Pilot Study of Home-Based Delivery of Family Planning and HIV Testing and Counseling Services to Couples in Malawi

Stan Becker, Johns Hopkins University
Frank Taulo, University of Malawi
Effie Chipeta, University of Malawi
Amy Tsui, Johns Hopkins University

This pilot study involved delivery of couple family planning (CFP) and couple HIV counseling and testing (CVCT) services to the homes of 180 couples sampled from households near Blantyre. Baseline data were collected from both partners and follow-up data were collected one week later. 89% accepted at least one of the services (58% CVCT-only, 29% CVCT+CFP, 2% CFP-only). Among women, prior testing experience, parity, and emotional closeness to partner had significant bivariate associations with acceptance of at least one service. Both partners in 25% of couples reported using condoms at last coitus post-intervention compared to 6% pre-intervention. Couple concordance on use of contraception increased from 61% to 73%. First-ever HIV testing was delivered to 78% and 91% of women and men, respectively. This study supports further research and testing of home- and couple-based approaches to prevent the undesired consequences of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection through unprotected sex.