IEC is fundamental
China Population Today 11(1): 10-11
1994
PMID: 12318704 Document Number: 311465
China's information, education, and communication [IEC] as part of the family planning program has been successful in Shaoxing County, Ningbo-Shaoxing Plain, Zhejiang Province: total 1992 population of 942.8 thousand, birth rate 14/1000, rate of natural increase 7/1000, and planned births 99%. Population education has been an important component of IEC and focuses on population theory, population policy, and population regulation through family planning. Organized workshops are available at the country level for training village leaders. There is inservice training of new administrators of family planning programs. Media has been used to promote the benefits of family planning for the state and families. Many couples have received only-child certificates, and many couples with permission to have a second child have willingly forfeited that opportunity. Recognition has been given to 300 units that have advanced and created better social environments. There has been an integration of ideological education and popular contraceptive knowledge. Reproductive and contraceptive knowledge has been enhanced through many lectures and training classes on producing healthy children, premarital planning, and pregnancy care. The country broadcasting station gives lectures on family planning. There is a family planning guidance station that provides counseling and publicity on commonly used methods. Social welfare projects are vigorously developed, such as old age homes in villages and kindergartens. Insurance plans have been initiated. Good contraceptive service provision and prenatal care are jointly part of the family planning programs. New methods such as the IUD have been successfully introduced and accepted by the population. IUD users since 1987 now number $6,581.