Effect of Intensive Counselling Training on Participation of clients in Long-acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs)

Family planning (FP) is a pillar of Safe Motherhood. The FP program aims to avoid unwanted pregnancies or births caused by LARCs. However, the percentage of LARCs usage in Indonesia in 2017 was still far from the target of 14% per 21.7%. This was influenced by Information Education and Communication provided by healthcare workers, counselling mechanisms, and mother’s knowledge. This study aims to find a new counselling training technique that may improve the counselling skills of health workers and provide a better outcome (clients’ knowledge and attitude).

Phase one, a qualitative approach by conducting focus group discussions (FGD) and in-depth interviews with midwives and clients as the basis for making intensive counselling modules. Phase two, quantitative approach to healthcare workers using a t-paired group analysis test. Phase three, analysis using the unpaired t-test for clients.

This study was conducted using mixed methods, with a sequential exploratory model consisting of three research stages. The qualitative phase showed that the appropriate LARC-intensive counselling training model was two days, eight hours each, emphasizing the communication technique. A significant difference was found in the counselling competency of healthcare workers before and after training (p < 0.001). Interest in LARCs after receiving counselling (intensive or others) also showed significant differences (p < 0.001).

The LARCs intensive counselling training module affects the competency of counselling skills and increases the participation of clients