Family planning programs: efforts and results 1972-94.

The varied strengths of key elements of selected national family planning programs were assessed. 93 developing countries were rated according to the strength of their family planning efforts in 1972 97 in 1982 98 in 1989 and 94 in 1994. 77 countries were rated for all four dates. 30 program elements were scored grouped into the following categories: policies and stage-setting activities service and service-related activities record-keeping and evaluation and the availability of contraceptive methods. Time trends and program efforts are presented for those countries. Overall program effort for the developing world increased sharply from 1972 to 1982 and again from 1982 to 1989 but only modestly thereafter. Some country programs were already nearing their ceiling levels a few with very low fertility rates deliberately weakened their programs and other programs deteriorated for undetermined reasons. After 1989 the lowest rated regions improved the most mainly with regard to their policies and improved least with regard to the availability of contraceptive methods. The relationship of program strength to socioeconomic setting has steadily weakened over the 22-year period.