The Zaire situation analysis study
African alternatives 1992(4): 6
1992
PMID: 12285350 Document Number: 319581
This article reports the findings of a July 1991 situation analysis of 108 family planning service delivery points (SDPs) in Zaire, a study conducted by the Zaire Projet des Services des Naissances Desirables (PSND) and the Population Council's Africa OR/TA Project. 56 of the SDPs were administered by PSND, a government agency, 38 by SANRU, a Christian health organization, and 14 by ASBEF, an IPPF affiliate. Through interviews and observation, research teams gathered information from providers and clients on the quality of care and on the availability and functioning of 7 family planning subsystems. The study uncovered a very low level of family planning activity at SDPs. The median monthly number of new and continuing clients seen at an SDP was only 7.5 (less than 1 client for every 2 working days of the month). The median number ranged from a high of 16.4 at PSND clinics to a low of 2.7 at SANRU clinics. Furthermore, an analysis of the number of clients visiting SDPs over a 3-month period revealed that very few SDPs serve the bulk of these clients. The study also found that many SDPs lack the necessary equipment for providing quality family planning services, and that 37% of all SDPs had not received supervisory visits over a 6-month period. PSND will use the findings of the situation analysis to redesign and improve the national family planning program, once political conditions allow it. In order to upgrade the system, PSND will have to address the need for basic clinic equipment, improve the contraceptive logistics system, and institute regular clinic supervision routines.