| Project Name: | A Community Driven Model for Sustained Family Planning in Urban Slums |
| Nature of projects: | The project encompasses demand creation as well as service provision through a women entrepreneurship model in urban slums of 4 UCs of Rawalpindi. Community mobilizers, Noor worker are providing door-step counselling and short-term contraceptive services to Married Women of Reproductive Ages in Dhok Hassu, Dhok Mangtal and Fauji Colony. As an innovation, Noor also refer prospective clients to the identified private providers for Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARC) for which they will be paid a referral fee. The business model of this initiative is driving an increase in contraceptive prevalence rate and facilitating self-sustaining growth in income and livelihood. |
| Program Location: | Dhok Hassu and Dhok Mangtal |
| Target Outcomes: |
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| Period of Intervention: | 2017-18 |
| Partner’s Name: | Akhter Hammed Khan Resource Center |
| Partner’s Website: | www.ahkrc.org |
Highlights from the field
1. Capacity building of Noor Workers Conducted
Keeping in mind the overarching goal of increase in CPR by 10% in program areas, 36 Noor workers and 9 Social Mobilizers (6 Female and 3 Male) were hired. During the reported period, the basic element in sustainability of the project is the capacity building of the Noor workers who are actually part of this community. These skilled and trained women outreach will stay in the community well beyond the project duration. The project staff which includes Project Coordinator, Social Mobilizers and Noor Workers were given training on Entrepreneurship, Social Mobilization, Communication, Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives and Counseling. AHKRC also conducted 3 Refresher trainings on social mobilization for the Male SMS, on addressing Family Planning myths for all Noor, and training on using Tablets of 7 private providers have been included to join the Hamari Sehat Network, after signing of the MoUs.
2. Noor Workers Spearhead LARC Uptake
Thus far, Noor workers have visited a total 8636 households, higher than the target initially set for the First Quarter. A total 1590 women were referred to healthcare providers for different issues and services related to family planning, this includes 1150 news users. Referrals are confirmed after following-up with clients and collecting back the referral slips from Healthcare providers. So far, 526 individuals have been referred to different organizations for LARCs, among which most individuals opting for implant.
3. Health Camp Established
Health camps has also proved to be an effective strategy for converting more clients towards family planning, registering a total 43 new users and have succeeded of AHKRC office medical camp.
4. Community Awareness Services Arranged for Family Planning
Finally, a total 1118 community awareness session have also been conducted with primary focus to engage MWRAs and men for discussing about family planning and reducing myths and misconception about the method.
5. Cognitive Behavior Therapy-based Counselling Sessions organized
As part of the proposed 1-year intervention, AHKRC in partnership with NUST seeks to address unmet need and contraceptive uptake among urban poor through a holistic approach that creates demand for Family Planning in communities by providing information and counselling, overcoming myths and promoting Family Planning behavior as a norm through strategic behavior change approaches. During the Quarter 1&2, 1925 CBT based counseling session were conducted. This number is ahead of the target for the current quarter. Counseling is one the major component of the project where refusals, myths and misconceptions, and lack of knowledge is address through proper process. It has proved to be an effective strategy in achieving goals of the project.
6. Monitoring & Evaluation Visits Undertaken
To ensure swift and transparent implementation and transparency, AHKRC undertook 548 Social mobilizers supervision visits and an additional 512 number of Monitoring & Evaluation visits.