Safety and Feasibility of Community-Based Distribution of Depo Provera in Nakasongola, Uganda

In both Asia and Latin America, community-based health workers have been trained in safe injection techniques and routinely provide injectable contraception. However, the African continent still resists this service delivery mechanism with the rationale that it is unsafe for clients to receive injections from paramedical personnel. This argument is weakening, however, as non-reusable syringes become the norm and with the recent development of a checklist, based on the latest WHO Medical Eligibility Criteria, for safe provision of DMPA by community-based agents. Has the time come for community-based provision of DMPA in Africa? Is it safe? Is it feasible? [from introduction]