Increasing access to family planning services in rural Mali through community-based distribution
Katz, K.R.; West, C.G.; Doumbia, F.; Kane, F.
International Family Planning Perspectives 24(3): 104-110
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0190-3187 DOI: 10.2307/3038206Document Number: 334516
A community-based contraceptive distribution (CBD) programme was incorporated into an NGOs primary health care system in two subdistricts in rural southern Mali. In two other subdistricts, information and education alone were provided by primary health care workers. A fifth subdistrict served as a control group. Contraceptive knowledge, attitudes and practices were measured prior to programme implementation in a pretest survey of 2,994 women and men (December 1991-February 1992). After 18 months, a post-test survey of 2,551 women and men was conducted. Women's knowledge of at least one modern contraceptive method was greater after the intervention than before for all three groups: 99% vs. 10% in the CBD group, 71% vs. 10% in the education-only group and 53% vs. 10% in the control group. Women's current use of a modern contraceptive method also increased, from 1% to 31% in the CBD group, from 1% to 10% in the education-only group, and from 2% to 14% in the control group. Oral contraceptives and spermicides were the most popular methods in the CBD group, while the pill accounted for almost all contraceptive used in the education-only and control groups. Similarly, men's ever-use of condoms increased from 9% to 35% in the CBD group and from 7% to 16% in the education-only group, compared with use levels of 6% vs. 10% in the control group. The CBD approach tested in rural Mali raised contraceptive knowledge and practice through use of an existing health care framework.