Abstract
Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health. 2007; 39(4): 206–215.CONTEXT: FamilyplanningservicesarefrequentlyusedandimportantservicesforAmericanwomen,yetlittleisknown about their quality. Service quality has important implications for women’s reproductive health. If women do not receive adequate information and tools, and learn appropriate skills, from their providers, they may be hampered in their efforts to control their fertility.
METHODS: Avarietyofstrategies,includingdatabase,journalandInternetsearches,wereusedtoidentifypublished and unpublished U.S. studies on family planning service quality that came out between 1985 and 2005. Studies were categorized by their focus, and key points of their methodologies and findings were assessed.
RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies were identified, most of which were based on client surveys. Most conceptualized quality as a multidimensional construct, but a uniform definition of quality is lacking, and the domains studied have not been consistent. The available studies focus on four areas: assessments of quality, its correlates, its consequences for client behavior and attitudes, and clients’ values and preferences regarding services. Relations between clients and service facility staff have typically been rated favorably, but communication, patient-centeredness and efficiency have been rated more poorly. Service quality varies by characteristics of the facility, provider, client and visit. Research on the consequences of service quality for clients’ contraceptive behavior or risk of unintended pregnancy has been very limited and yielded mixed results.
CONCLUSIONS: Studiesthatassessservicequalityneedstrongerdesignsandgreaterconsistencyinmeasuresusedso that results are comparable.
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