Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #116113

River Finlay, MPH, IPPF/WHR, 120 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, 212.214.0251, rfinlay@ippfwhr.org and Giselle Carino, International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region, 120 Wall Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10005-3902.

While many organizations acknowledge that mobile units are an innovative strategy to facilitate access to services to marginalized populations, little rigorous evaluation or formal research has been implemented to substantiate these claims. In response to the absence of formal research, International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region (IPPF/WHR) initiated a study to research and showcase best practices in mobile service delivery through case studies from member associations who are currently operating different models in Guatemala, Trinidad and Colombia. The purpose of the project is to understand from the perspective of project managers, coordinators, providers and clients, the most important steps in assessing need and developing and operating mobile units in resource poor settings to deliver effective and high quality services in a reliable and sustainable way. The project began with a literature review to determine the state of the field, mobile unit projects were identified in three countries, and then IPPF/WHR staff carried out site visits to gather data. The subsequent research outlines practical recommendations for program planners in the field on how to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate reproductive health service provision using mobile unit models. The project identifies key elements that contribute to effectiveness, including the documentation of factors that should be incorporated when planning to implement a mobile unit strategy such as quality of care, cost and staffing. The study also documents challenges encountered and lessons learned.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to describe different models of service that can be used to reach vulnerable populations and identify practical recommendations for program planners for the design, planning, implementation and evaluation of mobile health units as a strategy to increase access to reproductive health services.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.