Population Council Research that makes a difference

The goal of this project was to improve the quality and sustainability of MSI's family planning service delivery in Burkina Faso.

Data collected through interviews with clients at 45 different sites in eight different health districts were used to:

• determine the demographic and socioeconomic status of clients
• assess clients' satisfaction with various aspects of the services MSI offered, such as facility cleanliness, waiting times, and the quality and cost of services
  
  

In addition, researchers assessed the willingness of clients to pay a range of prices for three family planning methods (implants, female sterilization, and IUDs) and calculated demand and revenue curves so that new price recommendations could be made to MSI.

Results

• Clients satisfied. Respondents indicated that they used MSI's services for three main reasons: affordable cost, reputation, and proximity. Nearly all clients (90%) reported they were satisfied, or very satisfied, with their overall experience at the facilities, that they would return for services, and that they would recommend the centers to a friend. Virtually all respondents indicated that the existing prices of the products and services were affordable, and almost all reported paying the recommended amount for the specific product they received.
• Willing to pay more for methods. If the prices were increased, would respondents continue to utilize the services? By testing three price-increase increments (low, medium, and high increases from the existing price) researchers determined that, on the whole, clients were willing to pay more for services. Only 5% of clients were unwilling to accept any price increase, while 80% of clients were willing to pay the highest increment. Using these data, researchers were able to estimate and recommend new prices to maximize the revenue for each of the contraceptive methods while maintaining the satisfaction of clients.
  
  

Impact

The overwhelming support of women to accept price increases demonstrates that women consider these products and services worth their time and money to obtain and use, and that MSI could increase prices to improve sustainability with minimal risk of reducing access to its existing clients. By setting prices at the new recommended levels, it will be possible for MSI to ensure high-quality, sustainable care for years to come.