Improving Family Planning Outcomes for First-Time Parents in the Greater Mahale Ecosystem of Tanzania (Brief)
In 2018, the Evidence to Action (E2A) Project and Pathfinder International Tanzania launched an initiative focusing on young first-time parents (FTPs) in the Greater Mahale Ecosystem of Tanzania as a new component of the Tuungane Population, Health, and Environment (PHE) project.
E2A and Tuungane collected quantitative and qualitative data that provided insights into FP-related outcomes of interest, including uptake of modern contraceptive methods and the underlying issues—such as FP attitudes, communication, and decision-making—that influence informed, voluntary FP use.
FINDINGS:
- Voluntary use of modern contraceptive methods increased from 35% to 66% among FTM peer group members over the course of the intervention
- There was over a 750% increase in oral contraceptive use among FTM peer group members
- Of the peer group members who adopted FP over the course of the intervention, the majority were new FP users
- Qualitative findings indicate that the FTP intervention helped both married and unmarried FTMs deepen their understanding of the benefits healthy timing and spacing of pregnancy (HTSP)
- Peer group FTMs noted improved communications about FP with their partners
- FTM peer group members reported sharing their knowledge and experiences with others in their communities, suggesting a diffusion of key messages and ideas beyond those directly engaged in the program
