Menstrual regulation in Bangladesh: an evaluation of training and service programs

This article evaluates the performance of three urban menstrual regulation (MR) training and service programs in Bangladesh. Virtually all of the MR providers including physicians and paramedics in the three centers received training in various MR procedures by means of demonstration or class lectures. However, a significant proportion of the trained MR providers were unable to render proper MR services due to the lack of clinical facilities and lack of equipment. Analysis of follow-up data for MR clients revealed that those women who utilized MR procedures offered through the centers had an average of about three live births. Physician providers were more likely to serve clients from a higher socioeconomic strata, while paramedical providers were more likely to serve MR clients from lower socioeconomic strata or agricultural background. Most of the clients receiving MR services were ever and current users of contraceptives and developed fewer complications from MR procedures than those served by untrained traditional herbalists, healers or birth attendants.