The need for research in family planning.

Abstract

PIP:

2 areas in family planning that need research, i.e., the systematic gathering and interpretation of data about a given subject, are outlined. In addition, for each area, the type of research needed is indicated. The 2 areas in need of data in Africa are community-based distribution systems (since the vast majority of family planning distribution and education needs to be done in rural areas) and research in factors related to family planning acceptance. The questions which need answers to research community-based distribution system viability are: 1) attitudes toward family planning; 2) availability of service; 3) need for service; 4) demand for service; 5) acceptability of services by various groups; 6) perceived effectiveness of desired methods; and 7) attitude toward the method of distribution (i.e., how should the system be run). Community involvement in this research is essential, and the more localized the survey, the more relevant the data. The family planning acceptance research should focus on the lack of children, i.e., whether there is sterility, infant mortality, or other causes of child loss. Therefore, the first determination should be whether a particular community has need for fertility control information and agents or for control of infertility. Research on infertility can be accomplished by 2 primary methods, epidemiological or clinical; the latter requires clinic set-up, which is described.