[Utilization of KAP survey results in planning MCH/FP activities in Burkina Faso (abstract)]

Family planning was introduced the urban areas of Burkina Faso in 1985 with the objective of promoting the well-being of the family. The 1st operations research project was done in 1986 by Columbia Universitys Center for Population and Family Health in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Healths Division of Maternal Health. The 1st phase of the project a KAP study demonstrated that 81% of women and 64% of men wanted to use modern contraceptives while 44% of women wanted to postpone their next pregnancy. The main barriers to low utilization of contraceptives were the lack of IEC and poor access to services. The health centers for mothers and children (SMI) are responsible for providing family planning services but results showed that they were not providing contraceptives nor following-up on clients. The 2nd phase of the project implemented in Ougadougou set out to: 1) integrate family planning services in to the SMI centers; 2) introduce IEC into the maternities; 3) reinforce IEC at specific sites in Ouagadougou; and 4) follow-up on clients with community health workers and social workers. 2 strategies were instituted to integrate family planning into the SMI centers: 1) use specialized personnel in 3 SMI centers; 2) assign a multi-purpose team to 3 additional SMI centers. This phase began in January 1988 with a needs assessment of the SMI centers. 18 midwives were trained in IEC. The Ministry of Public Health provided equipment and materials for the SMI centers. The results of the KAP survey stimulated a demand for other such surveys by the health directors in other regions of the country. The results were also used by other family planning organizations. The Association Burkinabe pour le Bien Etre Familial (ABBEF) used the information to prepare its triannual plan (1989-1991) and to intensify family planning services in the health centers in the rural areas. The Association des Sages-Femmes Burkinabe reinforced their IEC programs in the 10 provinces where they work with the results of the survey. The KAP survey demonstrated that in Ouagadougou modern contraception is in high demand in the urban areas and that the project to integrate family planning in all SMI centers will improve the problems of access and the need for IEC in the program. The survey results were also responsible for extending family planning services in the rural areas.