Population Council Projects | Introduction of an Emergency Contraception (EC) Dedicated Product in Honduras

PROJECT
Introduction of an Emergency Contraception (EC) Dedicated Product in Honduras

In Honduras, Plan B—the country’s first dedicated emergency contraception (EC) product—was introduced in selected northern cities (San Pedro Sula and El Progreso) in 2004. The product was not available elsewhere in the country, not even in the capital city of Tegucigalpa.

In order to increase awareness of and access to Plan B, the Population Council collaborated with ASHONPLAFA (the Honduran affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation) to expand distribution through the organization's network of urban and rural clinics. The Council also provided technical assistance to ASHONPLAFA in its efforts to develop EC curriculums, job aids, and training materials for rural health care providers.

ASHONPLAFA procured 4,000 packets of Plan B and sold them at low cost in 27 clinics and 1,500 rural health posts. ASHONPLAFA and Council staff members also designed and printed 15,000 pamphlets, 8,000 brochures, and 2,000 posters targeting adults and adolescents. The materials were distributed in family planning clinics and strategic public locations (e.g., bars, universities, high schools, supermarkets, soccer stadiums, pharmacies, and Internet cafes).

Finally, EC job aids and training curriculums were developed for use among rural health care providers, and collaborators carried out a one-day EC training for 25 rural health promoters, each of whom would then go on to train 60 other health counselors. In the first months of Plan B distribution in ASHONPLAFA facilities, national sales increased from 119 in June 2006 to 328 in July 2006.

Location

Honduras

Duration

2005–2006

Population Council researchers

Sandra G. Garcia, Diana Lara

Non-Council collaborators

Suyapa Pavón (ASHONPLAFA)

Donors

The Compton Foundation