Family Planning for Healthy Living Project

According to the organisers, upon receiving a positive HIV diagnosis, most people are referred to support groups. These groups, which can vary from 30 to 100 members, generally meet monthly to discuss issues common to the group. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the use of support groups in health programmes is an empowerment intervention that improves individual decision making and can reduce clients' anxiety and depression. Among support group members, there is a need for information about reproductive rights and family planning to aid informed decision-making. In particular, PLHIV need information about dual protection to prevent unintended pregnancy and reduce the risk of becoming infected with different strains of HIV (known as reinfection) or passing HIV to infants.

In July 2007, the FPHL project conducted peer educator training for 75 PLHIV from support groups in four regions of Ghana. Prior to the workshop, selected family planning providers were trained in family planning for PLHIV and then were invited to participate in the peer educator trainings in which PLHIV were trained to use job aids displaying the various types of available contraception methods to deliver family planning messages at monthly support group meetings. Trained providers also attend the support groups to help answer questions and to encourage interested members to seek family planning services. Using dual family planning methods that prevent unintended pregnancy and lower the risk of HIV-reinfection, for example using the pill in combination with the male condom, is encouraged.

Peer educators are equipped with teaching materials. For example, a method card with samples of short- and long-acting methods, information about permanent methods, and considerations of family planning for PLHIV. One peer educator said, "The method card helps to explain the types of family planning methods very well so people can make decisions easily when they meet with a provide."

The organisers state that "champions" for family planning have emerged from the project. They include peer educators, providers, and support group members who have become role models for their peers and advocates for family planning in their communities. In addition, peer educators are able to bring information back into their own homes and families.

HIV/AIDS, Family Planning

According to the organisers of this project, the current HIV prevalence in Ghana is 1.9%. With fewer people affected by the disease, there can be greater stigma regarding sexuality and reproduction for PLHIV. Many PLHIV are told they should abstain from sex and childbearing or use condoms. Consequently, PLHIV fear the reaction of health workers if they seek family planning and/or discuss their fertility desires. Organisers say that many people who come to the support groups are unaware of family planning methods other than the male condom, and they need information particularly about dual protection to prevent unintended pregnancy and reduce the risk of reinfection or passing HIV to infants.