Abt’s Research Provides New Perspectives on the Use of Family Planning in Jordan
The recent decrease of Jordan’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR)—from 3.5 in 2012 to 2.7 in 2017 [1]— indicates the country might be on track to meet the government’s target of 2.1 by 2030. However, over the past 10 years, increases in family planning (FP) use have been tied to traditional methods, rather than more effective modern methods [2].
Being a global leader in state-of-the-art research, monitoring and evaluation, Abt Global’s release of two major studies addressing the issues mentioned above marked an important milestone. In 2018, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Abt-led USAID Health Service Delivery program carried out a quantitative study of FP and the Abt-led USAID Jordan Communication Advocacy and Policy (JCAP) project conducted a novel qualitative study, both offering programmatic insights to improve access to quality family planning services nationwide. The results of both studies helped confirm the validity of identified bottlenecks to improving the adoption and sustained use of modern FP methods in Jordan.
USAID Health Service Delivery conducted a longitudinal study on “Discontinuation of Modern Contraceptive Methods in Jordan.” This study presented the discontinuation rates over 12 months for the five most commonly used modern contraceptive methods in Jordan, namely intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, combined oral contraceptives (COCs), injectables and condoms. It identified the reasons for discontinuation—which are of programmatic importance—and identified potential risk factors that might lead to discontinuation with regards to each of the five methods. Consequently, the MOH could use the study results to improve family planning service provision.
Concurrently, the Abt-led USAID JCAP carried out behavioral economics (BE) qualitative research to understand the interactions between women and family planning providers, and address the behavioral barriers to the adoption and sustained use of modern FP methods by married women of reproductive age in the capital Amman. This research examined the underlying psychological, cognitive, social and emotional factors—including attitudes and biases—that influence FP providers’ care, and the ability of women to demand quality FP services. The study produced valuable insights about constraining behavioral factors concerning both clients and providers towards the adoption and sustained use of modern FP methods. The MOH and other national actors promoting the use of FP can use the BE study findings to address important gaps in the quality of FP counseling.
The results of Abt’s two studies were disseminated in a ceremony on March 7, 2019, under the patronage of His Excellency the MOH Secretary General. The ceremony was attended by representatives from the USAID Population and Family Health (PFH) Office, public and private health sector partners, international donor organizations and other stakeholders.
During this ceremony, USAID Population and Family Health Office Director Daniel Sinclair expressed his appreciation of the longstanding partnership with the MOH and pride in the work done to improve healthcare in Jordan.
His Excellency, the MOH Secretary General Dr. Hekmat Abu Alfoul thanked contributors to both studies and stressed their importance for the country, saying, “The MOH, with USAID support, will do its part to implement all recommendations based on these studies to improve health outcomes for women of reproductive age in Jordan.”
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[1] Preliminary results of the Jordan Population and Family and Health Survey (JPFHS 2017/18)
[2] JPFHS 2017/18
