Ecuador family planning programs began at the end of the 1960s. Ecuador reported a total fertility rate (TFR) of 3.5 for the period of 1990-1995, and a TFR of 2.8 in 1998. In terms of contraceptive use, Ecuador reported a contraceptive prevalence of 57 percent in 1994. Family planning (FP) services in Ecuador are offered by the Ministry of Health, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other private providers. NGOs make a special effort to offer high quality services in order to remain competitive with Ministry of Health facilities, which offer services free of charge. All health facilities from two NGOs were included in the fieldtest (21 and 22), for a total of 43 urban facilities (i.e., the universe of facilities for the two institutions). Data collection was conducted during a single day at each clinic, and an attempt was made to observe and interview all FP clients who attended the facility that day. Two instruments were applied: client provider observation and exit interview to assess counseling sessions and clinical examinations for FP clients. This study examines if there are important differences in the information collected by these instruments. A total of 584 clients with 178 new clients participated in the study. There are no significant differences between the information collected by the client provider observation and the exit interview instruments. Discussion would include several issues: 1) reliability, 2) Hawthorne effect and courtesy bias, 3) questions included in the instruments, 4) implications and 5) further applications
Learning Objectives: 1. List ten indicators for Quality Care in Family Planning programs 2. Discuss methodology to measure Quality Care in Family Planning programs
Keywords: Family Planning, Quality of Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.