Integration of Family Planning: An Example from Two Regions in Ghana

Introduction
Ghana has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world. A recent national survey (GSS et al., 2009a) revealed that about 451 women per 100,000 live births die due to pregnancy, unsafe abortion, or complications of labor in Ghana.
In Ghana, most hospitals and clinics have a FP unit where clients are referred to for services. However clients presenting to health facilities for non-FP purposes are not routinely screened and counseled for FP need.
From May 2010 to March 2011, the Reducing Maternal Morbidity and Mortality (R3M) Program in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) embarked pilot project to improve access to FP services by integrating into other services at the facility level. This culminated in a baseline survey and the roll out of interventions in some health facilities in the Eastern and Ashanti regions of Ghana.