The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that with appropriate training, the provision of injectable contraceptives by community based reproductive health agents (CBRHAs) does not significantly differ from low-level clinic-based providers, or health extension workers (HEWs).

The overall goal of this project was to increase contraceptive prevalence and reduce the current high unmet need for family planning in rural areas of Ethiopia. In addition, the project was intended to provide evidence to policy makers to expand community based distribution (CBD) of the injectible contraceptive, depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), in both Tigray and other regions of Ethiopia where community based reproductive health agents (CBRHAs) or other community health workers (CHWs) are present.

Following from that, the specific aims of this project were to:

• Provide evidence that CBRHAs can safely and effectively distribute and facilitate supply of DMPA to rural women
• Demonstrate that CBRHAs can deliver DMPA with the same safety, effectiveness, and acceptability outcomes as HEWs
• Increase access to DMPA by using CBRHAs

Inclusion Criteria:

• All adult women of reproductive age who approached a provider for a contraceptive method and wished to use DMPA were recruited to participate in the study
• Medically eligible to use injectable contraceptives

Exclusion Criteria:

• Health problems preventing or counter-indications for use of hormonal contraceptives
• Suspicion of pregancy
• FHI validated check list of eligibility use injectable contraceptives
• Minors age <18 years old