MODULE 3
FP CLIENT
ASSESSMENT
Module 3 Overview
This module provides the necessary
knowledge and skills to assess the health
needs and status of FP clients and
document these using standard forms.
Module Objectives
At the end of this module participants
will be able to :
Perform a client assessment relevant to FP
service provision based on evidence based
global standards
Use standard forms in gathering and
documenting clients’ health status and FP
needs.
Module Sessions
Session 1:The FP Form 1 in Client
Assessment
Session 2: WHO Medical Eligibility
Criteria for Contraceptive Use
Session 1
The FP Form 1 in Client
Assessment
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this session, participants will
be able to:
Define client assessment.
Explain the purpose of client assessment in
FP service provision.
Describe the steps of FP client assessment.
Describe the FP Service Record/FP Form 1.
Demonstrate use of the FP Service Form 1.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this session, participants
will be able to:
Explain the guidelines on physical
examination in FP service provision.
Enumerate the steps in physical examination
of FP clients.
Explain the purpose of laboratory
examinations in FP service provision.
Describe commonly performed laboratory
examinations in FP/RH service provision.
Definition
• Is a process by which the health worker
learns about the health status and the FP
needs of the client.
• Initial step is to take the clinical history.
• Data obtained are documented and
evaluated.
Purpose
Establishes the client’s health status.
Determines the client’s eligibility for using a
contraceptive method.
Determines whether the client is in good
health, needs further examinations and
management including closer follow-up
and/or referral.
Identifies the need for additional procedures
and/or laboratory examinations.
Steps of FP Client Assessment
1. Prepare the client
Greet her cordially and ensure comfort
Establish rapport with the client
Establish the purpose of the visit
Explain to the client procedures to be performed
(including physical and /or laboratory examinations, if
needed.)
Encourage the client to ask questions openly.
2. Take and record the client’s health history
using the FP Service Form 1
Steps of FP Client Assessment
3. Discuss with the client:
Findings based on the history.
Need to perform further examination like
physical and/or laboratory examination, if
necessary.
Need for referral for laboratory examinations
or further management, if necessary.
Need and schedule of follow-up visit(s)
Components
1. Personal data
2. Medical history (past and family)
3. Reproductive history
Menstrual history
OB history
FP history
Risk for STIs
VAWC
4. Present illness or health concern
1. Personal Data
1. Complete name of client
2. Name of husband
3. Client’s age, sex
4. Occupation, average family monthly
income
5. Educational attainment
6. Address
2. Medical History
Past illnesses
Hospitalizations
Accidents/Injuries
Allergies
Surgeries
Habits (smoking, drinking, substance
abuse, etc.)
Family History (CVA, heart disease)
3. Reproductive History
Menstrual History
Menarche - age of onset of menstruation
Last Menstrual Period (LMP) - first day of
last menstrual period including the number
of days, character (scanty, moderate, or
heavy) of menstrual flow and
accompanying symptoms
Previous Menstrual Period (PMP) - first day
of menstrual period prior to the mentioned
LMP.
3. Reproductive History
Obstetrical History
Gravidity (G) – number of pregnancies
regardless of outcome
Parity (P)- number of pregnancies reaching
viability (>20 weeks AOG)
Other information (F-P-A-L)
Full-term pregnancies
Pre-term pregnancies
Abortions
Living children
3. Reproductive History
FP History
FP method currently being used
duration of use
satisfaction with use
FP method previously used
duration of use
reason/s for discontinuation or
shifting
Reproductive goals/ intents
desired number of children
to limit or to space
3. Reproductive History
Risk for STIs
Ask the client the following questions:
Do you suspect your partner to have
another sexual partner?
Do you think your sex partner might
have an STI?
Have you or your partner ever been
treated for STIs?
3. Reproductive History
Risk for STIs
Ask the client the following questions:
Do you or your partner experience the
following:
Unusual (pus-like, foul smelling) discharge
from the vagina/urethra?
Itching and/or sores around the genital
area?
3. Reproductive History
VAWC
Ask the client the following questions:
How is your relationship with your
husband or partner?
Does he know about your coming to the
clinic?
Is he willing to cooperate or support
you in using a FP method?
4. Present Health or Concerns
• Present complaint or concern
• Onset, nature, and duration of
present complaint or concern
• Accompanying symptoms and
precipitating/aggravating factors
• Measures or medications taken to
relieve symptoms and
precipitating/aggravating factors
• Prior consult or medications
Exercise on Filling up the FP
Form 1
Role Play
Part 1 – Personal Data
Part 2 – Medical History
Guidelines
Not always necessary for ensuring the SAFE
USE of an FP method.
The WHO Applicability of procedures can
serve as the guide that will tell which of the
procedures or examinations may be
necessary.
Performed during the initial visit only to
confirm conditions suspected or noted
during the client history-taking.
Guidelines
Performed at any time to evaluate client’s
complaints related to the use of an FP
method. This is to ensure that the client has
not developed conditions which are
precautions to the continued use of the
method.
Performed to identify complications which
may have arisen from the use of an FP
method.
Steps
Remember…
Proceed from head to toe
Inspect first, palpate later
1. Take vital signs
Blood Pressure
Pulse Rate
Respiratory Rate
Temperature
Steps
2. Prepare client
Make the client comfortable
IF doing an internal exam: Ask client to
void/empty bladder and wash perineum
Assure privacy and confidentiality
Explain the procedures (what is going to happen
and why)
Steps
3. Prepare needed instruments and supplies
Prepare the instruments and supplies ahead of
the actual PE especially when there is no
knowledgeable assistant around.
4. Conduct the physical examination
If the health provider is a male, the female client
must have a companion (husband or any one of
the same sex) during the conduct of the physical
examination.
Purpose
Laboratory tests are NOT ALWAYS
REQUIRED (refer to WHO Applicability
chart)
Performed to further investigate abnormal
findings on history taking and/or physical
examination (PE).
Hemoglobin Determination
To confirm and determine severity of
anemia in a pale client.
Normal ranges depend on age and sex of
client
Normal ranges are:
• Adult males: 14-18 gm/dl
• Adult women: 12-16 gm/dl
Other Laboratory Examinations
• Wet Smear - to find the causative agent of existing
vaginitis- monilia, trichomonas or gardnerella
• Gram Stain - to determine the microorganism
causing the STI- gonococci or chlamydia
• Pap Smear – cervical secretions collected
examined under a microscope in order to look for
pre-malignant or malignant changes
• Acetic Acid – abnormal cells may be identified by
applying acetic acid to areas of suspected cervical
lesions
SESSION 2
WHO
MEDICAL ELIGIBILITY
CRITERIA (MEC)
Specific Learning Objectives
At the end of this session participants will be
able to:
Describe the WHO Medical Eligibility Criteria for
contraceptive use.
Define the 4 categories of the WHO MEC for
temporary methods.
Explain the recommendations for eligibility for
the MEC categories for the permanent and FAB
methods.
Discuss the WHO MEC on “Applicability of
Various Procedures for Contraceptive Use”.
Discuss how to be reasonably sure that the
woman is not pregnant using the checklist.
WHO Medical Eligibility Criteria
(MEC) for Contraceptive Use
reference tool for assessment on
clients’ eligibility for initiating and
continuing the use of contraceptive
methods;
based on certain criteria developed
from evidence based practices
WHO MEC for Contraceptive Use
Four Categories:
Category 1: A condition for which there is NO
RESTRICTION on the use of contraceptive
method. PROVIDE the METHOD.
Category 2: A condition where THE
ADVANTAGES of using the method generally
OUTWEIGH the theoretical or proven RISKS.
This indicates that the method can be
GENERALLY used, but that CAREFUL FOLLOW-
UP may be required.
WHO MEC for Contraceptive Use
Category 3: A condition where the THEORETICAL OR
PROVEN RISKS usually OUTWEIGH the ADVANTAGES
of using the method. Use of this method IS NOT
RECOMMENDED UNLESS OTHER MORE APPROPRIATE
METHODS ARE NOT AVAILABLE or ACCEPTABLE.
Category 4: A condition, which represents an
UNACCEPTABLE HEALTH RISK if the contraceptive
method is used. DO NOT PROVIDE the method.
Simplified MEC Categories for
Temporary Methods
Category With clinical judgment With limited
clinical judgment
1 Use method in any Yes
circumstances (Use the method)
2 Generally use the
method
3 Use of method not usually No
recommended unless other (Do not use the
more appropriate methods
are not available or not
method)
acceptable
4 Method not to be used
Simplified MEC Categories for
Permanent Methods
Category Eligibility Criteria
A There is no medical reason to deny sterilization to a person
(Accept) with this condition.
C The procedure is normally conducted in a routine settling,
(Caution) but with extra preparation and precautions.
D The procedure is delayed until the condition is evaluated
(Delay) and/or corrected. Alternative temporary methods of
contraception should be provided.
S The procedure should be undertaken in a setting with an
(Special/ experienced surgeon and staff, equipment needed to
Refer) provide general anesthesia, and other backup medical
support. For these conditions, the capacity to decide on the
most appropriate procedure and anesthesia regimen is also
needed. Alternative temporary methods of contraception
should be provided if referral is required or there is
otherwise any delay.
Simplified MEC Categories for
Fertility Awareness-Based Methods
Category Eligibility Criteria
A There is no medical reason to deny the particular FAB
(Accept) method to a woman in this circumstance.
C The method is normally provided in a routine setting,
(Caution) but with extra preparation and precautions. For FAB
methods, this usually means that special counseling
may be needed to ensure correct use of the method by
a woman in this circumstance.
D Use of this method should be delayed until the
(Delay) condition is evaluated or corrected. Alternative
temporary methods of contraception should be
offered.
NA Not applicable
WHO MEC Wheel for Contraceptive
Use
Contains the medical eligibility criteria for
starting use of contraceptive methods
Tells FP service providers if a client with a
known medical condition is able to use
contraceptive methods safely and
effectively
WHO MEC Wheel for Contraceptive
Use
Recommendations on six common types of
contraceptives
• Low dose COCs
• CICs – Cyclofem and Mesigyna
• Progestin-only pills
• DMPA and NET-EN
• Implants- Norplant, Jadelle, Implanon
• Copper T380A IUD
WHO MEC on Applicability of
Various Procedures for
Contraceptive Use
Specified examinations/procedures are
required for only a few of the FP methods
The use of the WHO MEC on Applicability
of Various Procedures and Tests shows
that a THOROUGH or COMPLETE physical
examination MAY NOT BE WARRANTED,
if the client is decided on a FP method.
Applicability* of
various procedures
or tests for
contraceptives
methods.
How to be reasonably sure the
woman is not pregnant
A woman should not use an FP method
while she is pregnant
A health provider can usually tell if a
woman is not pregnant by asking a few
questions.
Pregnancy test and physical examination
are usually not needed.
SIGNS OF PREGNANCY
EARLY LATE
Delayed menses Larger breasts
Breast tenderness Darker nipples
Nausea/vomiting Increase vaginal
Weight change discharge
Frequent tiredness Enlarged abdomen
Mood changes Movements of a baby
Changed eating habits
Summary and Key Learning Points
The health provider needs to have the
necessary knowledge and skills to be
able to adequately and accurately assess
the health needs, as well as the health
status, of clients seeking to improve the
quality of their lives.
Client assessment is the first and
important step prior to provision of FP
services.
Summary and Key Learning Points
Client’s FP needs and data on medical
status & conditions are obtained to ensure
that they are medically eligible for their
chosen FP method.
History-taking is the basic component of
assessment for FP clients.
The WHO Medical Eligibility Criteria aids in
assessing clients on their eligibility for
initiating and continuing the use of a
specific contraceptive method.
