An interview schedule was administered to attending clients during the month of May 1998 in 9 clinics of the Centro Médico de Orientación y Planificación Familiar (CEMOPLAF) and 3 clinics the Centro Obstétrico Familiar (COF). A wide range of reproductive health visits was represented. A schedule was also administered to accompanying partners of interviewees and to male clients. Totals: 3,670 women clients, 448 accompanying partners, and 106 male clients. Additionally, a self-administered questionnaire was completed by 53 direct-service personnel (including 9 physicians and 8 midwives). Partners accompany 18% of female clients, and partners have accompanied 72% of clients at least once on similar visits. 93% of clients report that their partners are aware of their partners' medical visits and know the purposes of the visits, and 96.4% of clients expect to discuss with their partners the results of their consultations. Clients generally value their partners' accompaniment in clinic visits, as 89.2% say that they would like their partners to accompany them on their next similar visits. Of 505 women who received counseling together with their partners, only one said she did not like having her partner involved. 88.1% of clients say they would ask their partners to accompany them on their next medical consultations if their providers recommended this. All but one of the direct-service personnel favored expanding the offer of services to men, and only one provider did not want to serve men if training were provided. Qualitative data of interviews and questionnaires are reviewed also, and recommendations offered.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to: --describe patterns of partner involvement --describe patterns of client feelings and desires for partner involvement --describe patterns of provider feelings and desires for partner involvement
Keywords: International Reproductive Health, Latin American
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Centro Medico de Orientacion y Planificacion Familiar
Population Council
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.