Abstract:
Background: Good quality family planning services helps individuals and couples meet
their reproductive health needs safely and effectively. Quality family planning service is
also an important determinant of acceptance and continuation rates, and therefore a major
contributor to increase the number of contraceptive users and sustainability of the
services.
Objective: To assesses Quality of care in Family Planning services in Gambella Town
Public Health facilities, Gambella regional State, Southwest Ethiopia.
Methods: Facility based cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative
methods of data collection was conducted in March 2011. A pre-tested structured closeended questionnaire for client exit interview, and structured checklist for observation of
client-providers‟ interaction and facility audit was used for quantitative data collection. A
total of 422 clients for exit interview and [22] FP counseling session was systematically
included in the study unit. A semi-structured in-depth interview guide was used to
capture relevant information from key informant.
Result: The most commonly used family planning method was the injectable, 351
(83.8%), followed by the pill, 65 (15.4%). Large proportion, 337 (80.2%), of clients were
not well-informed about the side effect of the method and 331 (78.9%) of clients were
also not informed what to do if they faced problem with the method. Two hundred thirty
(54.8%) of clients were not advised as the method does not protect against HIV /AIDS &
STIs. Similarly 284(67.3%) of clients were not encouraged to use condoms as a second
methods. Majority, 394 (93.4%) of clients said that waiting time was reasonable and short
to get services. As well as all of clients were informed when to return for follow-up visit
and granted with reminder cards, 418(99.1%) of clients were also responded that they
will come back for the next appointment. The overall clients‟ satisfaction with family
planning service provision was found 257 (60.9%). There were acute shortage of
different contraceptive methods, IEC materials, Copy of MOH guideline of family
planning services in Ethiopia and lack of trained man power.
Conclusion: This study revealed several constraints in the provision of FP services with
improved quality of care, which can be implied as area of possible improvement.
