The After Stage in the Circle of Care for Postpartum Women: Lessons from Liberia, Tanzania, and Ethiopia

Abstract for Preformed Panel Presentation from the 2022 International SBCC Summit in Morocco: 

"The After stage of the Circle of Care applies SBC theory and practices to support clients in following through on counseling during the health contact (using contact to imply both facility and community-based health services). For postpartum family planning (PPFP) especially, there can be a lag between counseling and initiation of a method, as counseling happening during pregnancy, at childbirth or a postnatal contact may necessarily or by choice involve delayed start of contraception. Women who have not discussed PPFP with their partners frequently wish to before adopting contraception, especially where postpartum abstinence norms exist. Thus, PPFP is most effective when we embrace opportunities afforded by a continuum from antenatal to immunization visits in the extended postpartum period. In designing effective service integration, the Circle of Care guides us to anticipate women's needs at multiple visits, ideally linking FP discussions from one visit to another. Under USAID's Maternal and Child Survival Program, Jhpiego undertook several implementation research studies on PPFP in Liberia, Tanzania and Ethiopia, with varying models of PPFP integration. This presentation will tease out specific components of SBC design to support clients after a visit, facilitate self-care and encourage linkages from one visit to the next."