clients with unmet contraceptive needs, promote choice of a broader contraceptive mix and refer clients to one of three public or nonprofit clinics for provision of their preferred method. Use of the system was assessed by tracking referral slips.

RESULTS

Most stakeholders reported that it was acceptable and feasible to discuss fertility intentions with clients presenting for non-family planning matters. Providers were able to alleviate clients' misconceptions and fears concerning long-acting contraceptive methods, but were unable to address patriarchal and religious barriers. The majority of referrals were done by private providers who had a pre-existing relationship with one of the family planning clinics and referred clients to that clinic; overall, documented referrals accounted for 13% of provision of reversible and permanent methods at that clinic during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

Providing private practitioners with appropriate training on contraceptives and referral could improve Bangladeshi women's access to long-acting and other contraceptive methods in urban areas, and may be useful for other types of health workers. Further study of suitable referral systems is warranted.

Author's Affiliations

Laura Bates is researcher, Rebecca King is lecturer, and James Newell and John Walley are professors–all at the Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, UK. Helen Elsey is senior lecturer, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, UK. Rumana Huque is executive director, and Prashanta Bhowmik is research associate–both at the Association for Research and Knowledge Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Guttmacher Institute.
Volume 45
December 2019

First published online:

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1363/45e8219
https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1363/45e8219