Family planning programs in developing countries
Ruprecht, T.K.; Wahren, C.
Development Digest 10(1): 7-17
1972
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-1576 PMID: 12261452 Document Number: 278452
Family planning programs in various developing countries are reviewed in the following areas: history, current activities, the role of foreign assistance, success, and future effectiveness. Foreign assistance--1st, private; then foundation and governmental--has played a major role in the formation of most developing nation family planning programs. Programs differ according to their national population policies and the degree of government involvement. Funding for selected programs is duscussed and tabulated. International aid has been instrumental in the last 2 decades in creating a generally favorable public opinion toward family planning. It is felt that foreign assistance will provide less operational aid in the future and be used more for research and evaluative activities. The programs will be considered to be progressing as less foreign aid is needed and more domestic aid provided. The problems with evaluating family planning programs by crude birth rate or births averted measurements are mentioned. Evaluation is made more difficult by the fact that programs receive credit for other socioeconomic changes which occur in the community. A multiple regression fertility model can be used to assess quantitative success in family planning programs. Contraceptive usage levels and continuation rates as part of the measure of success of any family planning program are discussed. These programs must struggle against loss of momentum.