Evaluation of the population and family welfare project of the Coptic Orthodox Church

The project is funded through a grant from Family Planning International Assistance. External evaluation covers the period 1986-3/89. The project is reaching Christian and Moslem populations who previously received limited social services, if any at all. Beneficiaries range from rural villagers, whose only health services are provided by the project mobile units, to garbage collectors in Cairo who receive a variety of social services including clinical and family planning services. However, while the provision of these services is impressive, the number of acceptors is less than could be achieved. As of 1/89, there were 29,549 actual acceptors, representing only about one-fourth of a target population of 112,000 to be served. While these low figures may be due to underreporting, there is a clear need to strengthen project management and service delivery. The most critical shortcomings in project management are the following: (1) lack of clear lines of authority and supervisory responsibilities, (2) exclusion of field-level personnel from project planning, (3) inexperience of senior staff, and (4) insufficient monitoring of income generation activities. Constraints to service delivery include: (1) inadequate equipment, supplies, testing, and recordkeeping at family health care centers; (2) insufficient number and training of staff members; and (3) inappropriate educational materials. (Author abstract, modified)