5066.0: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - 9:30 AM

Abstract #6604

Asian family planning programs: theoretical assumptions hampering progress

george p. cernada, mph, drph and william a. darity, mph, phd. school of public health, university of massachusetts, 301 arnold house, university of massachusetts, amherst, MA 01003, 413-545-1314, gcernada@schoolph.umass.edu

Family planning programs in Asia have had remakable success in helping governments lower fertility rates(e.g., Taiwan) or been remarkable failures(e.g., Pakistan). This study reviews some of the fundamental assumptions about scientific approaches that both international and bilateral agencies as well as national family planning implementing institutions have made in the past 30 years.Dominant value orientations and their direct effect on community participation, bureaucratic efficiency and political will are reviewed in several countries(Taiwan, Korea, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India).The extent to which basic social philosophies and the place of public health in the medical and economic hierarchy determined how field research methods would be used or not to assess community needs, design communication and service strategies, involve communities and evaluate program progress is assessed based on long-time residence and experience with the programs. Lessons learned and their application to other geographical regions are presented.

Learning Objectives: Audience should be able to identify value-laden assumptions Asian family planning programs make and how these affect policy and program implementation in the field. Fundamental theoretical notions about scientific appproaches made by international donor agencies and national family planning/health ministries should be easily identified and how these may be modified to increase program success should be comprehended. Specific recommendations based on program successes will be available to listeners

Keywords: Adolescents, International, Family Planning

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: various Asian family planning program implementing agencies as well as related international agencies and foundations(e.g.,USAID, World Bank, ministries of Health/population
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.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA