A decade of family planning research: lessons from the longitudinal platform of the INDEPTH Network

Samuelina Arthur, INDEPTH Network
Osman Sankoh, INDEPTH Network

Background: Uncontrolled population growth is found to hinder attainment of development especially the MDGs and the assumption is that fertility will decline only if the population at large adopts effective modern contraception. Objective: The objective of this study was to synthesize systematically key findings from Family Planning (FP) research undertaken by INDEPTH HDSSs to inform progress towards the achievement of MDGs. Methodology: Peer-reviewed publications on FP research conducted by INDEPTH member centres were identified from database of INDEPTH from 1998 to 2013. Articles were included if they use primary data on FP.33 papers out of 65 papers identified were included in this study Findings: Findings revealed that hormonal contraceptive use was associated with a reduced hazard of progression to the composite outcome of AIDS or death. Conclusion: The review revealed an extensive contribution by INDEPTH to research evidence on FP in the understanding of hormonal contraceptives and mortality reduction in HIV infected women.