Preliminary findings from the Bolivia Reproductive Health Pre-Campaign Survey Spring 1994.

A baseline survey was conducted among 2281 urban men and women in Bolivia in 1994 to determine preintervention knowledge of attitudes towards and use of contraception as well as the level of knowledge about reproductive health. Major findings of the survey were as follows: 1) awareness of modern methods 75% is high but should be increased; 2) 30.3% were currently using a modern method and 20.1% have sought family planning (FP) services in the past 6 months; 3) the calendar method is the most frequently used so the campaign should focus on increasing appreciation for the effectiveness of modern methods; 4) the level of awareness of the variety of methods available is low; 5) the 52% who have experienced contraceptive use can be important disseminators of FP information; 6) the level of correct information about modern methods is low and the campaigns objective of encouraging women to seek accurate information should be emphasized; 7) individuals with more education are more positive about contraception so the campaign should attempt to improve attitudes in individuals with little or no formal education; and 8) the concept of reproductive health is not well known or clearly articulated and the campaign should generate more interpersonal communication about reproductive health and promote specific service delivery sites. Comparison of these preliminary results with the 1989 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) indicates that the present sample has attained a higher level of education and that an increase in FP use and awareness has occurred in the 5 years between the surveys.