Community-based distribution (CBD) programs were initiated in Asia and Latin America in the 1970s and extended to Africa in the 1980s. Today, they remain an important vehicle for the provision of education,information, and contraceptives to women and men in isolated, rural, or otherwise underserved areas.
As part of a larger project called "Low Cost/High Quality Family Planning and Reproductive Health Services: NGO Case Studies," we studied CBD programs in Mexico (FEMAP, run by the Mexican Federation of Private Health and Community Development Associations) and South Africa (Planned Parenthood Association of South Africa (PPASA)) . Both organizations are private-not-for-profit, with common goals: to improve access and provide affordable high quality family planning and reproductive health services.
We will present the history of each program, its design, and indices of quality of care provided as well as program costs. Drawing from multiple data sources, including client, provider, and focus group interviews conducted by the authors during site visits, we present an analytic framework for understanding CBD program design, service quality, effectiveness and costs. We also examine the importance and role played by the crossover of CBD programs to other community development and health programs(e.g. IEC, preventive health care, social marketing of contraceptives).
Results suggest a number of factors that both facilitate and challenge program effectiveness, including both organizational and socio-cultural factors. Comparisons between FEMAP and PPASA are discussed, as well as considerations for program planning, evaluation, and further research.
See big.berkeley.eduLearning Objectives: This poster presentation should provide visitors with a greater understanding of: (1) Community-based distribution programs and their continuing role in developing countries (2) Factors that challenge and facilitate community-based distribution programs (3)Specific comparisons of two community-based distribution programs in Mexico and South Africa
Keywords: International Family Planning, Cost Issues
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: PPASA (South Africa)
FEMAP (Mexico)
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.