The agricultural approach to rural family planning in the Philippines.

PIP: Overly technical terminology and excessive use of lectures impede effective communication and teaching of family planning in the philippines. To achieve better results in information dissemination, especially in rural areas, the author provides a simple, effective, and interactive approach. The clearly-defined objective of identifying what family planning is and how it works is achieved through the use of analogies between farming and human sexual development. These analogies are jointly-developed in the field by groups of family planning workers and 8-10 men and women from the community. The farmers begin the group process by educating the family planning workers about their local farming practices. The workers then develop parallels between farming and the desired family planning messages. Once initiated, farmers are encouraged to develop and share their own parallels, by they with plants, farm animals, beliefs, or household articles. Better understanding, acceptance, and continuation rates will result from this voluntary, interactive approach.^ieng

The lessons of laughter.

PIP: In this article, the author explains that the use of humor and analogies can be instrumental in teaching about health at the grassroots level. When the author, who is president of the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR), began trying to educate rural communities in the Philippines, he found that a format relying on lectures and technical information often proved ineffective. So to make it easier to transmit the information, he began using analogies between health processes and the villagers' everyday experiences. For example, the author used a string bean to illustrate the ovulation process, and explained the idea of immunization by comparing it to a preliminary skirmish that alerts an army to the coming of an invasion. These teaching methods proved highly effective and amusing. They even got the villagers involved in the teaching process, as they started coming up with their own comparisons or tried to improve previous ones. Encouraged by the results, IIRR developed more than 600 analogies to illustrate family planning and health concepts throughout the 3rd World. Most of the analogies involve agricultural comparisons. In Thailand, for example, farmers are taught about the importance of birth spacing by alluding to the fact that when papaya trees are planted too closely, the quality of the fruit is poor. And in Bangladesh, people are told that the children of couples who marry too young are like the fruit of immature coconut trees. IIRR has also used humorous anecdotes and parables as educational devices. And the information and skills gained from these methods will help 3rd World villagers improve their condition.^ieng

Gaining intersectoral support: the case of the People's School.

PIP: The International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) has set up a People's School in 4 municipalities in Cavite Provice, the Philippines, to train community residents as diffusers of appropriate technology in rural reconstruction, health, family planning, nutrition and literacy. First, 40 upland and 18 lowland villages were involved in a baseline project for which a socio-economic survey was done. Conferences were held with village Captains in 58 villages concerning the feasibility of opening a Peoples School, literally, "School of the Children of Sweat." The villagers agreed to pay for transportation and food, while IIRR provided free tuition, training material and lodging. Village councils selected the trainees, chose courses to be taken, and raised funds. Trainees were selected based on literacy, residence and social qualifications. The objectives of the implementation phase were to determine how villages would benefit from the training, and to assist villages in establishing support institutions. The follow-up system involved continued education, support, supervision, motivation and evaluation. The 1st 25 courses covered agriculture, health, nutrition, family planning, sanitation, literacy, folk singing and self government. 21 trainees also set up community drug systems. Problems found usually involved poor selection of trainees or lack of funds. Some of the reasons for the success of the program were careful planning, involvement of local leaders, allowing villagers to choose courses, using an integrated approach, and emphasis on mutual self-help.^ieng

Induced abortion in rural villages of Cavite, the Philippines: knowledge, attitudes, and practice.

A survey of all married women aged 15-49 was conducted in 1976 in five rural villages in the predominantly Roman Catholic Philippines. Of 676 respondents, 17 percent admitted that they had had at least one induced abortion. Hilots, physicians, and drugstores were the major providers of abortion, and the methods used ranged from oral tablet to herb, injection, D&C, and massage. About 12 percent of respondents were hospitalized with complications from abortion, signifying a serious public health problem. An upward trend of abortion over time was speculated. There was an age differential in reported abortion experience. A large minority was aware of how an abortion could be performed and believed that abortions were easily obtained in their communities. Half the respondents approved of abortion, and 57 percent stated incorrectly that abortion is legal.

PIP: A survey of all married women aged 15-49 was conducted in 1976 in 5 rural villages in predominantly Roman Catholic Philippines. Of 676 respondents, 17% admitted that they had had at least 1 induced abortion. Hilots, physicians, and drugstores were the major providers of abortion, and the methods used ranged from oral tablets to herbs, injection, D and C, and massage. About 12% of respondants were hospitalized with complications from abortion, signifying a serious public health problem. An upward trend of abortion over time was speculated. There was an age differential in reported abortion experience. A large minority was aware of how an abortion could be performed and believed that abortions were easily obtained in their communities. Half the respondents approved of abortion, and 57% stated incorrectly that abortion is legal.

Population planning policy in the Philippines.

PIP: Population policy of the Philippine government is discussed in its evolution, current status under the 1973 constitution, and future development. Despite the low income, strong family ties, 7000 islands, 87 languages and 82% Catholic population, the Philippines has an official population policy which evolved into the Population Commission in 1969. The commission recommended setting goals, furthering education, removing legal drawbacks, reducing mortality, regulating internal migration and coordinating public and private international funding organizations. The private organizations, international funding,mass media, academic influence, and possibly the Catholic hierarchy influenced events positively. During martial law (September 1972 to January 1973) the government took on responsibility to require licensed professionals to learn family planning, and to change tax exemptions. The constitution now states that the State must achieve a population level conducive to national welfare. The present policy considers population planning an economic priority, has placed 5 cabinet members on the board of the Population Commission (no representatives from private organizations, which recruit 70% of acceptors), and has an extremely optimistic 5 year plan. No public protest had emerged, and because rhythm is included, it is hoped that rhythm users well eventually change to effective methods. Foreign assistance will be needed, and is channeled through the National Economic and Development Authority. Future needs include paramidics, nonclinical methods, rural access, incentives for program workers, and more effective propaganda.^ieng