Factors influencing the success of family planning services in El Menia and Assuit governorates Egypt

ABSTRACT

Family planning is an added value to the health and weli-being of women, children, families, and communities and a key component of reproductive health services. The objectives of this study are to identify the cultural, social and environmental determinants associated with under utility of family planning services and assess women satisfaction towards the quality of family planning services. The study was carried out in two governorates El Menia and Assuit, in each governorate 10 primary health care units were selected, live of them have already got the golden star in quality of family planning service recently. The study was conducted during the period January 2004 to May 2004. The subjects of this study included; 300 women who attended the family planning services during the study period, 20 physicians, 20 nurses and 20 social workers [Raedat], who are working in the selected 20 primary health care units. The result revealed that there were no significant differences between the two groups as regards duration of marriage and the number of living children. The rate of illiteracy was around 54% in both groups. Considering the educational status of the husbands there was a significant difference between the two groups. 64% of physicians in PHCs with golden star used explanatory tools during discussion with clients compared to 43.3% in the second group. This difference was statistically significant [p<0.01]. The results pointed out that physicians were the first contact as mentioned by 20.7% of women in the first group compared to 10% in the second group this difference was statistically significant [p<0.05]. General examination was performed in 91.3% for women in the first group compared to 73.3% for women in the second group this difference was statistically significant [p<0.01]. The overall patient satisfaction rate was the same in both groups [87.8% per patient in the first group and 87.3% in the second group]. The study concluded from the results of interview and focus group discussions that reasons for distinguishing PHCs with golden stars relatively to those without golden stars may be attributed to many factors including the lower illiteracy rate of the husbands, the relatively lack of desire of the women to have more children in the next two years, the near distance of the PHCs to the houses, seeing the physicians on the first contact to the PHCs and using tools for explaining the contraceptive methods: