Family planning services in Timor Leste: national health facility survey (2024).

Abstract

Timor-Leste National Family Planning Policy was implemented in 2022, encouraging both natural and modern contraceptive methods in all health facilities. In 2024 a Facility Survey on Family Planning and Reproductive Health was conducted, aiming to assess the status of family planning (FP) policy implementation, to strengthen FP services in Timor-Leste. This cross-sectional survey included 293 health facilities across Timor-Leste. Findings are presented descriptively using tables. Among the facilities surveyed, 90·4% reported offering FP services. However, the range of commodities available was less than recommended. Many facilities (68·3%) lacked FP-related guidelines, checklists, and job aids. Three quarters (221 of 293) of facilities surveyed had trained staff actively providing modern contraceptive methods, the majority (43·3%) being midwives. More than half (57·1%) of health facilities surveyed reported having ICT infrastructure, which were sometimes used for FP stock management, and the majority of facilities (69·2%) ordered FP supplies themselves. This survey found that the FP policy has been implemented in most health facilities. Recommendations arising from this study include broader dissemination and communication about the FP Policy across all service levels, and introduction of innovative strategies to strengthen logistics and ICT to support procurement. This work was supported by funding from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dili, Timor-Leste.