title: Introducing the standard days method: expanding family planning options in Rwanda.
abstract: The Standard Days Method is a simple fertility awareness-based method of family planning that helps women identify the days each cycle when they are most likely to conceive. Couples who wish to prevent pregnancy avoid unprotected intercourse on these days. The method was introduced in 13 sites in Rwanda, a nation with a high level of unmet need for family planning. This was the first time the method was introduced into regular service delivery, without the rigorous follow-up of a study setting. Users of the Standard Days Method were identified from clinic records and participated in interviews and focus groups. Community workers were also interviewed. Results confirm that the Standard Days Method is easy for providers to teach and for clients to learn and correctly use. The method attracts couples who are new to family planning, and is a valuable addition to the method mix offered in Rwanda.
authors.affiliation: 'Institute for Reproductive Health, Georgetown University, 4301 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008, USA. irbinfo@georgetown.edu
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blair
authors.forename: Irit
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sinai
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mukabatsinda
authors.forename: Félix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Muramutsa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods*; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012252:Natural Family Planning Methods / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012432:Rwanda; D012736:Sex Education / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult