Challenge
 
The 2006 Family Planning (FP) Survey showed that 49 percent of married women do not use any contraceptive method and about 15 percent resort to traditional methods like withdrawal and rhythm re-sulting in unplanned pregnancies. Despite the Philippine govern-ment’s efforts in providing FP information and services, unmet need in FP still stands at 15.7 percent. Among women who do not use FP methods, 30 percent mentioned fear of side effects and health con-cerns being the main reasons for not using any means of contracep-tion. Modern natural methods like the Standard Days Method (SDM) could have been helpful in encouraging women with fear of side ef-fects and health concerns to adapt a family planning method but these were least promoted and used in the past.
 
Initiative
 

USAID’s grant to the Institute for Reproductive Health Philippines (IRHP) enabled them to provide technical assistance to 51 midwives, seven faith-based organizations, two non-government organizations (NGOs) and five companies in promoting the use and ensuring regu-lar supply of SDM beads targeting specifically those who are not using any FP method or who are practicing traditional methods. The mid-wives added SDM in their service provision; the faith-based organiza-tions taught SDM at pre-marriage seminars; the NGOs and private companies offered it as part of their social and employees’ develop-ment programs. IRHP developed customized training modules, opera-tions manuals and marketing materials for the providers to expand the FP services in their respective areas.
 
Results
 
After 15 months of initial implementation, around 17,000 individuals received information on SDM; 135 service providers were trained on presenting and providing SDM; and 15,000 were oriented on fertility awareness. There were 979 new SDM users. Satisfied SDM users claimed that it has no side effects, does not need resupply, helped them understand their fertility better, and allows participation of hus-bands.