Nurse-midwife insertion of the copper T in Thailand: performance, acceptance, and programmatic effects

While oral contraceptives have been widely available in rural Thailand since their distribution by lower level paramedical health workers was authorized in 1970, the IUD has been restricted to large, urban clinics staffed by physicians. A study was conducted in 1972-73 to evaluate the performance of nurse-midwives in IUD (Copper T) insertion and to assess the reaction of acceptors and the likely effects on the National Family Planning Program. It was found that nurse-midwives were competent to insert Copper Ts and handle early complications. Acceptor continuation rates were very high and nurse-midwife acceptors clearly preferred IUD insertion by a female health worker. Programmatic evidence suggests that using nurse-midwives more extensively for Copper T insertion would increase IUD acceptance at no cost to the existing loop program.