SEED Assessment Guide for Family Planning Programming: A Holistic Approach to Assessing Family Planning Programs in Developing Countries

Robust, efficient, and comprehensive FP programs remain urgently needed if countries are to achieve their health, equity, and development goals. With a holistic perspective on meeting clients' reproductive intentions and improving health outcomes, the SEED Guide has broad applicability for health programming worldwide. This Guide's framework is based on EngenderHealth's SEED Programming Model, which asserts that FP programs holistically address the interdependent and mutually supportive areas of supply (S), enabling environment (EE), and demand (D) — an approach not taken historically. A literature review was conducted of FP/RH assessment guides, from which 26 programming elements necessary for a strong, comprehensive, and sustainable program were distilled. Technical review was conducted by internal/external professionals, followed by revisions based on field-testing in five countries. The Guide was implemented through a desk review, key informant interviews, and critical analysis. Field-testing results demonstrated the Guide's comprehensiveness and applicability (especially for mid-level professionals) for assessing FP programs. Based on preliminary findings, this Guide serves as a promising practice in FP program assessment, design, and planning. As such, this Guide can be used as a strategic planning and programming tool for strengthening national FP programs and addressing the multifaceted determinants of health through interventions that: address supply-related issues, including service availability and quality; strengthen health systems and foster an enabling environment for sexual and reproductive health-seeking behavior; and improve FP/RH knowledge and cultivate demand for services. Overall, this Guide seeks to improve FP/RH program outcomes in developing countries.