Measuring the Quality of Family Planning

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By: Sarah Hodin, MPH, CD(DONA), LCCE, National Senior Manager of Maternal Newborn Health Programs, Steward Health Care

In October 2015, researchers, programmers and policymakers gathered in Bellagio, Italy to discuss strategies for improving, standardizing and simplifying the measurement of quality in family planning. The resulting papers, along with commentaries from Dominic Montagu and Kim Longfield, were published by Metrics for Management in late 2016. The papers in this series provide an opportunity to review and learn from what has already been done and work towards consensus on a more effective measurement strategy moving forward…read more

Systematic Reviews of Financing Mechanisms for Family Planning

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By: Sarah Hodin, MPH, CD(DONA), LCCE, National Senior Manager of Maternal Newborn Health Programs, Steward Health Care

While substantial progress has been made over the last few decades in family planning access and utilization, additional efforts are needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal target of ensuring “universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.” Studies in Family Planning recently published a series of open access systematic reviews assessing these different financing mechanisms for family planning in low- and middle-income countries…read more

The Role of Measurement in Tracking Progress When Scaling Up Maternal Health Interventions

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By: Ann K. Blanc, Vice President/Director, Poverty, Gender, and Youth program, Population Council; Katharine J. McCarthy, Staff Associate, Population Council

As attention in maternal health shifts to a new emphasis on ending preventable maternal mortality (EPMM) and addressing inequities, the tracking of progress will remain important. A key aspect of these future efforts will require the valid measurement of not only contact with maternal and newborn health services but also coverage of key interventions that reflect the quality of services received…read more