Family Planning Counseling

Introduction :

Counseling plays a vital role in quality family planning services.

Effective counseling provided in a relaxed and comfortable environment
helps clients understand the contraceptive choices available and
provides guidance in deciding which contraceptive method is the best
for clients situation.

1
 Family Planning Counseling
COUNSELING:

• The face-to-face, personal communication in which one person helps

another for making decisions and then to act on them.

FP COUNSELING

• Is a process of communication, where the counselor gives accurate and

complete information to clients and assists them to make informed and
voluntary decisions about their fertility and contraceptive options.
2
 INFORMED CHOICE
• A voluntary choice or decision, based on the knowledge of all available
information relevant to the choice or decision. In order to allow people to
make an informed choice about family planning, counselor must make
them aware of all the available methods, and the advantages and
disadvantages of each. They should know how to use the chosen method
safely and effectively, as well as understanding possible side-effects.

• There are different ways of providing effective family planning

counselling.
3
Individual counselling:

• In most cases individuals prefer privacy and confidentiality during

communication or counselling with you.

• It is important to respect the needs and interests of a client by finding a

private room or place where you can talk with them

4
 Couple counselling:

• Couple counselling is when a counselling service to a couple

or partners together .

• This is particularly common when they are thinking of using

irreversible family planning measures, such as voluntary
surgical methods

5
 Group information sharing
• Group information sharing is used when individual counselling is not
possible, or if there are people in your village who are more
comfortable in a group .

• In this situation, after greeting everyone in a friendly manner, you

would explain to them the benefits of family planning, discuss briefly
common myths and mistaken beliefs about family planning, and then
inform the group about how to obtain appropriate contraception.

6
 Group information sharing CONT.............
• It is a cost-effective way of information sharing and answering general
questions, but people are not likely to share their more personal
concerns with you in this setting

7
CLIENTS RIGHTS
• Information
• Access
• Choice
• Safety
• Privacy
• Confidentiality
• Dignity
• Comfort
• Continuity
• Opinion
8
 Purpose of Counseling
Counseling helps clients to :

• Arrive at an informed choice of reproductive options

• Select a family planning method with which they are satisfied

• Use the chosen method safely and effectively

• Initiate and continue family planning

• Learn objective, unbiased information about available methods of

family planning
9
PRINCIPLE OF FAMILY PLANNING
• Maintain Privacy

• Ensure Confidentiality

• Be non –judgmental

• Focus on the needs of the client

• Informed voluntary choice

• Empowerment: It is a process that enables a person to identify his/her needs,

make decisions and exercise their rights.

• Use simple culturally appropriate and easy to understand language

• Use good interpersonal communication skills 10

PRINCIPLE OF FAMILY PLANNING CONTI.....
• Consent: The counselor should inform the client that consent in writing or by thumb
print is required for minilaparatomy, laparoscopy and vasectomy. This consent
indicates that the client has been full informed about the surgical contraceptive
procedure they have chosen.

• Be brief, simple and specific with key message

• Encourage the client to ask questions and express any concern

• Use AV aids, anatomic models and contraceptive samples

• Provide feedback, repeat key information

• Always verify with client has understood by having the client repeat the key
messages 11
Types of counseling
1) General counselling:

• The first contact usually involves counselling on general issues to

address the client’s needs and concerns.

• Give general information about methods, and clear up any mistaken

beliefs or myths about specific family planning methods.

• All this will help the client in your village arrive at an informed
decision on the best contraceptive method to use.

12
• During this session you would also give information on other sexual
and reproductive health issues, like sexually transmitted infections
(STIs), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and infertility

13
 Method-specific counselling:

• In method-specific counselling, HCP give more information about the

chosen method. In this case, explain the examination for fitness
(screening), and instruct on how and when to use the given method.

• Tell the client when to return for follow-up, and ask them to repeat
what you have said on key information.

14
 THE BRAIDED APPROACH

The acronym BRAIDED help to remember what to talk about when you
counsel clients on specific methods.

• It stands for:

B =Benefits of the method

R= Risks of the method, including consequences of method failure

A= Alternatives to the method (including abstinence and no method)

I =Inquiries about the method (individual’s right and responsibility to

ask) 15
 THE BRAIDED APPROACH CONTI....

D=Decision to withdraw from using the method, without penalty

E= Explanation of the method chosen

D= Documentation of the session for your own records.

16
Return/Follow up Counseling

• Problems & side effects discussed & managed

• Instructions should be repeated

17
 Steps of FP COUNSELing

•G = Greet the client respectfully.

•A = Ask them their family planning needs.
GATHER •T = Tell them the different contraceptive
options

Approac •H = Help them to make decisions for

choices
•E = Explain and demonstrate how to use the
h methods.
•R = Return/refer schedule and carry out a
return visit and follow up.

18
 G — Greet the client
• In the first case, give your full attention to your clients.
• Greet them in a respectful manner and introduce yourself after offering
seats.
• Ask them how you can help them.
• Tell them that you will not tell others what they say.
• If the counselling is in a health institution, you have to explain what
will happen during the visit, describing physical examinations and
laboratory tests if necessary.
• Conduct counselling in a place where no-one can overhear your
conversation.
19
 A — Ask the clients about themselves
• Help them to talk about their needs, doubts, concerns and any questions
they might have.

• If they are new, use a standard checklist or form from your Health
Management Information system to write down their name and age, marital
status, number of pregnancies, number of births, number of living children,
current and past family planning use, and basic medical history.

• Explain that you are asking for this information in order to help you to
provide appropriate information, so that they can choose the family
planning method which is the best for them. 20
• Keep questions simple and brief, and look at her/them as you speak.

• Many people do not know the names of diseases or medical

conditions. Ask them specific questions. Say, ‘Have you had any
headaches in the past two weeks?’, or ‘Have you had any genital
itching?’, or ‘Do you experience any pain when urinating?’ Do not
say, ‘Have you had any diseases in the recent past’.

• If you have seen the client(s) previously, ask if anything has changed
since the last
21
 T — Tell them all about family planning methods

• Tell them which methods are available.

• Ask which methods interest them and what they know about the
methods.

• Briefly describe each method of interest and explain how it works, its
advantages and disadvantages, and possible side-effects.

22
 H — Help
• Help them to choose a method
• To help them choose a method of contraception, ask them about their
plans and family situation. If they are uncertain about the future, begin
with the present situation.
• Ask what the spouse/partner likes and wants to use.
• Ask if there is anything they cannot understand, and repeat
information when necessary.
• When the chosen method is not safe for them, explain clearly why the
method may not be appropriate and help them choose another method.
• Check whether they have made a clear decision and specifically ask,
‘What method have you decided to use?

23
 E — Explain how to use a method
• After a method has been chosen:

• Give supplies if appropriate.

• If the method cannot be given immediately, explain how, when and where it will be
provided.

• For methods like voluntary sterilization the client will have to sign a consent form.
The form says that they want the method, have been informed about it, and
understand this information. You must help the individual understand the consent
form.

• Explain how to use the method.

24
• Ask the client to repeat the instructions.

• Describe any possible side-effects and warning signs, and tell them
what to do if they occur.

• Ask them to repeat this information back to you.

• Give them printed material about the method to take home if it is

available.

• Tell them when to come back for a follow-up visit and to come back
sooner if they wish, or if side-effects or warning signs occur.
25
 R — Appoint a return visit for follow-up
• At the follow-up visit:

• ask the client if she is, or they are, still using the method, and whether there
have been any problems.

• ask if there have been any side-effects.

• reassure the client/s concerning minor side-effects. Explain that the side effects
are not dangerous and suggest what can be done to relieve them.

• refer for treatment in the case of severe side-effects.

• ask the client if they have any questions

26
27
• The word ABHIBADAN approach
• The word ABHIBADAN represents one step in counseling.
• STEP 1: A” A refers to ABHIBADAN , greet
• STEP 2”Bhi” Refers to ‘’Bhina na thani sod puch garne “ asking
without discrimination
• STEP 3”Ba” Refers to “Baadha hataune,” to deal with problems and
concerns
• STEP “D” “Dutta chitta bhai sahyog garne ; help whole -heartly
• STEP 5 “ N” Refers to Namaskar gardai punnah auna anurodh garne”.
Bid goodbye and request to come again

28
 Self confidence

Empathy

Non-judgmental

Acceptance assurance
Qualities of Good Counselors
Genuineness

Trustworthiness

Confidentiality

Supportive attitude

Professionalism

29
Factors influencing FP counselling outcomes
• There are different factors that affect the quality and effectiveness of
communication in FP counselling:
• FP Service provider.
• Ability to engage in effective communication.
• His/Her technical Knowledge , skills , attitudes and behaviors.
• Personal values and beliefs of service provider on specific methods.

30
31