Subject(s)
Contraceptive Agents/supply & distribution , Contraceptive Devices/supply & distribution , Marketing of Health Services , Africa , Asia , Central America , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Costs and Cost Analysis , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Health Promotion/methods , Health Services Accessibility , Humans , Male , Marketing of Health Services/organization & administration , Mexico , Product Labeling , South America , Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies , West IndiesABSTRACT
PIP: The need for and methods of nonmedical family planning techniques are discussed in view of the continuing popularity of nonmedical channels of supply (5-7 million out of the 10-13 million who use contraception obtain supplies through nonmedical channels) and still unmet contraceptive needs in the United States. Lack of homogeneity in the population necessitates a choice of delivery mechanisms, and the passive system of medical service in family planning suggests the potential for the marketing approach to more effectively motivate potential family planning acceptors. Direct mail as contact and mail order as supply mechanisms are 2 especially promising aspects. Suggestions for research on how donor funds might be invested to explore the potential of these channels of information and delivery include market research on attitudes regarding contraceptive methods and delivery systems, experimentation with different delivery channels, ways of providing information at crucial points in the reproductive lives of individuals, and ways of preventing unwed teenage pregnancies.^ieng
