Tonga: family planning survey

A survey was carried out in 1975 in Tonga to determine how many families are practicing family planning. Public health nurses visited every household except the Niuas and remote islands. 4253 women out of the total of 9307 married women aged 15-44 years were using a contraceptive (45.7%). The percentage of users ranged from 4.5% in Ha'afeva District to 63.6% in the district of Kolonga. 60% of the users practice effective methods such as the pill, Depo-Provera, IUD, or sterilization; 23% use the condom, and 17% rely on withdrawal, calendar ovulation, or rhythm.     

Reliability estimates of some survey data on family planning

Summary A follow-up study employing the panel design which aimed to evaluate the temporal stability of rural respondents' answers to KAP and fertility-related questions after a lapse of nearly five months revealed that reports by females on factual data dealing with socio-economic and demographic topics are as highly reliable as are those of males. The study based on 79 males and 81 females in Haryana further supports the hypothesis that re-test reliabilities of factual data such as respondent's age, religion, occupation, etc. are substantially higher than those of knowledge about contraceptives. Attitude items showed very low re-test reliabilities although the internal consistency reliabilities of the two attitude scales were found to vary within the range of 0.72 to 0.88. Both attitude scales were found to have a very high reproducibility coefficient, all higher than 0.95, for both the interview sessions. Re-test reliabilities of data on contraceptive use were also found to be moderately high. However, the rates of loop insertion and condom use as reported by female respondents are likely to show a substantial amount of gross error as is evident from their low re-test reliabilities. The findings of the present study cast serious doubt on the assumption that married males are not capable of accurately reporting the pregnancy histories of their wives. Several implications of the findings are discussed. From the methodological point of view they suggest a need to develop improved techniques for assessing attitudes toward family planning programmes and abortion as well as to knowledge of contraceptive methods and desired family size. The findings also justify the inclusion of eligible male respondents in KAP and fertility surveys.     

A survey of the family planning work done in Dongguan County

The total fertility rate of women of childbearing age of Dongguan County in China has been decreasing gradually from 5.9 during the period following the liberation in 1949 to 2.05 in 1982. In order to encourage young couples to implement the policy of family planning consciously, the people's government of Dongguan county decided in July 1980 that all cadres and employees in county towns who received 1-child certificates would be exempted from house rent of 45 square meters from the time they get their certificates and would be allocated a living space of a 2-children family until their children reached age 16. It also stipulated that every couple could enjoy 1 month's holiday every year for 3 years and during the holiday, their salary, bonus and rate of attendance would not be affected. Because women bear less children today, they are relieved from heavy household chores and become the main working force in collective production. As a result, the development of town-run enterprises was stimulated and the total industrial output value of these enterprises increased. The average monthly salary of each female worker is about 100 yuan. In 1984, the average income per capita of the country rose to 649.2 yuan. The implementation of family planning work has eased the tension in the education field. Previously, because of the large number of school-age children in rural areas, teachers had to teach 2 classes. In the past 4 years, great emphasis was laid on intellectual investment. During this period, 2351 schools were built and several fundraising projects were implemented. Since 1981, more than 200 new running water projects were built, and new public services have been developed, including old age homes.     

A survey of work done by the China family planning association

The China Family Planning Association was set up in May 1980 as a nongovernmental organization under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. Funds come from the government, international organizations, and individual or community donations. 13 branches have been established so far. The Association has contributed to publicity, education, and research: members have given lectures on family planning, genetics, and population theory, and have helped develop contraceptives. The lectures on population problems have been published. In addition, the Association's periodical "Ren Sheng" is published bimonthly, and has a circulation of 125,000. Meeting have been convened for the exchange of information and experience among family planning workers. The Association organized tripartite seminars with IPPF and JOICFP in June and October, 1983. Under the auspices of the Association, 8 trainees have been sent to the David Owen Center in the United Kingdom for a Year's study, and 1 trainee was sent to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The Association was accepted as a full member of the IPPF at the conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, in November, 1983.     

Comprehensive understanding of "truth of China's family planning practices"

This is an account of the tour by 25 U.S. Congressmen to the Peoples' Republic of China in November 1986 to determine the degree of coercion in the family planning program. 1st, the delegates attended a conference in Beijing, introducing the family planning program in China, lead by the minister of the China State Family Planning Commission. Then they had talks with researchers at the Population Research Centre. The group split up and some inspected the Nanjing Institute of Family Planning Management. Others went to Shanghai and visited the International Peace Hospital of Maternity and Child Care. 2 delegates travelled to a rural community in Jiangsu Province. Thus, the congressmen and women got a wide exposure of central authorities and local organizations. A spokesman for the Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee emphasized that the few incidents of coercion were exceptions, contrary to policy, and greatly spectacularized in the western press. Some cases were merely a variety of management style, and were dealt with by admonition. Women usually go for abortions on their own request. Those who have unplanned births are subject to social pressure and taxation. China's population policy must be respected as it is designed to meet her particular needs.     

Some estimates of the reliability of survey data on family planning

An opportunity to estimate the reliability of survey data on family planning is afforded by a longitudinal study of fertility in metropolitan areas of the United States. A probability sample of mothers was interviewed six months after the birth of their second child. Data were collected on a number of pregnancies, use of contraception, methods used, and the planning status of each pregnancy, in addition to a wide variety of social and psychological characteristics. Three years after the first interview, the same women were interviewed again and identical questions were asked about the same pregnancies. This paper reports an analysis of the consistency of responses in the basic fertility and contraceptive histories. Given the simplicity of the pregnancy histories, the relatively sophisticated sample interviewed, and the intensive preparation of the research, the reliabilities of data on family planning estimated here are assumed to approximate to an upper limit for such data at the present stage of development of survey techniques. Some suggestions for possible future improvement are included.     

计划生育培训者面临的挑战机遇和发展

学习化社会的到来 ,计划生育的新任务给计划生育培训者提出了新的要求 ,带来了新的挑战 ,同时也创造了发展的机遇。这就要求计划生育培训者从行业知识和业务手段两方面来充实自己 ,以适应新的形势和工作任务     

实践"三个代表"重要思想打破计划生育相对封闭状态

本文认为计划生育工作应适应新的形式,实践“三个代表”的主要思想,打破相对封闭的状态。     

Quality of care and family planning drop-outs in Bukidnon province: a survey study

A study was undertaken in the province of Bukidnon in the Philippines to determine the actual percentage of family planning (FP) acceptors who become dropouts, the reasons they drop out, and the factors most strongly associated with this phenomenon. Data were collected through interviews with married women of reproductive age who had been recorded as being a FP acceptor during 1992. The sample size was set at 400 using a probability-proportionate-to-size sampling technique. In examining the extent of the drop-out problem, it was found that the actual FP status of each respondent agreed with the clinic records in 73.4% of cases and that 22% of those thought to be dropouts had actually switched methods. Most of the women who stopped using oral contraceptives said they did so because of side effects. The drop-out problem was most acute among women who were poorer, less educated, and of higher parity. The attitude of a husband towards use of a method was a better predictor of continuation than the wife's attitude. Clients who felt their provider was approachable and friendly were significantly less likely to drop out. Despite the fact that the FP program is modeled on a "cafeteria" approach which provides choices to acceptors, 9.5% of acceptors in this survey claimed they were not offered a choice. Women who received limited information were more likely to become drop-outs. Clients who had to return to clinics frequently for resupply of OCs or condoms were most likely to become drop-outs. While the number of dropouts identified in this study was only half the official estimate for the province, the short time between FP acceptance and the survey may have reduced the number of dropouts. The program implications of these findings are that 1) the occurrence of side effects needs study, 2) groups characterized by high drop-out rates should receive immediate attention, 3) favorable attitudes should be fostered in husbands, 4) women must receive more information on their options, 5) quality of care must be improved, 6) the use of the IUD should be promoted, and 7) resupply procedures should be revised to reduce trips to the clinic.     

Redefining family planning programs

The Population Council's issue paper entitled Reconsidering the Rationale, Scope, and Quality of Family Planning Programs calls on family planning programs to focus only on reducing unwanted fertility by helping people meet their own reproductive goals safely and ethically. Many family planning programs have been wrongly handed the extra responsibility of reducing wanted fertility. They have therefore used inappropriate means (e.g., incentives, quotas, and coercion) to boost contraceptive prevalence. If programs do focus on reducing unwanted fertility, they will foster reductions in overall fertility and population growth as well as improvements in clients' health and well-being. A new framework has emerged from this shift in rationale. It sets the stage for expanding the scope, improving the quality, and assessing the impact of family planning programs in terms of client choice, health, and well-being. A program needs to determine the range and quality of family planning services it provides at the local level. Local program managers, policymakers, and consumer interest groups should establish minimum or achievable standards of service based on the local health care capacity. Program items that should be assessed include choice of methods, information for clients, technical competence, interpersonal relations, mechanisms to encourage continuity of care, and appropriate constellation of services. The Population Council has conducted rapid appraisals of the quality of care of family planning services to help local program managers to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their programs. The HARI (Helping Individuals Achieve their Reproductive Intentions) Index measures a program's success in helping clients safely prevent unwanted or unplanned pregnancy. Program managers can conduct a self-assessment that revolves around answering four questions. Family planning services are an important social investment and are essential to development.     

Priority research projects on family planning technique during the "Seventh Five-Year Plan" period

Research activities focused on family planning techniques and perinatal care will be given priority during China's 7th 5-Year Plan period. In terms of birth control technology, an emphasis will be placed on improving the reversibility of tubal sterilization and vasectomy, reducing complications (e.g., expulsion) associated with IUD use, refining methods of early pregnancy termination, and development of more long-acting contraceptive methods. Also explored will be the safety and effectiveness of herbs traditionally used for fertility control in China. To facilitate the development of more perfect types of contraceptives, basic research on spermatogenesis, sperm transportation, and fertilization will be conducted continuously. Studies on quality control indicators, pharmacodynamic indicators, and toxicological markers will be emphasized. In the area of eugenics, an emphasis will be placed on the prevention of congenital abnormalities and the monitoring of birth defects. Screening methods for the early diagnosis of genetic diseases will also be explored. Finally, attention will be given to the detection of teratogenic factors in the environment and other preventive measures.     

颁布、施行人口与计划生育法对人口与计划生育工作的挑战

颁布、施行人口与计生法为加强人口与计生工作提供了法律保障 ,无疑是一件大好事。但是 ,特殊的国情决定了实施人口与计生法会遇到许多困难和问题 ,对人口与计生工作的思路、方法 ,对人口与计生工作的任务、要求 ,对人口与计生工作的作风、工作效率 ,等等 ,都是一种挑战。因此 ,我们必须采取有力措施 ,积极应对这种挑战 ,切实搞好依法管理 ,依法实行计划生育     

Strengthening family planning management]

Prior to 1984, enforcement of family planning policies in an undisclosed PLA military settlement in China's Jinan Military Region was totally inadequate. After notification from the central government, this military settlement immediately began enforcing family planning policies, resulting in sudden and full compliance with the central government's family planning policies. The system of scientific management of promoting and enforcing family planning, established by local administrators, is described. Management by objectives, clearly defined individual tasks and responsibilities, an full cooperation and support on the part of the authorities are some of the factors responsible for the effectiveness and success of the family planning efforts in this military settlement. A number of potential problem areas are identified scientific management techniques in dealing with uncooperative parties are emphasized.     

On China's family planning policy

The birthrate in China in 1985, according to Li Honggui, Deputy Director of the General Office, the State Family Planning Commission, was 17.8/1000 with a death rate of 6.57/1000 and a natural growth rate of 11.23/1000. The number of births in 1985 was 18,520,000; 59.1% of these births were 1st births, 24% 2nd births, and 16.9% 3rd or more births. Women of childbearing age who pledged to have only 1 child accounted for 15.6% but only for 10% in rural areas. The peak fertility age of Chinese women was 24. Due to the age structure, a birth boom will begin in 1986 and will last for a decade. It is projected that the natural population growth rate will rise to 12.4/1000 in the 1986-96 period. The Chinese government has advocated a "1 child for 1 couple" policy since 1979. Couples who have difficulties can have a 2nd child with approval. Minority nationalities are permitted to have 3 children. The strategy of China's family planning program is to combine the guidance of the government with the motivation of the population. Consequently, communication and education have been emphasized. The situation is reported to be improving. At this time, women are advised to terminate unplanned pregnancies as early as possible. Individuals who refuse to consider the advice will be taxed.     

关于长春市绿园区流动人口计划生育情况的调查报告

流动人口计划生育要管理与服务相结合 ,建立和完善管理与服务机制和体系。长春市绿园区针对流动人口管理“十佳” ,采取了分类管理、缺席管理、综合治理、社会化管理等四项措施。     

Focus on family planning measures

A blueprint for responsible parenthood titled "The Tokyo Initiative" was drawn up at a conference sponsored jointly by the Japan Science Society and the Population Crisis Committee in April 1977. Representatives of several U.N. agencies and nongovernmental organizations participated. The blueprint urges additional resources to make family planning services available in rural areas and unserved areas of cities. Expanded social and economic roles for women were also recommended since it was felt that unless women were allowed to participate in family and community decision-making, "programs for responsible parenthood will be doomed to failure." Adolescents should be educated about reproductive behavior, stressing the adverse effects of early pregnancy. Integrated family planning services which serve the cause of infant and child health and total responsibility for program design be placed as close as possible to people affected. The conference then issued a call for action to implement these family planning objectives.     

The need for family planning

The purpose of this paper is to examine the evidence on the need for family planning. The available evidence on current levels of unmet need for contraceptives, fertility preferences, and the non-contraceptive benefits of family planning is reviewed. I argue that expansion of family planning programs is still needed. These programs provide couples with tools to reach their desired family size; can significantly impact maternal and child mortality by decreasing fertility and optimizing child spacing; and by decreasing fertility, slow population growth. It is therefore imperative to continue to expand the provision of family planning services.