Population Council Research that makes a difference

Overview

The Council began work in Sierra Leone in mid-2005.  Current and past Council programming in Sierra Leone focuses on delivery of family planning services.

Health officials from Sierra Leone have been applying the lessons learned from the Council’s well-regarded Community-based Health Planning and Services initiative, based in Ghana, to increase access to family planning services. Council staff also are working with the Ministry of Health to identify strategies for integrating condoms (both male and female) into the reproductive health and HIV and AIDS national program.

Highlights of past and present work

• Providing a framework for increased access to family planning services.
• Developing a national strategic plan and five-year strategic plans for male and female condoms.
• Identifying potential new condom distribution mechanisms, new actors (including NGOs, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, health providers, and private-sector outlets), and the skills and management needs of program managers.

Banner photo: © Manoocher Deghati/IRIN