`Planning together" : a methodology to facilitate the development of strategies and actions to address priority maternal and neonatal health problems in rural Bolivian communities

The project was initiated to determine how a community-based project could improve maternal and neonatal health in a remote setting, where there is little access to formal health services. Results to date show that the project has significantly decreased perinatal and neonatal mortality from 75 of 639 births during 1988-1990, to 31 of 708 births during 1991-1993; spurred positive changes in health practices, including an increase in immediate breastfeeding, tetanus toxoid vaccination, hygienic birth, newborn care, and contraceptive use. This paper focuses on Save The Children/Bolivia"s experiences in participatory planning, or "Planning Together." Replicating the process will require some adaptation to suit the needs of each particular setting. (Author abstract)