Original Research
Community based distribution agents’ approach to provision of family planning information and services in five Nigerian States: A mirage or a reality?
Submitted: 20 September 2010 | Published: 17 November 2011
About the author(s)
Mojisola Fayemi, Association for Reproductive and Family Health, Ibadan, NigeriaGloria Momoh, Association for Reproductive and Family Health, Ibadan, Nigeria
Oluwafemi Oduola, Association for Reproductive and Family Health, Ibadan, Nigeria
Grace Delano, Association for Reproductive and Family Health, Ibadan, Nigeria
Oladapo Ladipo, Association for Reproductive and Family Health, Ibadan, Nigeria
Olayimika Adebola, Emma Skipper Foundation, Ogun State, Nigeria
Abstract
Objectives: This article highlights the outcome of an intervention which sought to address maternal mortality reduction through increasing contraceptive uptake in 10 rural local government areas (LGAs)in five Nigerian states.
Method: The community based distribution (CBD) approach was used in the implementation of a three year intervention that targeted 10 LGAs. Two hundred and fifty community members were trained as community based distribution agents (CBDA) to provide information on reproductive health, provide non-prescriptive family planning (FP) commodities, treat minor aliment and make referrals to primary health centres within the communities.
Results: Final evaluation revealed an increase in the proportion of community members who had utilised FP commodities at all, from 28% at baseline to 49%, and an increase in the proportion of current contraceptive users from 16% at baseline to 37%. An average of 50% increase in clientele patronage was also observed in the 10 LGAs’ primary health care centres. Most (96%) of the interviewed CBDA agents reported that a drug-revolving system was in place to ensure that drugs and commodities were available. On-the-spot assessment of the service forms revealed that 86% of them had their activities regularly recorded in their worksheets. Some of the challenges faced by CBDA were discrimination and misconception of community members about family planning (38%), inadequate financial support (14%),and transportation problems (8%).
Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that the CBD approach played a critical role in enhancing access to Reproductive Health and Family Planning information and services in the project communities.
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Crossref Citations
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Gates Open Research vol: 2 first page: 73 year: 2019
doi: 10.12688/gatesopenres.12890.2