USAID reproductive health baseline survey : a survey of projects and activities implemented and planned by USAID missions and cooperating agencies

This was a preliminary step in the process of developing a reproductive health strategy for USAID. The purpose of the survey was to provide a baseline overview of current reproductive health activities and elicit recommendations for next steps. Fifty missions and 39 CAs provided substantive responses. Together they described over 300 projects and activities considered to be within a reproductive health framework. The majority of these combine family planning, elements of maternal health and nutrition, and STD/HIV/AIDS preventive activities. Missions and CAs alike generally expressed strong interest in broadening current approaches to better integrate reproductive health activities, and asked USAID/Washington for guidance. They emphasized the need to stay focused on priority areas during the next 5 years, especially family planning and protection from STDs/HIV, and urged the development of strong initiatives involving adolescents, men, and abortion-related activities. (Author abstract)