The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) promoted client-centered reproductive health programs and also recognized that improving women’s status is a key element of sustainable development. This paper looks at women’s self-determined participation in family planning services as a proxy for their empowerment. The study investigated what program and client characteristics explain client participation. Using data collected through situation analyses in for Burkina Faso and Senegal, a factor analysis was conducted on predictor variables--the quality of health and method counseling, consultation time, location of service delivery points, providers’ background, and clients’ demographic characteristics, among others. New clients were more likely to participate (possibly due to outreach efforts) but independent of this characteristic, quality of care, especially the quality of provider-client interactions (CPI), has a significant impact. Better counseling increased the likelihood of client’s participation 4.5 times in Burkina and 5 times in Senegal. For Burkina, clients who saw CPI-trained providers were significantly more likely to participate. Thus, provider’s training, particularly to improve counseling skills is a capital investment. In addition, for continuity and sustainability purposes, managers should emphasize the importance of focusing on returning clients as well as new clients. Finally, clients with more education were more likely to participate, underscoring ICPD’s emphasis on improving women’s status. Among other benefits, educating women and girls increases their involvement in the family planning consultation process, thereby empowering them to take charge of their reproductive health.
Learning Objectives: 1. To cite evidence that supports the importance of client-provider interactions in family planning programs 2. To describe the implications of findings for training of family planning providers and education of women and girls
Keywords: International Family Planning, Women's Quality Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: This abstract was withdrawn per Maryse's request on 9/5/01.
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.