Community-based
health service approach for effective family planning
S.S. Özalp
Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine,
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eskisehir, Turkey
Objective:
Family
planning (FP) is one of several primary health measures that can be delivered
safely, effectively, and cheaply through community-based health services
(CBHS). The aim of this presentation is to discuss CBHS model for effective FP. Design
and Methods: Two projects that were implemented by using the CBHS model are
discussed. The aim of the first project was to inform men on FP and sexually
transmitted diseases (STD) and therefore to contribute to the improvement of
family health by exhibiting a model of well established relationship between
the volunteers and governmental organizations (Ozalp S., Hassa H., Koral S., Cevikbilen T., Satiroglu H.: The project
on health education of men on family planning and sexually transmitted diseases
in the province of Balikesir, Turkey. 7th Congress of the European Society
of Contraception, 10-13 April, 2002, Genova, Italy). Education was given by 24
male community workers who were trained by conferences, group meetings and
panels. Information, education and communication materials were developed and
distributed. The members of the local and national mass media were informed on
the project activities as well as reproductive and sexual health and their
support was ensured. The aim of the second project was to mobilize the
community’s own resources, and women leaders and field supervisors were
selected and trained to take part in fieldwork (Ozalp S., Koral S., Topkara N.:
The influence of community-based health service approach on effective
contraceptive choice in a slum area of Ankara, Turkey. Contraceptive Choices
and Realities, eds, van Lunsen RHW, Unzeitig V, Creatsas G. The Parthenon
Publishing Group, New York. 2000, p. 221-227). There were 10.557 married women
in the area and %98.4 were reached. Results:
In the first project total of 12.945 men were informed through personal talks
by the male community workers. At the end of the project, the ratio of those
who reported to use the FP methods were increased from 57.8 to % 79.2%. In the
second project, as a result of information/motivation during house visits, 36%
of women using modern methods were raised to 74.6%. Conclusion: From the first project, it was found that
well-organized man to man education was very effective in male involvement for
family planning and STD prevention. In the second project, majority of the
women were educated on family planning, motivated to use an effective method
and change of behavior was accomplished. Both projects were financially
supported by international donors. When the financial support ceases, the
continuation and evaluation of the activities become a problem in CBHS model.