Follow-up on training of indigenous systems of medicine practitioners in non-clinical methods of family planning in Uttar Pradesh India.

This document presents a follow-up study on the effectiveness of the Indigenous Systems of Medicine a PRIME-assisted pilot project which provides nonclinical training to 1200 Indigenous Systems of Medicine Practitioners (ISMP). The purpose of the November 1997 to January 1998 follow-up was to determine 1) the changes in access to family planning services provided before and after training; 2) the changes in the number of family planning clients provided with services before and after training; and 3) whether training skills had been retained for 3 months after training. An increase from 26% to 100% in general family planning counseling from 9% to 85% in the provision of condoms from 6% to 97% in the provision of oral contraceptive pills and from 26% to 62% in referrals were reported following training. Client service records were not provided by majority of ISMP participants although general family planning counseling and condom service provision were effectively retained. Understanding of sociocultural issues must be used as a guideline in the adaptation of nonclinical family planning training for ISMP to be able provide safe and effective family planning services and referrals.