FRONTIERS Projects | Promotion of Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) and Breastfeeding Intervention Trial

FRONTIERS PROJECT
Promotion of Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) and Breastfeeding Intervention Trial

The Academy of Preventive Medicine examined the effectiveness of the introduction of LAM, the suppression of ovulation that occurs during breastfeeding, in reducing the rate of pregnancy 6–12 months following delivery. The project trained providers in LAM and lactation management counseling in both certified Baby-Friendly hospitals (World Health Organization definition) and noncertified hospitals. Results showed that knowledge of LAM as a contraceptive method was high among women interviewed after delivery, and 70 percent of all women reported that they planned to use LAM as protection from pregnancy. However, knowledge about LAM could be improved; only 35 percent of women knew all three criteria for effective LAM use. Only half of all women received family planning counseling, but 94 percent said they plan to protect themselves against a new pregnancy. At six months postpartum, the absolute numbers of LAM users and nonusers were roughly equivalent (2,391 and 2,628, respectively) but amenorrhea rates differed dramatically at 98 and 19 percent, respectively.

Location

Kazakhstan

Duration

November 2001–December 2002

Population Council researchers

Joanne Gleason, Celeste Marin

Non-Council collaborator

Shamil Tazhibayev (Academy of Preventive Medicine)

Donor

US Agency for International Development

Publications/Resources
Council researchers' names appear in boldface type.

2006
"Kazakhstan: Promote LAM for postpartum family planning and birth spacing," FRONTIERS OR Summary no. 56. Washington, DC: Population Council. (full text)

2004
Tazhibayev, Shamil, Toregeldy Sharmanov, Ayan Ergalieva, Oksana Dolmatova, Orynkul Mukasheva, Aina Seidakhmetova, and Raikhan Kushenova. "Promotion of lactation amenorrhea method intervention trial, Kazakhstan," FRONTIERS Final Report. Washington, DC: Population Council. (PDF, 903 KB)