FRONTIERS Projects | Increasing Community Involvement in Planning and Monitoring of Reproductive and Child Health Services: Operations Research (OR) in Family Planning and Reproductive Health

FRONTIERS PROJECT
Increasing Community Involvement in Planning and Monitoring of Reproductive and Child Health Services: Operations Research (OR) in Family Planning and Reproductive Health

The Foundation for Research in Health Systems (FRHS) tested an intervention to foster collaboration between community members and health professionals on a broad array of reproductive health and general issues. Coordinators formed 64 committees involving health staff and communities. Health workers and village leaders were more efficient at forming committees, but those formed through village meetings were most active, had the highest representation of women and other vulnerable groups, and were able to leverage community funds. A monthly newsletter recognized achievements and inspired committees to take on new projects.

Location

Karnataka, India

Duration

July 2000–August 2002

Population Council researchers

Nirmala Murthy, Joanne Gleason, Celeste Marin

Non-Council collaborators

Foundation for Research in Health Systems (FRHS)

Donor

US Agency for International Development

Publications/Resources
Council researchers' names appear in boldface type.

2005
"India: Broad representation supports credibility of village committees," FRONTIERS OR Summary no. 52. Washington, DC: Population Council. (full text)

2004
Foundation for Research in Health Systems (FRHS). "Community involvement in reproductive health: Findings from research in Karnataka, India," FRONTIERS Final Report. Washington, DC: Population Council.
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