Evaluation of the effect of the Momentum project on family planning outcomes among first-time mothers aged 15–24 years in Kinshasa, DRC

Abstract

ObjectivesThis article presents the effect of Momentum, a nursing student-led community-based service delivery project, on postpartum family planning (FP) outcomes among first-time mothers in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Study designWe employed a quasi-experimental design, with three intervention and three comparison health zones (HZ). Data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires in 2018 and 2020. The sample consisted of 1927 nulliparous women aged 15–24 years who were 6 months pregnant at baseline. Random effects and treatment effects models were used to assess the effect of Momentum on 14 postpartum FP outcomes. ResultsThe intervention group was associated with a unit increase of 0.6 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.4, 0.8)) in contraceptive knowledge and personal agency (95% CI: 0.3, 0.9), a unit decrease of 0.9 (95% CI: −1.2, −0.5) in the number of FP myths/misconceptions endorsed, and percentage point increases of 23.4 (95% CI: 0.2, 0.3) in FP discussion with a health worker, 13.0 (95% CI: 0.1, 0.2) in obtaining a contraceptive method within 6 weeks of delivery, and 13.3 (95% CI: 0.1, 0.2) in modern contraceptive use within 12 months of delivery. Intervention effects included percentage point increases of 5.4 (95% CI: 0.0, 0.1) in partner discussion and 15.4 (95% CI: 0.1, 0.2) in perceived community support for postpartum FP use. The level of exposure to Momentum was significantly associated with all behavioral outcomes. ConclusionsThe study demonstrated the effect of Momentum on increased postpartum FP-related knowledge, perceived norms, personal agency, partner discussion, and modern contraceptive use. ImplicationsCommunity-based service delivery by nursing students can potentially lead to improved postpartum FP outcomes among urban adolescent and young first-time mothers in other provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other African countries.