Talking about LARCs with Young Clients

"Talk with a healthcare provider today about choosing the right contraceptive method for you."

Developed by the Health Communication Capacity Collaborative (HC3), these social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) resources are designed to facilitate communication between providers and young people around long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), such as the intrauterine device (IUD) and the implant. The materials spotlight LARCs as safe, effective, cost-effective, and appropriate for women of all ages - especially youth in low- and middle-income countries. Social and cultural biases, alongside misinformation, fear of side effects, lack of capacity, cost concerns, and other factors, often leave LARCs out of reach for young women ages 15-24, who suffer higher rates of unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and pregnancy-related complications or death than their older counterparts.

The materials include:

• A 3-minute animated video (see below) designed for providers who may counsel young women about modern contraceptive methods. It features Maria, a health care provider at a community clinic. Throughout the video, Maria addresses providers like her, reminding them why they should consider LARCs to be a viable choice for youth. At the end of the video, Maria provides four key tips for counseling youth on contraceptive methods, including LARCs, and asks her peers, "Are you ready to make a difference? Start by talking with your clients about LARCs today."
• A 37-page video discussion guide in Microsoft Word format that brings additional focus to key video themes on increasing youth LARC access, including addressing provider bias, providing appropriate family planning (FP) counseling for youth, and empowering youth as decision-makers in their FP choices. The guide outlines 2 activities: (i) a group discussion activity, which starts with watching the video and facilitating a discussion; and (ii) a role-play activity in which providers can practice counseling young clients about contraception, including LARCs.
• A 2-page take-home brochure (in 2 versions: one with photos [PDF] and one with stills from the video [PDF]) that provides information on LARCs for dissemination in clinic or non-clinic settings. It provides additional information on LARCs for youth in an inspirational and frank format through testimonials and taglines such as: "My best friend has an implant and is happy and worry-free. That's why I want to find out more." and "Achieve Your Dreams. Think about an IUD or implant."
• A series of 7 posters, available in English yet adaptable, encouraging youth to seek more information about LARCs and consider them as an appropriate method.