These Guidelines are intended to improve the knowledge, skills, and confidence of service providers in the delivery of high-quality sexual and reproductive health services.

Based on a client-rights approach, the Guidelines offer up-to-date evidence-based guidance on a range of sexual and reproductive issues, including family planning. 

In the seven years since the last edition, the Guidelines have been extensively updated and made consistent with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2004 Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use and Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use.

Like previous editions, the Guidelines were written with the support and technical expertise of IPPF’s International Medical Advisory Panel (IMAP).                                                                                              

Intended users

The intended users of the Guidelines are: 

• Programme planners and managers 
• Clinical services providers 
• Trainers
• Supervisors of clinical and community-based services 
• Doctors, nurses, midwives, and other health professionals

The recommendations are also relevant to community-based services and can be used for developing materials for these workers/volunteers - best done at the local level.

Instructions for use

The Guidelines can be used as a: 

• Guide for the delivery of services 
• Reference document for assessing quality of care
• Training instrument
• Tool for supervision