MIDDLE EAST
West Bank and Gaza

In the West Bank and Gaza, the Population Council's Frontiers in Reproductive Health Program piloted an innovative intervention for maternal and child health under difficult circumstances. Working with CARE International, the Palestinian Ministry of Health, and local nongovernmental organizations, the Council has successfully completed the first project phase. Findings include the following:

• There was a significant increase in postpartum care and family planning visits after the intervention. More women also reported seeking care for themselves and their babies rather than only for their infants.

• Although the proportion of women who reported receiving a home visit did not increase, the content of the visit improved substantially following the intervention.

• The number of women in the post-test survey using any family planning method or a modern method more than doubled.

The West Bank and Gaza is one of three Arab societies included in a major new study of changing family dynamics. This research is being conducted by the Arab Families Working Group, a multidisciplinary network of scholars, policy makers, and practitioners, coordinated by Council staff. The study will address legal, medical, and educational issues that concern families as well as the area of  mobility or displacement as it affects family welfare.

Projects

• FRONTIERS projects

  • Creation of a Unified Management Information System for Three Nongovernmental Organizations in the West Bank and Gaza

  • Improving Postpartum Care Among Low-parity Mothers in Palestine

  • Institutional Support for a Program of Activities with the West Bank/Gaza Pilot Health Project

  • Post-test Survey for the West Bank/Gaza Pilot Health Project

  • Special Studies Program for the West Bank/Gaza

  • Technical Assistance to the West Bank/Gaza Pilot Health Project

  • Training Program for the West Bank/Gaza Pilot Health Project

Publications/Resources on the West Bank and Gaza

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See Also

• Family Dynamics

• Frontiers in Reproductive Health

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This page updated 27 September 2007

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