A five-year plan for population research and family planning services. 3. Family planning services
Beckles, F.N.
Family Planning Perspectives 3(4): 49-64
1971
ISSN/ISBN: 0014-7354 PMID: 5140234 Document Number: 305714
A tentative family planning program plan for 1971-1975 is presented. The estimated need for family planning services by 1975 is projected to be 6.6 million individuals, classified as poor and medically indigent. The author states that more research is needed to project a similar need for higher income groups who have trouble controlling the number and timing of their children. With better research family planning services could help meet their needs too. The plan projects greater expansion of services to non-metropolitan areas to overcome a maldistribution of present programs. It is estimated that 90% of those in need can now be served by existing services, while new delivery agencies would need to be created to serve the remaining need. Manpower development of this plan calls for an expansion in the use and role of paraprofessional personnel. The utilization of operational research, planning and evaluation is needed for objective data, to help programmers determine shape and scope of required program, and to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. To do this a 3 phase 5 year plan is presented. As program services expand the role information, education and communication plays is critical. Development of these functions will help in reaching program goals. Projected estimates by 1975 of direct costs of provision of family planning services will be between 360 and 395 million dollars.