Improving Family Planning Outcomes for First-Time Parents in the Greater Mahale Ecosystem of Tanzania (Brief)

This brief describes an initiative launched in Tanzania in 2018. Evidence to Action (E2A) Project and Pathfinder International worked together, focusing on young first-time parents (FTPs) in the Greater Mahale Ecosystem of Tanzania as a new component of the Tuungane Population, Health, and Environment (PHE) project.

The Evidence to Action (E2A) Project and Tuungane collected quantitative and qualitative data that provided insights into FP-related outcomes of interest, including uptake of modern contraceptive methods and the underlying issues—such as FP attitudes, communication, and decision-making—that influence informed, voluntary FP use.

Findings included the following:

• Voluntary use of modern contraceptive methods increased from 35% to 66% among FTM peer group members over the course of the intervention
• There was over a 750% increase in oral contraceptive use among FTM peer group members
• Of the peer group members who adopted FP over the course of the intervention, the majority were new FP users
• Qualitative findings indicate that the FTP intervention helped both married and unmarried FTMs deepen their understanding of the benefits healthy timing and spacing of pregnancy (HTSP)
• Peer group FTMs noted improved communications about FP with their partners
• FTM peer group members reported sharing their knowledge and experiences with others in their communities, suggesting a diffusion of key messages and ideas beyond those directly engaged in the program

Source: Evidence to Action (E2A) Project

Date of Publication: August 3, 2020