Introduction
Family planning can avert nearly one-third of maternal
deaths and 10% of child mortality when couples space
their pregnancies more than two years apart [1]. Short intervals
between births are linked with higher maternal and
child mortality and morbidity [2]. Postpartum family planning
(PPFP) is the prevention of unintended and closely
spaced pregnancies through the first twelve months following
childbirth [1]. Postpartum women need a range of
effective contraceptive methods to be able to prevent an
unplanned pregnancy, within a short interval [1,2].
Among the options available, the multi-year cost of
the Copper T380A IUD makes it one of the most costeffective
contraceptive options available. The Copper T
380A intra-uterine contraceptive device (IUCD) is a
highly effective, non-hormonal method that can be
safely used by all women regardless of breastfeeding status
during this interval. According to the World Health
Organization Medical Eligibility Criteria, an IUCD can be
inserted in the 48 hours postpartum, referred to here as a
postpartum IUCD (PPIUCD), or after four weeks following a
birth [3]. A 2010 Cochrane review concluded that PPIUCDs
were a safe and effective contraceptive method. The public
health benefits from PPIUCDs stemmed from the women’s
increased accessibility to PPIUCDs following facility births,
as PPIUCDs could be offered at health facilities after childbirth.
This, in turn, decreased opportunity and other costs
incurred by clients who may otherwise have to return to facilities
to access contraceptive services [4].