EVALUATION OF RAPID FEEDBACK FOR FAMILY PLANNING IMPROVEMENT (RFFPI)

The project consists of a contract with the Community and Family Study Center (CFSC) at the University of Chicago. The purpose is to improve the evaluation of family planning programs in LDC"s. Evaluation is based on meetings with CFSC personnel at the University of Chicago and a review of project documentation. CFSC helped create an awareness of the field of family planning evaluation in LDC"s. 7,000 copies of RFFPI manual #1 have been distributed which define the field of family planning evaluation. CFSC also developed a series of 12 manuals which include "cookbook" instructions on various evaluation methodologies. CFSC developed a series of computer programs for these methodologies and distributed them to LDC"s free of charge. The MINI-TAB programs are written in Fortran for use on small computers (32K memory). They include pregnancy history analysis, cross-tabulations, client record tabulations, and multiple regression programs. CFSC helped install MINI-TAB programs in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Columbia, and other countries. Computer data processing is now readily available to any LDC on a cheap, easy, and efficient basis. To create indigenous capabilities in family planning evaluation, CFSC has conducted a 3-prong training program: short-term workshops in host countries, summer workshops at Chicago, and MA and PhD training at Chicago. All have been successful. Technical assistance provided by the CFSC has also had visible impact on several LDC"s. Report cites as an example, the model evaluation program established in Indonesia. Report recommends extending the project 3 more years. Future activities should emphasize the measurement of the demographic impact of AID-funded family planning programs.