FRONTIERS Projects | Assessing the Impact of a Community-based Intervention on Service Utilization in Family Planning and Reproductive Health in Bolivia

FRONTIERS PROJECT
Assessing the Impact of a Community-based Intervention on Service Utilization in Family Planning and Reproductive Health in Bolivia

Researchers from the Center for Information and Development of Women (CIDEM) in cooperation with the Bolivia Ministry of Health (MOH) introduced a community-based education and outreach intervention in reproductive health clinics in marginalized rural areas around La Paz. The goal of the project was to investigate the impact on service utilization (particularly by adolescents, men, and nonpregnant women) and community satisfaction. Health service providers received training in gender and diversity, sexual and reproductive rights, institutional management, and the new MOH monitoring system. Both the quality of care and data monitoring improved. Women, adolescents, and men learned about sexual and reproductive rights, family planning, domestic violence, and gender through behavior change and communication (BCC) materials and educational workshops organized with community groups. Access and utilization of clinic services increased among all groups. Clients expressed demand for continued improvement in treatment and confidentiality. The MOH is scaling up the intervention in clinics nationwide.

Location

La Paz, Bolivia

Duration

October 1999–May 2002

Population Council researchers

Joanne Gleason, Celeste Marin

Non-Council collaborators

Maria Dolores Castro (Center for Information and Development of Women)

Bolivia Ministry of Health

Donor

US Agency for International Development

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

2004
Mantilla, María Dolores Castro and Máriel Loayza Antezana. "Evaluation of community education interventions in sexual and reproductive health services in urban-marginal areas of La Paz, Bolivia," FRONTIERS Final Report. Washington, DC: Population Council. (PDF, 737 KB)