The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68927

Dana Gelfeld Aronovich, MHS¹, Alan H. Bornbusch, PhD², Steven A. Hawkins², Tanvi Pandit, MPH³, and Jeffrey Sine, PhD⁴. (1) DELIVER Project, John Snow, Inc., 1616 N. Fort Myer Dr., 11th Floor, Arlington, VA 22209, (703) 528-7474, dana_aronovich@jsi.com, (2) Bureau for Global Health, Office of Population and Reproductive Health , Commodities Security and Logistics Division, U.S. Agency for International Development, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20523-3601, (3) USAID, Bureau for Global Health, Office of Population and Reproductive Health , Commodities Security and Logistics Division, University of Michigan Fellowship Program, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20523-3601, (4) The Futures Group International, 1050 17th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036

The concept of contraceptive security (CS), or ensuring a continuous supply of contraceptives so that every person is able to choose, obtain, and use quality contraceptives whenever s/he needs them, is a critical component of family planning programs. Without a reliable and high quality supply of contraceptives, programs can not provide quality services to meet their clients’ needs. Program managers and international donor agencies need to know if their programs are progressing toward CS in order to ensure their success. How can such a multifaceted and long-term objective be measured?

A methodology has been developed to measure the level of CS in developing countries based on a set of indicators covering the primary components of contraceptive security. These components include: health environment, finance, logistics management, supply/access, and utilization. These indicators are compiled to establish a composite score for approximately 40 countries, which can be used to compare countries or to monitor overall progress across time within a country.

The results are a powerful tool for raising awareness about CS. They are also a useful guide for advocating for more rational resource allocation by country governments and global donors and lenders. Because the methodology highlights broad areas of strengths and weaknesses, in-country policymakers and donors can target their resources more effectively and appropriately to achieve a more secure supply of quality contraceptives. In-depth assessment will be required to evaluate specific areas of strengths and weaknesses for strategic planning and for judging the timeframe for how long donor assistance may be required.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
• Define contraceptive security and explain its relevance to family planning program outcomes.
• Discuss the common framework for contraceptive security and its different components.
• List the indicators to measure contraceptive security in developing countries.
• Describe how the Contraceptive Security Index can be used to measure contraceptive security and for advocacy to improve resource allocation by country governments and global donors and lenders.

Keywords: Advocacy, Family Planning

Related Web page: deliver.jsi.com

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.