Evaluation of an Approach to Transition Postpartum Women to Standard Days Method Use

The project aimed to increase access and use of fertility awareness-based methods (FAM) within a broad range of service delivery programs using systems-oriented scaling up approaches. The project focused on the Standard Days Method (SDM), a FAM that involves tracking menstrual cycles to determine fertile and infertile days. The SDM includes a tool called the Bridge, which is designed to help providers offer the method to clients. The Bridge is a training tool that aims to improve providers' competencies in offering the SDM. The study was conducted in Rwanda, where IRH partnered with the Ministry of Health to evaluate the effectiveness of the Bridge in transitioning postpartum women to SDM use. The study involved a mixed-methods approach, including focus groups with providers, clients' interviews, and services statistics. Key findings from the study indicate that providers' competencies to correctly offer the SDM, including the Bridge, were a major challenge. Providers reported difficulties in understanding the Bridge and its application, which hindered their ability to offer the SDM to clients. However, providers perceived the Bridge as a useful tool for improving their knowledge and skills in offering the SDM. The study also found that demand for the Bridge was high, with many providers expressing interest in using the tool to improve their services. However, the transition from the Bridge to SDM use was a challenge, with many clients reporting difficulties in using the method correctly. From the client perspective, the study found that women who used the Bridge reported high levels of satisfaction with the tool and its application. However, some women reported difficulties in using the SDM correctly, particularly in terms of tracking their menstrual cycles. The study concluded that the Bridge is a useful tool for improving providers' competencies in offering the SDM. However, further training and support are needed to ensure that providers can effectively use the Bridge and transition clients to SDM use. The study also recommended that the Bridge be integrated into existing reproductive health programs to increase access to FAM. The study's findings have implications for the scaling up of FAM within reproductive health programs. The results suggest that the Bridge can be an effective tool for improving providers' competencies and increasing access to FAM. However, further research is needed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the Bridge and its impact on reproductive health outcomes. The study's methodology involved a mixed-methods approach, including focus groups with providers, clients' interviews, and services statistics. The study was conducted in Rwanda, where IRH partnered with the Ministry of Health to evaluate the effectiveness of the Bridge. The study's findings have implications for the scaling up of FAM within reproductive health programs, particularly in low-resource settings.