January 06, 2006 Reasons for FP Success In Malawi
 A while back you noted the successful programming in Malawi, where modern method contraceptive prevalence increased from 7.4% in 1992 to 26.1% in 2000, despite a predominantly rural population and desperately high poverty. Can you please provide some insights to explain this success?
 Yes. The “Repositioning Family Planning” initiative has conducted some intensive country “look back” analyses on selected programs in Africa. Here are the key factors for success that I see from the Malawi report:
1. State-of-the art service guidelines and clinical practices based on international consensus, to improve quality and decrease medical barriers to access.
2. A positive policy and leadership environment from the government.
3. A strong NGO presence that not only provided significant services, but technical leadership as well.
4. An active CBD program which provided services – and probably more importantly - helped legitimatize and broadly disseminate information on family planning.
5. A vigorous communication component that used multiple channels, with key messages developed in consultation with communities.
6. Delegation of service provision duties to a variety of properly-trained frontline service provider cadres.
7. An effective commodity logistics system including support for long term and permanent methods.
For more insights here is the URL:
http://www.acquireproject.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ACQUIRE/Malawi_case_study.pdf
Also there see the “Tech Brief” on the first 3 Repositioning Case Studies
References:
Solo J, Jacobstein R, Malema D. Repositioning family planning-Malawi case study: Choice, not chance. New York: The ACQUIRE Project/Engender Health.
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The "Pearls" offer answers to commonly asked questions about family planning. These "Pearls" are prepared by Dr. James D. Shelton, Senior Medical Scientist, Office of Population, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
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