Learning for Adapting Lactational Amenorrhea Method LAM for

Learning for Adapting Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) for Family Planning in the Philippines Molly Chen, RTI International Presenting on behalf of USAID Luzon. Health Project RTI International is a registered trademark and a trade name of Research Triangle Institute. www. rti. org

Monitoring & Evaluation, Research, Learning, and Adapting

Monitoring & Evaluation, Research, Learning, and Adapting Our unique MEL approach, MERLA, is the intentional application of results-focused monitoring, evaluation, and research… …to inform continuous learning and adaptive management… …for improving program effectiveness and policy decision making

USAID Philippines Luzon. Health Project

Lactational Amenorrhoea Method (LAM) for family planning in the Philippines LAM is 98% effective at preventing pregnancy when all criteria are met 1. The mother is exclusively or nearly exclusively breastfeeding 2. The mother is amenorrheic 3. The baby is six months old or younger

The challenge

The solution (? )

Operations research Insert a photo of data collection

Operations research Information was tracked over a nine-month period among 521 postpartum women – LAM compliance – reasons for non-compliance – family planning referral – uptake of secondary modern family planning methods

Percent of women protected from pregnancy 100% Percent of women 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% At delivery 1 2 3 4 5 6 Postpartum month LAM criteria met non-LAM modern family planning 7 8

Percent of women protected from pregnancy 100% Percent of women 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% At delivery 1 2 3 4 5 6 Postpartum month LAM criteria met non-LAM modern family planning 7 8

Moving from learning to adapting

Moving from learning to adapting Increase client knowledge and understanding of LAM as a temporary m. FP method

Moving from learning to adapting Improve communication around LAM from health service providers during prenatal and postpartum family planning counseling.

Moving from learning to adapting Improve current family planning referral mechanism and service delivery.

Moving from learning to adapting Evaluate the effectiveness of the EBF/LAM/FP recording form in increasing knowledge and awareness.

This work was supported by the U. S. Agency for International Development. We thank our colleagues from USAID’s Luzon. Health Project who provided insight and expertise that greatly assisted this work. We would also like to show our gratitude to the Breastfeeding Support Group members for diligently collecting the data presented here. We are also immensely grateful to the women in Legazpi City for participating in this work.

For more information: Ellen Bautista Senior Health Technical Advisor ebautista@ph-luzonhealth. rti. org Rebecca Flueckiger Research Specialist, MERLA rflueckiger@rti. org