Enhancing Access to Family Planning in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Family planning services continue to face significant challenges in reaching millions of women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite progress in contraceptive methods and reproductive health services, substantial disparities persist across regions. For instance, sub-Saharan Africa exhibits lower contraceptive usage rates of approximately 30% to 40% and an unmet need of around 20% to 25%. Conversely, Asia and Latin America demonstrate higher usage with rates of 60% to 70% and unmet needs of about 10% to 15%.

Researchers from the University of Adelaide, including Ph.D. student Farina Gul, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood, Associate Professor Zohra Lassi, and Dr. Gizachew A. Tessema from Curtin University, are investigating strategies to improve access by analyzing global scenarios. Their study, published in Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, aims to identify effective ways to integrate family planning with other health services, such as antenatal care, postnatal care, HIV/AIDS services, immunization programs, and post-abortion care.

Barriers like inadequate healthcare infrastructure, insufficient trained providers, weak referral systems, limited political commitment, and poor funding hinder service integration and accessibility. Additional challenges include logistical shortages, lack of timely equipment, and increased workload for health providers, which can reduce confidence and resistance to expanding service offerings.

Effective integration requires a comprehensive approach involving policy reform, organizational coordination, and clinical practice enhancements. It is key to promoting equity and improving health outcomes, especially in primary healthcare settings. The study also explores successful integrated care cases from low- and middle-income countries, aiming to glean insights and develop strategies that could be applied broadly.

This research underscores the importance of multi-level interventions and highlights how politically supported, well-resourced, and strategically integrated family planning services are essential to meeting the reproductive health needs of women in these regions.