Preparing for a needs assessment in the integrated rural health and population project

The assessment will provide the basis for detailed communications plans to be formulated by the 13 Districts and 5 States participating in the project. Specifically, this report reviews the responsibilities, training, and management of block-level health and family planning workers (dais, communty health volunteers, male and female health workers, and male and female health assistants); higlights issues and problems to be addressed by the assessment; outlines the need for small qualitative studies as part of the assessment; and suggests what kinds of expertise will be needed to carry out the assessment. The needs assessment should: focus on the block and district as the geographical framework for project implementation; determine the current adequacy of IEC support for fertility and mortality reduction; ascertain the optimal division of responsibility between the three groups of communications staff; review the management structure and financing of communications at the state level and below; and include small studies of village health knowledge, attitudes, and practices.