Components of CBD programme management.

Community-based distribution (CBD) of family planning and health services can follow many different models. All CBD programs however require attention to a number of key management issues if they are to be implemented successfully. These issues are: 1) needs and resources analysis 2) goals and strategies 3) community participation 4) selection of personnel 5) training and retraining 6) supervision 7) motivation 8) logistics 9) information system 10) financing 11) collaboration with other programs and 12) monitoring evaluation improvement replication and continuation. The paper supplies a listing of these important components along with some examples of strategies which CBD programs have utilized to maximize the feasibility and effectiveness of the various program elements. The actual strategy chosen to implement any 1 of the components in a given program will depend on available resources feasibility and the cultural context in which the program operates. Ideally programs should have the opportunity to test a number of strategies for key components via pilot programs and operations research; such a testing of strategies will help determine the best fit between needs and resources and will suggest which model will have the greatest effectiness in a given context.