Brought to you by the members of Maximizing Access & Quality Initiative

IUD Toolkit

Up-to-date evidence and best practices related to the Intrauterine Device

Brought to you by USAID's Maximizing Access & Quality Initiative

What is in the IUD Toolkit?

The IUD Toolkit offers the best available knowledge and practices on how to develop and expand IUD services in reproductive health programs. It contains:

Tools and resources to help implement a variety of IUD-related activities
A compilation of the most up-to-date knowledge and best practices on IUDs
Resources on the most up-to-date evidence from the World Health Organization and other international reproductive health organizations
Case studies on IUD-related activities from several countries

Why do we need an IUD Toolkit?

There are many concerns surrounding the IUD, including misperceptions and unfounded myths among providers and potential users. This toolkit was created to alleviate uncertainties while providing positive evidence-based practices about the IUD. It also provides guidance and tools to update, expand or develop IUD service provision programs.

Expanding access to the IUD with high quality services helps fulfill women’s right to contraceptive choice and contributes to sustainable family planning programs.

Who should use this Toolkit?

The toolkit is intended for use by:

Policy-makers and program managers who are interested in adding or improving existing IUD services
Providers, potential clients, teachers, and students who are interested in accurate information about IUDs

How should this Toolkit be used?

Expanding access to and use of IUDs requires a holistic approach–-including accurate information; up-to-date policies and guidelines; quality training, supervision, and services; effective communication and marketing; and proper logistics. This toolkit provides information on all these elements and contains tools and resources to help you implement a variety of IUD-related activities.

Some of the tools are readily available in an adaptable format (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint presentations). We encourage you to alter and personalize these tools for your own use (please remember to credit the source). If you do use these tools or adapt them, we would love to hear from you. Please e-mail us. The toolkit is a work in progress, so please send us your ideas and suggestions for improving it.

Who developed the IUD Toolkit?

The IUD Toolkit was compiled by members of the IUD Subcommittee of USAID's Maximizing Access and Quality Initiative. These members are experts in international reproductive health and family planning, and work in the areas of program planning, training, advocacy, marketing, research, policy, and logistics. They each hold a commitment to promoting evidence-based practices in reproductive health and believe that the IUD is a valuable component of family planning programs and adds to women’s contraceptive choice.

For more information about the organizations involved in developing the IUD Toolkit, please see About Us.