India has a population of over one billion and a total fertility rate of 2.7 with 56% of married women reporting use of contraception. Permanent family planning methods continue to dominate the contraceptive use with a third of currently married women using female sterilization. Only one in ten couples use a modern method of contraception including condoms, pills and intra-uterine devices. Having births 2-3 years apart not only helps in reducing fertility, but also contributes in reducing infant and child mortality.

The program was launched to increase overall use of modern spacing methods of contraception by increasing basket of methods available for couples to choose from. The program aims to increase choice by improving access to DMPA (Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate), a three monthly injectable contraceptive through private providers and demand generation efforts. The project demonstrates the feasibility of providing DMPA through the private sector with high quality of care. Currently there are over 1014 network members in 41 towns across Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand who promote DMPA as a part of the basket of contraceptive methods. The Dimpa network will continue to expand to cover 45 towns in the three states.

DMPA project also:

• Screens, identifies and trains leading Obstetrician /Gynecologist and General Practitioners in the provision of DMPA, patient counseling and management of adverse effects, to ensure high quality provision of a basket of contraceptive methods that includes DMPA.
• Works closely with the leading manufacturers and marketers of injectable contraceptives, to reduce product costs and ensure supply to all Dimpa network clinics.
• Conducts regular technical detailing and updating for providers and paramedics to enhance their performance and quality of services. This includes issues such as Safe injection and needle disposal practices, improved client counseling, handling client concerns about menstrual changes from DMPA use, record keeping for better management of clients and return visits.
• Conducts regular mystery client surveys to monitor and track quality of care parameters. It is also developing and piloting self-assessment quality improvement tools for the providers.
• Develops DMPA communication campaign for increasing correct knowledge on DMPA, including Point of Sale and educational material at clinics, Inter Personal Communication tools for doctors and outdoor advertising materials like cable, cinema and press advertisements promoting DMPA and Dimpa clinics in each town.