Family Planning Australia: Improving Pharmacist Counselling for Emergency Contraception (EC) in Fiji
Overview
Family Planning Australia, in partnership with the Women’s Plans Foundation, is spearheading a vital project to improve the availability and understanding of emergency contraception (EC) in Fiji. This initiative, focused on educating and supporting pharmacists, aims to ensure that women in Fiji have better access to safe and effective emergency contraception, thereby enhancing reproductive health outcomes.
The Challenge
In the Pacific region, emergency contraception is often misunderstood and underutilised. Studies have shown that while many pharmacists in Fiji are confident in providing EC, significant gaps in their knowledge persist. Only about half of the pharmacists surveyed understood key measures of EC, indicating a need for better education and support to improve counselling practices.
Project Overview
The project is designed to address the aforementioned knowledge gaps. By developing a specialised job aid and conducting extensive training sessions, the project aims to enhance pharmacists' knowledge and counselling skills regarding EC.
Goals and Objectives
Develop a Job Aid: Create a tool specifically designed to assist pharmacists in providing accurate and comprehensive counselling about emergency contraception.
Train Pharmacists: Conduct training sessions to ensure pharmacists are well-versed in the use of the job aid and have a thorough understanding of EC.
Evaluate Practices: Assess pharmacists' current knowledge and counselling practices, as well as community and clinician awareness of EC.
Monitor and Evaluate: Continuously monitor and evaluate the project to ensure its effectiveness and sustainability.
Expand Knowledge: Increase the understanding and acceptability of EC provision in Fiji, with potential applications in the broader Pacific context.
Project Implementation
Training and Support
The project involved the development of a unique job aid for pharmacists and training sessions to improve their knowledge and counselling skills. Collaborating partners included the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Reproductive and Family Health Association of Fiji (RFHAF), Fiji National University (FNU), and the Asia Pacific Consortium of Emergency Contraception (APCEC). These training sessions aimed to address misconceptions and fill knowledge gaps, thereby enhancing the overall quality of EC counselling provided by pharmacists.
Community Engagement
Pharmacists play a crucial role in promoting the proper use of emergency contraception pills (ECP). During workshops, participants recognised their pivotal role and expressed a desire for more information about EC. This project not only improved the pharmacists' knowledge but also encouraged a positive attitude towards the accessibility of EC.
Outcomes and Impact
The project has yielded significant insights and improvements in the provision of emergency contraception in Fiji:
Enhanced Stock Reliability: Pharmacists generally maintained reliable stocks of ECP.
Broadened EC Options: Some pharmacists began offering copper IUDs as an EC option.
Increased Involvement: Pharmacist technicians and assistants were also involved in EC provision.
Positive Attitudes: While 86% of pharmacists believed everyone should have access to EC, nearly half identified situations where they might feel uncomfortable providing it.
Identified Misconceptions: The project highlighted knowledge gaps and misconceptions among pharmacists, underscoring the need for ongoing education.
Summary
Family Planning Australia’s project, supported by the Women’s Plans Foundation, is making significant strides in improving the accessibility and understanding of emergency contraception in Fiji. By empowering pharmacists with the necessary tools and education, the project ensures that women have better access to safe and effective emergency contraception. This initiative not only addresses immediate needs but also lays the groundwork for sustainable improvements in reproductive health services across the Pacific region.
This case study highlights the critical impact of targeted education and support for healthcare providers in improving reproductive health outcomes. Family Planning Australia remains committed to enhancing reproductive and sexual health rights, ensuring that every individual can make informed decisions about their health.
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