WHOThe updated landmark family planning handbook, released Tuesday, informs healthcare workers about protecting access to family planning services in the event of an emergency and provides policymakers with the latest information on contraceptive options.
“Family planning promotes self-affirmation, empowerment, as well as health and wellbeingand reducing maternal and neonatal mortality through the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion”. speak Pascale Allotey, Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, WHO.
Drawing on lessons learned, it also extends guidance to women and young people at high risk of HIV infection.
‘An important resource’
Experience from recent outbreaks shows that family planning services can be severely impacted during emergencies.
In the early stages of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, about 70 percent of countries interrupt report for these vital services – increases the risk of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
Handbook advocating continued provision of family planning support services during a pandemicincluding through broader access to self-administered contraceptives, pharmaceutical distribution, and multi-month supplies.
“This updated family planning handbook is an important resource, helping health workers to support contraceptive users around the world making informed decisions,” said the WHO senior official. make informed choices about the contraceptives that are right for them.”
self-injection
Self-administered contraceptives including condoms, birth control pills, some diaphragms, spermicides and, most recently, the option of self-injecting progestin-only birth control pills, known as DMPAs, are now available. can be used safely just under the skin instead of injected into a muscle.
Many women prefer private and non-invasive injectable contraceptives that only need to be acted upon two to three times – making this option potentially more absorbable.
“Updates The recommendations in this Handbook suggest that almost any family planning method can be used safely by all women.and accordingly, all women should have access to a variety of options that meet their unique needs and goals in life,” said lead author Mary Gaffield.
Family planning supports health and reduces maternal and infant mortality by preventing unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions.
High risk concentration
For the first time, the 2022 edition includes a chapter dedicated to guiding family planning services for women and young people at high risk of HIV, including those living in high-risk areas. HIV infection and people with multiple sex partners or their regular sex partners are living with HIV.
Although only condoms protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, all contraceptives – with the sole exception of the spermicide nonoxynol-9 – currently is considered safe for women and young adults at high risk for HIV because they have not been found to increase the risk of HIV transmission or infection.
For people at high risk for HIV, the guidelines state that all testing, counseling and first-line and referral clinical care should be provided as part of family planning services.
The lead author emphasizes: “Family planning services can be provided safely and affordably so that no matter where they live, couples and individuals can choose between safe and effective family planning methods”.
Adolescent pregnancy is a global phenomenon with well-known causes and serious health, social and economic consequences.
Extra points added
The handbook also incorporates the latest WHO guidance on cervical cancer and pre-cancer prevention, screening and treatmentall of which can be provided through family planning services; management sexually transmitted infections; and Family planning in postpartum care.
Now in its fourth edition, this handbook is the most widely used reference guide on the subject globally, with more than a million copies distributed or downloaded to date.
It is supplemented by the medical eligibility criteria tool for contraceptive use, which is also downloadable as dedicated app.
