Reproductive Health & Family Planning (Birth Spacing)

Across the developing world, access to reproductive health services and modern contraception is a challenge for millions of young and older women seeking to space their pregnancies and live to their full potential. Poor reproductive health services and lack of access to affordable modern contraception and information to space births continue to contribute to the high maternal-newborn mortality and morbidity rates in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Childbirth Survival International's RHFP program is designed to take services to the women and by collaborating with local health facilities provide them at no-cost to women. For instance in Uganda, every World Cancer Day, in collaboration with local health facilities, CSI rotates within districts and the country to provide free health literacy on women's cancers, free screening, and onsite treatment for cervical cancer lesions. Since 2016, CSI uses acetic acid (vinegar) and has screened over 300 women in Uganda for cervical cancer and managed to treat those with suspected precancerous lesions on site using cryotherapy or LEEP--a life-saving medical procedure that requires modern technology and skilled experts that many women cannot afford. CSI is at the frontlines to address cervical cancer prevention by educating families and communities on the benefits of the HPV vaccine for their  adolescent daughters.   

Through workshops facilitated by CSI team and skilled personnel, women and men in underserved communities are gaining access to health information, empowering them to better take care of their health, seek care and treatment early, and have an informed perspective on cultural/traditional practices such as female genital mutilation that harm their health and their families. For instance in Tanzania, CSI in collaboration with Cambridge Development Initiative conducted a series of workshops addressing uterine tract infections (UTIs), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV/AIDS, maternal health, gender-based violence, access to family planning, and additional reproductive health topics.

---

Cervical Cancer Screening, Uganda

Women and girls registering for cervical cancer prevention, screening, and treatment. Uganda, 2018

CSI trained and licensed midwives educate women about cervical cancer screening process. Uganda, 2018

Licensed midwife breaks myths and stigma about cervical cancer. Uganda, 2018

Reproductive Health Workshops, Tanzania

Olipa, facilitates session on UTIs and maternal health. Tanzania, 2017

Women in the community are informed and empowered. Improving health literacy. Tanzania 2017

CSI Tanzania are skilled and respected leaders in the community. Reaching the unreached. Tanzania, 2017.