Use of Pregnancy Tests at Community Level Increases Uptake of Family Planning in Madagascar

In Madagascar, despite years of efforts to improve maternal health, the maternal mortality ratio remains as high at 487 deaths per 100,000 live births, whereas the average for developing countries is 235. Additionally, only 51% of pregnant women receive four antental care (ANC) visits, which is the recommended number to prevent and manage possible pregnancy complications. Thus, nationwide family planning (FP) and maternity initiatives have been introduced to improve the country’s maternal health outcomes. 

One such initiative is increasing the number of women using a modern FP method to limit or space their births. Increasing access to FP has several health benefits, including reducing rates of unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and sexually transmitted infections. Furthermore, delaying and spacing pregnancies reduces fertility rates and leads to improved maternal and child health outcomes.