Family planning and population development

The National Office of FP (ONFP) will implement the project. Technical and financial assistance will strengthen ONFP"s capacities to: (1) design material to improve targeted IEC activities; (2) design and implement a multimedia IEC program on contraceptives and available FP services; and (3) develop and distribute effective FP and contraceptive information. Emphasis will be placed on reaching specific audiences, involving health and educational institutions in the IEC effort, and promoting the use of pre- and post-natal counseling services. The project will: (1) provide TA and training to the research, communication, and management directors of ONFP"s contraceptive marketing unit; (2) reinforce private pharmacists" roles as FP providers by setting a price which provides them with an incentive to sell contraceptives, targeting promotional materials to pharmacists, and employing ONFP "medical detailers" to promote awareness and distribution of contraceptives by pharmacists and physicians; and (4) study ways to improve the contraceptive distribution and supply system. The project will help the ONFP: (1) institute/strengthen FP training programs in 3 medical schools, 12 public health schools, and 1 social work school; (2) reinforce practical in-service FP training programs for community-level health and social workers; (3) provide TA and training to administrators of ONFP"s training center; and (4) finance long- and short-term U.S. and third country-based training and attendance at international conferences for population specialists. All training efforts will aim to meet the delivery needs of specific groups, integrate FP into medical and other educational programs, increase participation in FP activities by field personnel from other institutions, shift basic FP training from ONFP to professional schools, or establish regular review of staff performance. Project research will focus on targeting FP resources, project evaluation, and providing modest support for natural FP. Amendment of 7/10/87 adds a subproject, to be implemented by Catholic Relief Services, to promote oral rehydration therapy, primarily through educational activities and health worker training. (PD-AAV-972) For a fuller description, see the abstract under 664033101.