The availability of quantitative information on family planning practices is useful for short- and long-term analysis and strategizing among researchers, program managers and policymakers. One such source, the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) program, implemented by Macro International, collects information from personal interviews with random samples of women (and sometimes men) of reproductive age in a large number of developing countries. Surveys are typically conducted every three to five years, with findings generally considered representative at the national or regional level. However the need often emerges for information at more frequent intervals or smaller geographical areas than the DHS allow. The Family Planning Program Monitoring and Evaluation System (FPPMES), developed by John Snow Inc. and the Family Planning Service Expansion and Technical Support (SEATS) Project, estimates quarterly contraceptive prevalence rates drawing on public service distribution statistics. This simple system allows contraceptive prevalence estimates to be made in a timely, low-cost manner in the intervals between population-based surveys. The present research compares the FPPMES methodology with recent DHS data from countries with different contraceptive environments, analyzes reasons for any differences between the two data sources, and presents recommendations outlining the circumstances under which the FPPMES system could be most appropriate for reporting of contraceptive prevalence rates in the absence of survey statistics.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will be able to assess opportunities for estimating contraceptive prevalence rates from family planning service statistics in different settings to supplement DHS survey findings
Keywords: Contraceptives, Data/Surveillance
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.