Coaching as a Cost-Effective and Sustainable Approach to Improving the Quality of Family Planning Services: Model From the Challenge Initiative

Lekan Ajijola , Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs
Victor Igharo, Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs
Lisa Mwaikambo, Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health
Kim Martin, Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health
Kate Cho, Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health
Mojisola Odeku, Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs

Background Improving the quality of FP services is one of the strategies to gradually increase the Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) in the states and the country as a whole. Methodology We designed a website called TCI University containing relevant resources for FP program managers’ and implementers. Trained coaches who are program experts are engaged to provide voluntary coaching services. Findings Individual and virtual coaching is more common than group and F2F coaching. Group coaching is usually provided F2F or through skype when it is virtual. The flexibility with coaching services makes it a lot cheaper than the usual intensive trainings which are not typically sustainable. Conclusion Quality is the fulcrum of any successful program and coaching is an essential component of skills transfer in public health programs. Coaching is one of the cost-effective means of achieving continuous quality improvement while implementing programs in resource limited settings like Nigeria.

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 Presented in Session 1. Fertility, Family Planning, Sexual Behavior, & Reproductive Health 1