Background

Long acting reversible contraceptive program is a key to prevent unintended pregnancy, unbalanced human population growth, and unsafe abortion. The quality status of long acting reversible contraceptive service in Ethiopia is not well studied. Therefore, aimed of the study was to evaluate quality status of long acting reversible contraceptive services in Mekelle city health facilities, Tigray region, Ethiopia.

Method and Materials

Embedded case study design with both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods was employed. Five health facilities were selected randomly among the 12 health facilities, 342 clients randomly selected for exit interview and 150 were selected for client provider interaction observation. Quality status of long acting reversible contraceptive were evaluated using dimensions of resource availability, service compliance, and client satisfaction using stakeholder agreed indicators and judgment matrix. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 and descriptive statistics were performed. The qualitative data were analyzed by ATLAS.ti.

Result

Among the five health facilities included in this study two of them had the infrastructure (separated class, access of pipe water, clean latrine) whereas three health facilities had a shortage of access to pipe water and separated class. Three of the health facilities were equipped with basic equipment two health facilities had a shortage of blood pressure cuff, Sthetescopes, updated guideline, information education materials. Of the total 150 client provider interaction observed only 31.3% client were assessed for contraindications, clients counseled about side effects and use of dual method were 49% and 49% respectively. Overall, availability resource was (72%) below average, compliance (69%) below average and satisfaction (89%) good. The overall quality status was (77%) average.

Conclusion

The overall quality status of long acting reversible contraceptive has been judged as
“average”. However, shortage of infrastructure, basic equipment’s, supplies and insufficient information given to clients about side effects, contraindication, and respectfulness were the main problems of the quality of the service. Hence, there should supply of infrastructure, basic equipment and care provider’s adherence to guideline should be strengthen and revised.

Keywords: Long acting reversible contraceptive, Evaluation, Quality, Mekelle city,