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

Abstract #118483

Caroline Quijada, MHS, c/o PHRplus, University Research Co, LLC, 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814, 301-718-3106, caroline_quijada@abtassoc.com, Marie Tien, MHS, Abt Associates Inc., 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814, and Tania Dmytraczenko, PhD, Abt Associates Inc, Suite 600, 4800 Montgomery Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814.

Background In many countries, people rely on the reproductive health (RH) services and commodities made available by governments and donor agencies. However, there is a growing financing gap as current levels of support are inadequate to meet the increasing demand for these services. CBHF schemes are increasingly popular in developing countries to reduce economic barriers to health care and reduce the risk of household debt caused by paying for health services. CBHF has the potential to increase access to RH services by offering the services as part of broader benefits packages and emphasizing preventive behaviors.

Intervention PHRplus is studying the use of community-based health financing (CBHF) schemes as a mechanism to increase the provision and financial sustainability of RH services and commodities.

Results The paper reports the benefits for facilities and providers participating with CBHF schemes which include a more reliable stock of commodities and other RH supplies made possible by regular income generated from schemes. Findings suggest that CBHF's are a financially viable approach for promoting use of priority RH services in an affordable and sustainable way. Lessons learned articulate strategies and develop alternative approaches to ensure the financial sustainability of RH services and commodities.

Learning Objectives: