Factors to address when periodic abstinence is offered by multi-method family planning programs.

Multi-method family planning programs are committed to informed free choice of contraceptives. Thus they are expected to provide information and education, and facilitate access to services for those individuals and couples who want to practice periodic abstinence. Various factors affect the commitment and ability of multi-method family planning programs for providing periodic abstinence services. These factors include the effectiveness and cost of the method, attitude and technical competence of service providers, information and education strategies, and approaches for providing services. These factors are discussed in this paper. Information on providing periodic abstinence in a multi-method service situation is very scarce. The need for research, particularly operations research, for gathering information to guide program managers and service providers in the integration of periodic abstinence services is discussed.