Developing an Online Toolkit for Revitalizing the IUD

Theresa C. Norton1, Roy Jacobstein2, Erin McGinn3, Ruwaida Salem1, Rebecca Gmach3

1Johns Hopkins/Center for Communication Programs, 2EngenderHealth, 3Family Health International

34th Annual International Conference on Global HealthGlobal Health Council

Why do we need an IUD Toolkit?

• Provide positive evidence-based practices about the IUD

• Help fulfill women’s right to contraceptive choice

• Alleviate myths and misperceptions

What is in the IUD Toolkit?

• Information and resources to develop and expand IUD services

• Up-to-date research evidence and expert advice

• Case studies on IUD-related activities from several countries

• IUD information and tools in different languages

Who created the IUD Toolkit?

• Maximizing Access and Quality (MAQ) IUD Subcommittee

• Committee is part of USAID's MAQ Initiative (www.maqweb.org)

• Experts in international reproductive health and family planning from 16 organizations

• Expertise: program planning, training, advocacy, marketing, research, policy, logistics

Where is the IUD Toolkit?

www.k4health.org/toolkits/iud

Development Process

• MAQ IUD Subcommittee formed• IUD Toolkit conceived• Secretariat, IT partner, content teams formed• Content teams selected content:

• Collaborative inventory of IUD documents• Review and selection of content by teams• Addressed inconsistencies

• IUD Subcommittee reviewed• Created promotion and dissemination plan• Conducted formal launch• Created CD-ROM version

Designed Information Architecture

• Small teams divided by content areas• Information technology partner• Secretariat managed

process (content selection, timeline, promotion, dissemination)

• Tool: Web-basedcollaborationsystem (IBP Knowledge Gateway)

Selected Content

• Content experts selected “the best,” “free”• Evidence-based• Users free to adapt for local use

• Sought permission to include on site• Minimize links to aid production of CD-ROM

• “Essential Knowledge” authority• Addressed inconsistencies

Selected Content (cont.)

• Wrote two-page overviews per section• Tool: Master

Tracking Sheet

Developed Prototype

• Web-based, branded domain name• Static web pages (not database)• Custom content management system• Password-protected• Field tested with a few participants of meeting• Refined for unveiling to larger subcommittee

Promotion and Dissemination

• Promotion plan created

• Fliers, banner,bookmark

• Decentralizedpromotion

• Listservs, Websites, meetings• 32 listservs• Targeted e-mails• 45k+ recipients

• Tool: PromotionTracking Sheet

Outcomes

• Web statistics (Apr 06-Apr 07)1: • Visits: 47,747• Visitors: 42,372• Countries: 175• Increase in visits since launch (Nov 06): 114%

• 1000 CDs produced; 235 pre-requests

1Source: WebTrends. Stats since password removed.

Use of the IUD Toolkit

• “… use it [IUD Toolkit] in our 'continued technical updates' for the providers in our network. We have over 500 doctors and 8000 nurse/paramedics in the network directly involved in IUD service delivery…I would like the CD version so that I can use that to address policy issues with the local Government authorities as well.”

— Sadia Dilshand Parveen, Director, Quality Improvement, NSDP, Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Use of the IUD Toolkit (cont.)

• “We are an NGO running several Primary Health Centres in 2 states of India and [the IUD Toolkit] would be an invaluable resource for us in our programs.”

— Dr. Prashanth N S, Coordinator (Health & Biodiversity), Karuna Trust

Use of the IUD Toolkit (cont.)

• “Papua New Guinea has a very low overall uptake/service provision of contraception, something we are about to address nationally as part of a Safe Motherhood Initiative. I anticipate making IUCDs a big player … but will need to train some core personnel in their use... Thanks for your great and informative site...and all the work it represents.”

Dr. Miriam E. O'ConnorILTA Safe Motherhood,Capacity Building Service Centre

Lessons Learned

• Small teams of content experts effective, but:• Work “in spare time” a challenge• Long timeline (1+ years)• Need dedication to overcome

• Secretariat steering the process important• Decentralized promotion helps grow

awareness• Group model creates ownership, but

challenges consensus• Product brand separate from organizations

also helps ownership

Thank you!

• MAQ IUD Toolkitwww.k4health.org/toolkits/iud

• Contact us: toolkits@k4health.org