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Guatemala – Overview of Country Activities:

Since 2002, the Institute has worked in Guatemala in collaboration with APROVIME, Belejeb Batz, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Guatemalan Social Security Institute (IGGS) to integrate the Standard Days Method (SDM) and expand family planning options in the public and private sectors. The Institute has also conducted research in Guatemala, including clinical trials and a long-term follow-up study for the TwoDay Method.

Collaboration with Belejeb Batz, a private sector NGO based in Quetzaltenango, established it as an in-country resource center for the SDM. They provide training, technical assistance, and IEC support and respond to requests from other NGOs.

In the public sector, the Institute is working with IGGS and the MOH. At the request of IGGS, in 2005 the Institute contracted a consultant to provide support to better integrate the SDM into their family planning program. This consultancy consisted of SDM training workshops for IGGS personnel, follow-up support and supervisory visits to community service personnel, and technical assistance to those responsible for managing and reporting client data, as well as the distribution of SDM related materials (CycleBeads, training manuals, provider job aids, etc). The Institute and its partners trained over 400 providers and the SDM is now available in 38 IGGS health centers.

Photo Gallery:

Local Partners:

  • APROVIME
  • Belejeb Batz
  • Guatemalan Social Security Institute (IGGS)
  • Ministry of Health (MOH)

Country Update

The Institute is working with the Ministry of Health in conjunction with the NGO APROVIME to implement a study to test alternative tools to teach the SDM. This study will compare correct use and continuation among women using CycleBeads and a leaflet with illustrations of the beads, both of which are designed to help women track their cycle days. This study will take place over an 18-month period and involve 600 SDM users. It is being implemented at the request of the MOH, which is committed to offering the SDM nationally. This study will provide useful information to guide policy for purchasing CycleBeads or the leaflet with illustrations in Guatemala and around the world.