Population and Family Planning Project

closed

The Population and Family Planning Project for Malawi tests the feasibility of a comprehensive and district-wide Community-Based Distribution (CBO) approach by the government to population/family planning services provision in three pilot districts. There are four components. The first, community-based distribution, recruits community-based distribution agents (CBDAs) to distribute contraceptives; provides supervision by CBDA supervisors, health centers, family planning coordinators, and the district health management team (DHMT); funds an incentive package for the CBDAs, plus salaries, motorcycles, and motor vehicles; and finances a wide mix of contraceptive products. Component 2 supports the development, pre-testing, production, and dissemination of information, education, and communication materials (IEC); distributes materials in local languages on the advantages and safety of family planning (FP) and the dangers of STDs/AIDS; modifies attitudes towards youth reproductive needs; and provides training. Component 3 improves the capacity of health professionals to support FP services through clinical training; provides clinical supervision to CBDAs; supports the FP coordinator; and manages the contraceptive logistics system. Component 4 develops standard training protocols for service skills, counseling, supervision, and performance assessments for CBDAs and their supervisors; trains service providers and their supervisors; and disseminates educational messages.