Population Council Research that makes a difference

American Public Health Association (APHA)
138th Annual Meeting and Exposition
6–10 November 2010

Abstract

"Involving community in improving reproductive health service delivery in Bangladesh"

Ubaidur Rob, Ismat Ara Hena, and Md. Noorunabi Talukder

Despite remarkable progress in several reproductive health indicators in Bangladesh, supply-driven reproductive health programs have fallen short in reaching underserved populations. An operations research project was conducted to create demand and increase utilization of services. The project adopted a multipronged approach. The key intervention was to select and train volunteers, termed "peer promoters," for reproductive health promotion in the community. The other major intervention was to involve local stakeholders in health service improvement by forming community support groups (CSGs). The primary responsibility of CSGs was monitoring local reproductive health services. In addition, they extended support to field workers and peer promoters in organizing awareness-raising activities. As a result of the interventions, people were more likely to understand the importance of reproductive health. Ninety percent of the respondents could recognize the government health centers in their localities. Interventions increased utilization of reproductive health services from local health facilities by males. Similarly, the number of women receiving maternal health services from facilities increased. Clients receiving antenatal care increased from 41% to 89% because of the interventions. The proportion of deliveries assisted by trained providers increased from 6% to 22%. Clients receiving postnatal care increased from 10% to 60%. Increase in the utilization of family planning services was also observed. Over the one-year intervention period, the use of modern contraceptive methods increased by 3.4 percentage points. If community volunteers participate in service delivery, and community leaders monitor services, there will be increased demand for services, resulting in higher utilization.

Learning areas

• Assess of individual and community needs for health education
• Plan health education strategies, interventions, and programs
• Program planning
• Public health or related research
  
  

Learning objectives

• Describe how community members can contribute in improving the availability, quality, and utilization of services.
  
  

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Offsite link: APHA 2010 Conference Web site

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