Report of the study on the organizational issues in community participation in national family planning programmes: a comparative analysis of five countries in the ESCAP region
Anonymous
Asian Population Studies Series 87: 24
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0066-8451 Document Number: 505788
A comparative analysis was made of the national family planning programmes in Bangladesh, China, Korea Republic, the Philippines and Thailand with reference to the nature and extent of community participation in the programmes. The main and long term purpose was: to develop a deeper understanding of participation at the village and/or district levels as a programme strategy on a national scale; and to facilitate the development of family planning as a way of life for the people in their respective communities so as to lessen the burden on the governments as providers of these services. Data were collected using questionnaires administered to policy makers, programme managers, field workers and community members, and through programme documents. It was concluded that community participation in all of the programmes is limited or non-existent, and a similar pattern was found across the board. First, there are individuals in the community, often volunteers, who provide some information and services; second, there is very little if any contribution of resources by community members; third, there is no participation at all in making decisions relating to the programme beyond identifying those delivering community-based services. This is very disappointing given the strong support for community participation in policy statements by governments and international funding agencies.