Natural family planning program format effectiveness.

The symptothermal method and the ovulation method (OM) comprise the two major categories of natural family planning (NFP) in the US. Numerous variations however exist within both methods. Various teaching programs or formats have therefore been developed to convey the biological principles of these categories to the general public. The components of format are the method itself teaching materials educational process and NFP lifestyle support. For example the Creighton model employs an individual-based approach while the team teaching format uses a group-based approach with individual support for teaching the OM. Both formats use the same method except that the team teaching format uses word descriptions rather than the vaginal discharge recording system. The teaching materials educational process and NFP lifestyle support format components are completely different. This paper reports findings from a study comparing the cost efficiency and family planning outcomes of the Creighton model format and the team teaching format. Analysis with an experimental design found the team teaching format to be 36% more cost efficient than the Creighton model for instructing clients. Moreover the team teaching format better involved the male partner in using the method. For a broad array of other outcome measures however few significant differences were found. Where minor differences were observed prior to or early in instruction they generally disappeared later on providing further evidence of the general equivalence of the two formats regarding outcomes.