BACKGROUND
In Mozambique, one out of every 67 women dies in childbirth, three times higher than the global average. This high maternal mortality rate, along with high fertility rates and other serious health issues for mothers and children, is exacerbated by a lack of access to reproductive health care and family planning services in Mozambique. While the use of modern contraceptives nationally has risen from 25.7 percent in 2015 to 36.4 percent in 2020, rates in some provinces are much lower: Sofala 14.4%), Nampula (21.8%) and Zambezia (17.8%).  Almost half of Mozambican women expressing a desire to limit or space pregnancy are not using any form of contraceptive. Women living with HIV, Women with High parity  and adolescent girls in particular find it difficult to access family planning services. A recent national study showed 46 percent of adolescent girls are pregnant for the first time or already have one child,  with and in this group only 14 percent are using any contraception method. 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
USAID IFPI improves maternal and child health in Mozambique’s Nampula, Sofala and Zambezia provinces by increasing the use of and access to voluntary family planning services and reducing early pregnancies.  The program collaborates with three community-based organizations - Mulher Lei e Desenvolvimento (MULEIDE), Núcleo Das Associações Femininas Da Zambézia (NAFEZA), and Coalizãoe to increase and improve the information on family planning options women and couples receive. The program also works with young adults to dispel myths around contraception use and other components of family planning. USAID IFPI aims to reach women with a particularly high unmet need for family planning, including postpartum women, women living with HIV, adolescents girls, including orphans and vulnerable children, and post-abortion women. Recognizing that men and boys play a significant role in increasing uptake of contraception, the program also targets these groups with information about and access to family planning resources. 

EXPECTED RESULTS AND IMPACTS
Reduce maternal mortality and infant mortality rates and increased contraceptive use through:

  • 1.75 million Mozambicans reached with family planning messages on radio, television, and digital platforms and via community group dialogues and structured interpersonal communication.
  • 1,645,450 Couple Years Protected (CYP) in USG-supported programs (by delivery options)
  • 37% women discharged from delivery with a postpartum FP method of their choice.