Researchers asked health officials from 64 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia about how they combine family planning services with nutrition programs. They found that many countries are already connecting these services, especially helping new mothers with breastfeeding advice. However, most countries could do much more to link these programs together. When family planning and nutrition services work as a team, women and girls get better health care because they receive complete support during pregnancy, after birth, and while raising their families.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether countries are combining family planning services (helping people plan pregnancies) with nutrition programs (making sure people eat well) to better support women and girls
  • Who participated: Health ministry officials from 64 countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia answered an online survey between August and December 2023
  • Key finding: In 40 countries, family planning and nutrition services are already connected, especially for breastfeeding support after birth. However, 24 countries don’t have these programs linked yet, and officials think there’s room to improve in most places
  • What it means for you: If you live in a low- or middle-income country, this research suggests your government should consider connecting family planning clinics with nutrition programs so women get complete care in one place. This is still developing in many countries, so changes may take time

The Research Details

Researchers sent an online survey to health officials in 79 countries across three regions: Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean (Middle East and North Africa), and Southeast Asia. The survey asked detailed questions about what family planning and nutrition programs each country has, how they’re run, and whether they work together. Officials answered between August 29, 2023 and December 15, 2023. The researchers also looked at recent information from the United Nations and the World Health Organization to add context to what officials reported.

This type of study is called a survey or cross-sectional study because it takes a snapshot of what’s happening right now in different countries, rather than following people over time. The researchers weren’t testing a new treatment or comparing two different approaches—they were simply asking officials what currently exists and what they think could work better.

Understanding what countries are already doing helps identify best practices and find gaps. By asking health officials directly, researchers learned what’s working well and where improvements are needed. This information is important because family planning and nutrition are both critical for women’s health, especially during pregnancy and after birth. When these services are separated, women might miss important information or support.

This study has good response rate (81% of countries responded), which means the findings represent most of the region. However, the study only asked officials what they think exists—it didn’t verify whether programs actually work as described or measure real health outcomes. The findings show what countries report having, not necessarily what’s actually available to women on the ground. The study is recent (2023-2024) so the information is current, but it’s based on officials’ perspectives rather than independent verification.

What the Results Show

Almost all countries in Southeast Asia (100%), most in Africa (83%), and most in the Middle East (92%) reported having a national nutrition program. This shows that nutrition programs are widespread across these regions.

In 40 countries where family planning and nutrition services are already connected, the most common connection is breastfeeding counseling given to new mothers in the first two days after birth—this happens in all 40 countries. Nearly all of these countries (98%) also provide nutrition education and counseling during pregnancy alongside family planning services.

In the 24 countries without integrated programs, health officials said the best ways to connect services would be through food assistance, cash support for nutrition, and iron supplements for women of childbearing age. More than half of all officials (58%) thought integrating nutrition with family planning services would be helpful.

The research shows that different regions have very different approaches. Southeast Asia has the most complete nutrition programs, while Africa and the Middle East vary more widely. Officials recognized that vulnerable groups—like poor women, young girls, and women in rural areas—need special attention when connecting these services. The study also found that task-sharing (where different types of health workers provide services) is already happening in many countries, which could make integration easier.

This is one of the first studies to systematically ask health officials about integrating family planning and nutrition services across multiple countries. Previous research has shown that these services should work together because pregnancy, breastfeeding, and family planning are all connected to nutrition. This study confirms that some countries are already doing this, but many more could benefit from better integration.

The study only asked what officials think exists—it didn’t check whether programs actually work well or reach the women who need them. Officials might report programs that look good on paper but don’t work well in practice. The study didn’t measure whether women actually received better care when services were integrated. Also, the survey was online, which might have made it harder for some officials in countries with limited internet access to respond. Finally, the study only covered three regions, so findings might not apply to other parts of the world.

The Bottom Line

Health officials and governments in low- and middle-income countries should consider connecting family planning clinics with nutrition programs. This appears to work best when done around pregnancy, breastfeeding, and postpartum care. Countries without integrated programs should start by connecting breastfeeding support, pregnancy nutrition counseling, and iron supplementation with family planning services. Confidence level: Moderate—this is based on what officials think would work, not yet proven by measuring health outcomes.

This matters most to women and girls in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia who use family planning or nutrition services. It’s also important for health officials, doctors, nurses, and policymakers who plan health services. If you live in a high-income country with well-developed health systems, your services may already be integrated, so this research is less directly relevant to you.

Changes to health systems take time. If a country decides to integrate these services, it might take 1-2 years to plan, train staff, and start implementation. Women might see benefits within 6-12 months after integration begins, but full benefits could take 2-3 years as systems improve and more women access integrated care.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you’re a woman of childbearing age, track whether you receive nutrition counseling when you visit family planning clinics. Log the date, type of advice given (breastfeeding, pregnancy nutrition, iron supplements), and which clinic provided it. This helps you notice if services are becoming more connected.
  • Ask your health provider if they offer nutrition counseling alongside family planning services. If not, request a referral to a nutrition program. If your clinic does offer both, take advantage of all services available—don’t skip the nutrition counseling even if you’re mainly there for family planning.
  • Over the next year, track whether your local health clinics are improving their integration of services. Note which services are offered together and which still require separate visits. Share feedback with clinic managers about what would make it easier for you to access both services. This helps health systems understand what women actually need.

This research describes what health officials report about their programs—it does not measure actual health outcomes or prove that integrated services improve women’s health. The findings apply mainly to countries in Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean region, and Southeast Asia. If you’re pregnant, planning pregnancy, or have nutrition concerns, consult with your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice. This article is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical guidance. Health systems and programs vary widely by country and location, so availability of integrated services depends on where you live.