Effect of Intensive Counseling Training on Participation of Clients in Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives

BACKGROUND: One of the pillars of safe motherhood is family planning (FP). The FP program aims to avoid unwanted pregnancies or birth by long-term contraceptive methods (long-acting reversible contraceptives [LARCs]). However, percentages of LARCs usage in Indonesia, in 2017 were still far from the target, 14% per 21.7%. This was influenced by Information Education and Communication given by health-care workers, counseling mechanisms, and mother’s knowledge. AIM: This study aims to find a new counseling training technique that may improve the counseling skills of health workers and provide a better outcome (clients’ knowledge and attitude). METHODS: Phase one, a qualitative approach by conducting focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with midwives and clients as the basis for making intensive counseling modules. Phase two, quantitative approach to health-care workers using a t-paired group analysis test. Phase three, analysis using T-unpaired group test for clients. RESULTS: The qualitative phase showed that the appropriate LARCs intensive counseling training model was 2 days, 8 h each, emphasizing communication techniques. A significant difference was found in the counseling competition of health-care workers before and after training (p < 0.001). The interest in LARCs after receiving counseling (intensive or others) also showed significant differences (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The LARCs intensive counseling training module affects the competency of counseling skills and increases the participation of clients.