Contribution of Multipurpose Community Health Workers to the Use of Family Planning Services in Cameroon

Abstract

Jugnia Bertin*, Atah Jude, Awouoyiegnigni Benjamin, Mbono Arthur, Sazang Georges and Moluh Inoussa

Introduction: Family planning (FP) is a key intervention for improving reproductive health, preventing unwanted pregnancies and thus reducing the risks of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. In 2022, Cameroon joined the FP2030 initiative, which aims to increase modern contraceptive prevalence and reduce unmet need for FP. In the community, the Multipurpose Community Health Worker (MCHW) is responsible for informing and educating families and individuals about the benefits of family planning, as well as referring patients to health facilities for contraceptive methods.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of MCHW interventions on the use of family planning services.

Methodology: The study covers the whole of Cameroon, more specifically the 190 health districts in which the MCHWs had to advise and refer clients in the context of FP. The research method is quantitative. Data were analysed using SPSS Version 25 and a linear regression model was estimated to capture the effect of MCHW interventions on the use of family planning services.

Results: The results show that 193,307 clients agreed to take a contraceptive method. The model estimates show that, in the context of FP, counselling and referral of clients by an MCHW to health facilities (p=0.0000) have a significant and positive influence on women's adherence to contraceptive methods.

Conclusion: FP counselling sessions enable clients to opt for a better contraceptive method. We believe that capacity building for MCHWs on modern FP contraceptive methods should be the subject of a specific allocation of resources so that these actors can continue to raise awareness and administer certain contraceptive methods at community level.

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