Two strategies were tested, with APROFAM, the IPPF affiliate in Guatemala, to increase the demand of services offered by reproductive health community promoters. The first strategy, known as the male strategy, intended the involvement of males in family planning decision making. The second strategy, known as the health strategy, included a first visit, in which the promoter would speak about health problems prevalent in the region, for which he or she had medication for treatment, but he or she would not mention family planning. During the second visit the promoter would speak about family planning, having won her trust during the first visit. To implement this intervention, a sample of 144 promoters was selected among a total of 1,300 eligible promoters. Informational materials were designed and tested . Sixteen training workshops were completed in the seven participating Departments. A total of 113 monitoring visits were conducted. Under this project, an estimated 2017 home visits were made: 1050 (52%) within the health strategy and 967 (48%) within the male strategy. Results show that 95% of promoters made home visits. The number of visits per promoter varied from 0 to 25, with a mean of 9. Factors affecting promoters´ performance were: lack of time to make the visits (50%), rain (20%), sickness (20%), and lack of support by the educator (10%). The presentation will compare which strategy is more effective to increase promoter performance and improve reproductive health at the community level.
Learning Objectives: Describe how to improve community promoters' performance Identify effective strategies to promote reproductive health services amongst indigenous populations
Keywords: Community Programs, Providers
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.