2003 Science & Research Forum

Biosketch:

Marcos Arevalo, MD, MPH, is Assistant Professor in the Department of OB-GYN, Institute for Reproductive Health, Georgetown University, Washington, DC. As Manager of Clinical Trials and Biomedical Research, he is involved in international research including in the area of natural family planning. He received his medical training in El Salvador, his MPH from Tulane University, and additional training at Georgetown University.

Presentation Abstract:

The Standard Days Method in Rural Peru

The Standard Days Method (SDM), a 95% effective method of natural family planning based on a fixed fertile window on days 8-19 of each cycle, has been officially incorporated into the service provision of the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Peru.

The SDM is being offered and taught by MOH midwives and other health workers in two districts of the department of San Martin, in the amazonic region of Peru. Demand for the method is high; client and provider satisfaction are very high. The SDM is clearly filling a gap in the services and supplies available at the Ministry of Health facilities. Contingent on results, this project will be considered as the first step towards making the SDM available at MOH sites in other regions of the country and eventually nationwide.

This presentation will include preliminary data and information on this project, as well as lessons learned from the experience, which can be useful for incorporation of the SDM and other natural methods to programs throughout the world.

Commentary:

Several years ago we heard from Dr. Arevalo about the Standard Days Method that was being piloted as a simple to learn and use method of naturally family planning for third world countries. Further data will be presented on the efficacy and couple satisfaction of this method. There are many methods of natural family planning, probably at least a dozen. The question is, which method works best for a given country, culture, or couple? With an answer to that question, how do we get the "good news" to the people?