Document Type
Report
Publication Date
2001
Abstract
Since its inception, the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council’s (ZNFPC) community-based distribution (CBD) program has made significant and well-documented contributions to the demand for and use of family planning in Zimbabwe. Data from several studies have shown, however, a steady decline in this contribution and that the CBD agents spend more time resupplying existing clients than recruiting new acceptors. Moreover, the CBD program urgently needs to be able to address the AIDS crisis in the country. ZNFPC has undertaken this review to guide it in making appropriate decisions about the future direction of the program, allowing CBDs to have a broader range of responsibilities and modifying the structure to become more efficient. Some activities felt to be acceptable and feasible include: providing more detailed information on STIs/HIV/AIDS; identifying and referring individuals with STI symptoms for diagnosis and treatment at clinics; providing supportive counseling to people living with HIV/AIDS; educating communities about HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services and motivating their use; providing ongoing supportive counseling after HIV VCT testing; assisting parents to better communicate with their children on sexual and reproductive health issues; and advising adolescents like surrogate aunts and uncles.
Recommended Citation
Maggwa, Baker Ndugga, Ian Askew, Caroline S. Marangwanda, Ronika Nyakauru, and Barbara Janowitz. 2001. "An assessment of the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council's community based distribution programme," FRONTIERS Final Report. Nairobi: Population Council.
DOI
10.31899/rh4.1225
Language
English
Project
Frontiers in Reproductive Health
Included in
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