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

Abstract #116214

John A. Ross, PhD¹, John Stover¹, and Demi Adelaja². (1) The Futures Group, 80 Glastonbury Blvd, Glastonbury, CT 06033, 860 633 3501, jross@futuresgroup.com, (2) Futures Group, 80 Glastonbury Blvd., Glastonbury, CT 06033

“Measures of Effort by National Family Planning Programs: Recent Changes.”

The Sixth Round (2004) of the Family Planning Program Effort Index provides new estimates for 30 features of national family planning programs, together with additional information on their relation to HIV/AIDs and broader reproductive health activities. This study, the only one of its type, covers about 90 developing countries, and updates earlier rounds including two post-Cairo, in 1994 and 1999. Data come from approximately 800 respondents in some 90 countries, who rate the national programs on a standard questionnaire. An overall index is produced, accompanied by four sub-indexes for policies, services, evaluation, and contraceptive access, all based upon 30 program features. The global trends are presented, with geographic contrasts. In the past the initially low-performing countries have improved faster than better-performing countries and this is tested. Also updated is the dominant pattern for contraceptive access to differentiate countries more than any other feature. Poor access to particular methods is examined as a correlate of unmet need and low contraceptive use. New data are provided on current policy reasons for national programs, including attention to youth, the poor, and postpartum/postabortion concerns. Information is included on emerging forces that act on established family planning programs, such as HIV/AIDS programs, broadened reproductive health objectives, decentralization actions, and funding shifts. Finally, a methodological change is assessed, which shortened the questionnaire, and the results are compared to the standard long form used in earlier rounds.

Learning Objectives:

• To raise understanding of recent changes in national family planning programs

Keywords: Family Planning, Contraception

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.

Recorded presentation