Assessing family planning service-delivery practices: the case of private physicians in Jamaica

This report presents a study of the family planning service-delivery practices of private physicians in Jamaica. All 367 private physicians in Jamaica who offer family planning services, counseling, or referral were included in the survey. The study revealed that a client seeking services might be given a method by one provider and not by another, and that the methods clients use are likely to be influenced by the providers' preferences. Private physicians in Jamaica are in need of access to current international guidance on contraceptive methods and service practices. (AU)

Quality of care among Jamaican private physicians offering family planning services

The National Family Planning Board is the agency of Government empowered to prepare, carry out and promote family planning programs in Jamaica. The Board has prioritized the expansion and sustainability of family planning services in large part through encouraging the participation of the private sector. To enhance the availability and effectiveness of private physician family planning services, information was collected on the service practices of 90 percent of physicians, through face to face interviews. Bruce's framework was used to evaluate the findings of the study. The study indicated that: (1) A wide variety of contraceptives are available. (2) Basic equipment and adequate supplies are in place for the provision of services. (3) Provider bias, inapproriate contraindicators and process and scheduling hurdles exist. The major recommendations relate to the: (1) Revision of norms and guidelines for all contraceptives. (2) Continuation of contraceptive technology updates for private physicians. (3) Revision of legal/regulatory barriers which restrict access to some contraceptives for certain target groups (AU)