This paper presents demographic data about use of NFP in Europe and the factors which have been identified as influencing that very low use level. Experience with a new ovulation detection device in clinical trials and observations of its over-the-counter promotions is discussed in the context of what is already known about how to maximize uptake of contraception in main-stream service provision. Some suggestions are offered as to appropriate means of encouraging women who are using artificial methods or no method to understand enough about their natural fertile cycle to consider NFP as an acceptable option.
ovulation detection devices natural family planning, NFP service delivery ovulation home kits, Kirkman ovulation detection NFP Europe, over the counter ovulation device clinical trials, natural family planning uptake barriers Europe, fertility awareness device service provision, demographic data NFP use Europe low uptake, ovulation detection technology family planning education, encouraging women natural fertile cycle awareness, contraception to NFP transition ovulation devices
PMID 9288345 9288345 DOI 10.1023/a:1006572525762 10.1023/a:1006572525762 Kirkman et al. 1997, Kirkman 1997
Cite this article
Kirkman, R. J. (1997). Approaches for incorporating ovulation detection devices and home kits into learning NFP--implications for service delivery. Advances in contraception : the official journal of the Society for the Advancement of Contraception, 13(2-3), 269-272. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1006572525762
Kirkman RJ. Approaches for incorporating ovulation detection devices and home kits into learning NFP--implications for service delivery. Adv Contracept. 1997;13(2-3):269-272. doi:10.1023/a:1006572525762
Kirkman, Rosemary J. "Approaches for incorporating ovulation detection devices and home kits into learning NFP--implications for service delivery." Advances in contraception : the official journal of the Society for the Advancement of Contraception, vol. 13, no. 2-3, 1997, pp. 269-272.
The ability to accurately predict ovulation at-home using low-cost point-of-care diagnostics can be of significant help for couples who prefer natural family planning. Detecting ovulation-specific hormones in urine samples and monitoring basal body temperature are the current commonly home-based methods used for ovulation detection; however, these methods, relatively, are expensive for prolonged use and the results are difficult to comprehend. Here, we report a smartphone-based point-of-care device for automated ovulation testing using artificial intelligence (AI) by detecting fern patterns in a small volume (<100 μL) of saliva that is air-dried on a microfluidic device. We evaluated the performance of the device using artificial saliva and human saliva samples and observed that the device showed >99% accuracy in effectively predicting ovulation.
In recent years, several new devices have been developed to help women achieve or avoid pregnancy. These devices include computerized basal body temperature thermometers, electronic fertility monitors, and chemical and hormonal ovulation detection kits. This article describes these new fertility devices and discusses their effectiveness and impact on helping women understand and control their fertility.
Despite the recognized benefits for clients and programs of providing natural family planning (NFP) services, few family planning programs offer NFP and few provide fertility awareness education. Furthermore, many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that provide only NFP actually reach a very small percentage of the potential NFP users in the areas they serve. This paper discusses the results of interviews with selected family planning providers that were conducted to explore reasons why NFP and fertility awareness education are not offered in their programs, and with NFP providers to get their opinions on how to improve service delivery. The interviews were structured around some of the lessons learned from the successful incorporation of the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) into several multimethod family planning programs. There is agreement that the need for NFP services* is far from being met and that most clients lack the information and skills they could learn through fertility awareness education. The providers interviewed also acknowledged that offering these services would improve the quality of reproductive health services in general. Presented here are some ideas about why these services are not offered, as well as suggestions for integrating NFP and fertility awareness education into existing family planning programs.
To protect and advocate for their own reproductive health, people of all ages can greatly benefit from enhanced body/self awareness and strong interpersonal communication skills. Body/self awareness and interpersonal communications, along with gender awareness and the integration of sexuality, are the fundamental components of a new approach to obtaining high quality health called reproductive health awareness.