About the MAQ Initiative

Subcommittees

IUD Subcommittee

Background

IUDs have unique safety and effectiveness attributes and have the potential of being the method of choice for many women. However, they remain underutilized in most countries due to medical barriers, inadequate services, provider bias, and low client knowledge or misperceptions. As a result, many organizations--including USAID CAs--are committed to improving information on and access to IUDs worldwide. Previous experience has shown that MAQ Subcommittees provide an effective mechanism to advance special projects. In September 2004, a new MAQ IUD Working Group was established for the purpose of developing CA collaborative projects that will enhance IUD use.

Purpose

• To identify and carry out specific activities which a headquarters-based group can undertake to increase access to the IUD

Planned Activities

Initially the Subcommittee plans to focus on developing an "IUD Toolkit" to be made available as a resource to meet various needs of the global RH/FP community. Potential products for the toolkit include:

• Needs assessment tools
• Scientific pearls
• Programming guidance based on evidence and best practices
• Information on logistics, advocacy, operations research, training, and evaluation

Co-Chairs

• Roberto Rivera, Family Health International
• Roy Jacobstein, EngenderHealth

Participating Organizations

• Advance Africa
• CDC
• EngenderHealth
• Family Health International
• The Futures Group International/Policy Project
• IntraHealth International
• JHPIEGO
• JHU/CCP
• John Snow, Inc.
• Management Sciences for Health
• Population Council
• Population Services International
• Save the Children
• USAID
• WHO