Longitudinal Analysis of Contraceptive Uptake Among Female Partners Following the Integration of Family Planning into Male Circumcision Services in Iringa, Tanzania

Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) is a key HIV prevention strategy in sub-Saharan Africa. Integrating family planning (FP) services into VMMC clinics is a potential strategy to improve reproductive health, but longitudinal evidence of its impact on the female partners of circumcised men is lacking. This study aimed to assess the long-term impact of integrating FP counselling and services into VMMC clinics on contraceptive uptake among the female partners of circumcised men in Iringa, Tanzania. A longitudinal cohort study was conducted. Men receiving VMMC and their female partners were recruited from clinics offering integrated FP services. Data on contraceptive use among female partners were collected at baseline and through repeated follow-up surveys over an extended period. Trends and associated factors were analysed using longitudinal regression models. Contraceptive uptake among female partners increased significantly following service integration. The proportion of women using a modern contraceptive method rose from 32% at baseline to 67% by the final follow-up. This increase was sustained and was significantly associated with men receiving FP counselling during their VMMC visit. The integration of family planning services into VMMC clinics was associated with a substantial and sustained increase in contraceptive uptake among the female partners of circumcised men. Policy makers and programme managers should consider the systematic integration of FP counselling and services into routine VMMC delivery. Further research should investigate the feasibility and impact of this model in other settings. family planning integration, male circumcision, contraceptive uptake, longitudinal study, Tanzania, reproductive health This study provides unique longitudinal evidence on the sustained positive impact of integrating family planning within male circumcision services on contraceptive uptake among women.