Family Planning in IDP Camps in Afghanistan

Men in Afghan refugee (IDP) camps make health decisions relating to women accessing health services, including family planning (FP). Men and women want smaller families but lack knowledge and skills to achieve this. Knowledge, change in male attitude, empowerment of women and a viable franchise model are required to achieve wide benefit from FP (smaller family size, and healthier mothers with reduced mortality from unwanted pregnancy and less chronic anemia; plus secondary benefits from longer breast feeding of infants, better weight gain and increased mother infant interaction. The conventional educational approach of teaching and empowering women has limited success where health decisions are made by men; in this situation men must be the target. Our innovative model is to engage men through men’s groups in IDP camps where respected elders and Imam’s will be engaged to share the facts and endorse the religious acceptance, financial and health benefits of FP. By guiding attitudinal change more spousal dialogue, access to FP by women and the ability to barter for supplies will occur. Skill training for traditional birth attendants (TBA’s) and construct of a franchise model will promote TBA dialogue with women re FP. Research underscores these as valid concepts; we will contribute evaluation currently lacking. Afghanistan has high maternal/infant mortality/morbidity; IDP camps have traumatized individuals with limited health services with great need for FP education/counsel.