Catharsis-Education-Action (CEA) method as adjunct to family planning education in the utilization of contraceptives among women of reproductive age: A randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT

Introduction@#For the past decades, issues on Population Control have been raised. The Philippine government has been addressing these issues for quite some time. However, on the other end of the spectrum on population control, the end users have seldom been asked, understood and talked about.@*Objective@#The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Catharsis-Education-Action (CEA) Method with Family Planning Education in improving the uptake of artificial contraceptive use compared to Family Planning Education alone among women of reproductive age.@*Methods@#This randomized controlled trial was conducted in a primary health center in Batangas City among 176 women of reproductive age with unmet need in family planning. Participants were randomized into either CEA counseling with Family Planning Education (intervention group) and Family Planning Education alone (control group). CEA was conducted individually with the study participants in the intervention group, following a Family Planning Education lecture provided by a midwife trained to disseminate information on family planning methods. The control group received Family Planning Education lecture alone. Outcomes were determined one month after using a Follow-up Questionnaire. Categorical variables were expressed in frequency and percentage. Chi square was used to compare the utilization rate of artificial contraceptive use between the two groups.@*Results@#Baseline characteristics were similar except for the participants’ age (p-value 0.025). There was statistically significant difference in the uptake of artificial family planning method between the CEA group and control group (43% vs 27%; p-value 0.014@*Conclusion@#Catharsis-Education-Action (CEA) Method as adjunct to Family Planning Education is effective in improving the uptake of artificial contraceptive use among women of reproductive age. Utilizing CEA will strengthen existing primary healthcare services and establish a reproductive health plan that will enhance the overall health and well-being of women, their families and the community.