About the IUD Toolkit

What are K4Health Toolkits?

What is the purpose of this toolkit?

Who developed this toolkit?

Who are the publishers of the resources?

What types of resources are included?

Who are the intended audiences?

How do I get started using this toolkit?

How can I suggest a resource to include in this toolkit?

How can I make a comment or give feedback about this toolkit?

What are K4Health Toolkits?

K4Health Toolkits are electronic collections of carefully selected information resources on a particular topic for health policy makers, program managers, and service providers. They are based on a continuous publishing principle that allows them to evolve after publication to capture additional resources and to identify and fill remaining information gaps. 

What is the purpose of this toolkit?

There are many concerns surrounding the IUD, including misperceptions and unfounded myths among providers and potential users. This toolkit was created to alleviate uncertainties while providing positive evidence-based practices about the IUD. It also provides guidance and tools to update, expand or develop IUD service provision programs. Expanding access to the IUD with high quality services helps fulfill women’s right to contraceptive choice and contributes to sustainable family planning programs.

This toolkit provides comprehensive, standardized, scientifically accurate, and evidence-based information on the IUD. It also provides guidance on best practices as well as tools to help improve access to and quality of IUD services.

The toolkit sections originally focused on information about the copper-bearing TCu-380A IUD. Information about the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) was subsequently added to the toolkit - both within the Hormonal IUD section and within each individual tab as relevant - and more will be added as it becomes available. 

Because it is a long-term, reversible method, the IUD could meet the contraceptive needs of many women. Expanding access to the IUD with high-quality services helps fulfill women’s right to contraceptive choice and contributes to sustainable family planning programs.

Who developed this toolkit?

Members of the IUD Subcommittee of USAID's Maximizing Access and Quality Initiative compiled this toolkit. These members are experts in international reproductive health and family planning, and work in the areas of program planning, training, advocacy, marketing, research, policy, and logistics. They each hold a commitment to promoting evidence-based practices in reproductive health and believe that the IUD is a valuable component of family planning programs and adds to women’s contraceptive choice.

For more information on how this toolkit was developed, see the presentation from the MAQ IUD Subcommittee on Developing an Online Toolkit (2007 | 17 slides)

The following international organizations working in reproductive health and family planning have selected the most up-to-date and relevant information related to IUD use and provision for inclusion in this Toolkit:

To contact the MAQ IUD Subcommittee with questions or comments about the IUD Toolkit, please an send e-mail message to toolkits@k4health.org.

Who are the publishers of the resources?

The MAQ IUD Subcommittee cast a wide net for resources to include in this toolkit to ensure that it was of the highest quality and most relevant for policymakers, program managers, and service providers worldwide. Publishers of resources included in this toolkit are varied and include: 

What types of resources are included?

This toolkit was created to provide guidance and tools to update, develop, or expand IUD services in reproductive health programs. It contains:

  • Tools and resources to help implement a variety of IUD-related activities
  • A compilation of the most up-to-date knowledge and best practices on IUDs
  • Resources on the most up-to-date evidence from the World Health Organization and other international reproductive health organizations
  • Case studies on IUD-related activities from several countries

Who are the intended audiences?

The toolkit is intended for use by:

  • Policy makers and program managers who are interested in adding or improving existing IUD services
  • Providers, potential clients, teachers, and students who are interested in accurate information about IUDs 

How do I get started using this toolkit?

Expanding access to and use of IUDs requires a holistic approach–-including accurate information; up-to-date policies and guidelines; quality training, supervision, and services; effective communication and marketing; and proper logistics. This toolkit provides information on all these elements and contains tools and resources to help you implement a variety of IUD-related activities.

To browse the contents of this toolkit, use the tabs above to view resources related to programmatic topics relevant to family planning programs. Each tab includes a list of a number of high-quality resources selected by the MAQ IUD Subcommittee, further organized by sub-topic. Click on the title of the resource for more information about it, or click on the full-text link to get direct access to the full resource. For more details about how to navigate through this toolkit, view the presentation on An Introduction to the IUD Toolkit (2011 | 13 slides).

Some of the tools are readily available in an adaptable format (for example, Microsoft Word documents and PowerPoint presentations). We encourage you to alter and personalize these tools for your own use (please remember to credit the source). If you do use these tools or adapt them, we would love to hear from you. Please e-mail us. (To make a comment about the toolkit or suggest a resource, use the discussion board.)

How can I suggest a resource to include in this toolkit?

We invite you to contribute to evolving and enhancing this toolkit. If you have developed or use quality resources that you think should be included in the toolkit, please use the discussion board to suggest them. The toolkit collaborators will review and consider your suggestions.

How can I make a comment or give feedback about this toolkit?

If you have comments about the toolkit, please join the discussion. This is your interactive discussion board where you can provide continuous feedback about the toolkit. Your feedback will help to ensure the toolkit remains up-to-date and is continually improved. The discussion board is also where you can exchange information with other toolkit users. For example, you can share ideas about how you have used the toolkit in your work so that others can learn from and adapt your experiences.