PPFP Country Profiles from Reanalysis of DHS Data

This section includes descriptive country profiles for the extended postpartum period developed for key MCHIP and ACCESS-FP countries. These profiles demonstrate missed opportunities for integration of family planning by making use of existing Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data for women two years postpartum (or 1 year postpartum in the case of ACCESS-FP countries). The profiles highlight unmet need for family planning, short birth-to-pregnancy intervals, timing of key factors related to fertility return, the relation of family planning use to relevant maternal newborn and child health care services, as well as method mix. Traditionally, unmet need for FP is calculated by asking women if their current pregnancy or previous birth was wanted. However, in these analyses, unmet need is defined prospectively regarding the woman’s desired timing for her next pregnancy. Prospective unmet need is based on fertility preferences looking forward because is is most likely to predict a woman’s need for family planning in the extended postpartum period. These profiles serve as important advocacy documents at the country level and generate knowledge to inform future programming decisions related to postpartum family planning.

Resources