Table 1 Description of intervention

1

Training on reproductive health/family planning (FP) and post-training evaluation

Medical training: Reproductive health and FP, counselling, quality of services, and IUD insertion and removal Business training: Basic budgeting skills, record keeping, stock management, branding, marketing, and the voucher management The training was followed by a post-training evaluation conducted by an external consultant (medical doctor)

2

Female community mobiliser (FCM)

The FCM was a local resident of the community and underwent training on FP methods, the voucher distribution system, and record keeping; she also paid door to door visits, raised awareness, generated referrals, and distributed vouchers for the IUD to eligible women, identified through a poverty scale

Each service provider was complemented with one FCM

3

Male community mobilisers (MCM)

MCM was a local resident of the district; he underwent training and was responsible for targeting male community members; he formed community support groups comprised of key community stakeholders and conducted frequent Mohallah (neighbourhood) meetings

There is one MCM per 10 service providers in a district

4

Voucher for a long-term contraceptive method (IUD)

A voucher was worth PKRs 200 (US $2.27) and only for IUD (insertion, follow-up, and removal) services; a voucher could be redeemed at Suraj clinics; later the reimbursement was sent to the provider against her claim

5

Branding/marketing

Providers’ clinics were branded as ‘Suraj’ clinics while marketing was done through FCM, posters, wall paintings, leaflets, etc.; a signboard with a ‘Suraj’ logo was displayed above the gates of the Suraj clinics