Integrated birth spacing and MCH Program in Narativas Province
Bhiromrut, P.
Integration 1990(24): 28-32
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0916-0582 PMID: 12316429 Document Number: 372049
The author describes the birth control situation and the success achieved by the intensification of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) service in Narativas, one of the provinces of Thailand. In Narativas the contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) in 1984 was 25.9, while the national average was 64.6 percent. The "Expansion of Maternal and Child Health and Birth Spacing Program" was introduced in order to alter the situation. As a result, CPR increased to 34.3 percent in 1989, and the number of new acceptors doubled from 4,337 in 1983 to 8,299 in 1988. Since 78% of the population is Moslem, birth control methods cannot be introduced directly. Emphasis was laid on the role of religious leaders who were trained centrally. Community involvement in birth control was stimulated by selecting model mothers fulfilling strict criteria. Village health volunteers, traditional birth attendants and auxiliary midwives contributed to the project. Teams visited the villages at definite times to give information about birth spacing, conduct routine examination of pregnant mothers and children, administer immunizations and dispense drugs. Women already motivated to use modern contraceptives were offered services. 2 teams doubled the increase of MCH and birth spacing acceptors. The strategy, described in the review in detail, increased MCH coverage and reduced infant mortality. The service served 5,064 mothers in Narativas. Altogether 5,542 new family planning acceptors were referred to health centers for contraceptive services during the period of June 1985 - December 1988.