In 1997, the Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE) North-East branch office with financial support from Pathfinder International initiated a work-based RH program with the aim of decreasing the number of workdays lost due to unwanted pregnancy, sickness associated with pregnancy and delivery, and time spent searching for RH services. This USAID supported work-based program is benefiting over 2000 textile factory workers of which 45% are women. Before their present service in the factory, employees were travelling over 25 km to get FP and other RH services. Presently, 17 workplace peer promoters are providing information, non-clinical FP services, and referral to the factory workers and their families. To-date, 819 factory workers are using modern FP methods. As an indication of project achievement, the number of days lost due to maternity leave and leave before delivery decreased from 15,330 days in 1997 to 7,470 days in 2000. Acknowledging the advantages gained from these work-based RH services, the factory management is giving optimal support to the program. The overall results show an increase in the percent of workers using modern FP methods, a decrease in the number of workdays lost, and greater mangerial support from the factory. Therefore, the use of work-based RH programs is recommended in reaching hard-to-reach populations such as factory workers and their families.
Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Analyse the impact of work-based RH services offered in a textile factory in Ethiopia. 2. Discuss the advantages of using different service delivery approaches to increase service coverage and impact. 3. Demonstrate ways of interpreting health service statistics into economic values.
Keywords: Underserved Populations, International Reproductive Health
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.