The McCormick Family Planning Program in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Family Planning Programs
• International Health

Background:

• Established in 1963, the McCormick Family Planning Program serves rural Chiang Mai, Thailand.
• The program offers a range of contraceptive methods and sterilization services.
• It operates through fixed clinics and a mobile unit for wider reach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the success and replicability of the McCormick Family Planning Program.
• To highlight key program components, including service delivery models and contraceptive choices.
• To assess the program's financial sustainability and impact on rural women's access to care.

Main Methods:

• Programmatic data analysis from 1963 onwards.
• Observation of service delivery through fixed clinics and a mobile unit.
• Review of contraceptive acceptance trends, focusing on DMPA usage.

Main Results:

• The program has successfully provided contraceptive services to rural women for decades.
• DMPA (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate) is a popular choice, accepted by two-thirds of users since 1965.
• The program generates significant revenue, covering most operational costs through low service fees.

Conclusions:

• The McCormick Family Planning Program demonstrates a successful model for delivering reproductive health services in resource-limited settings.
• Key elements like the mobile service unit and the use of DMPA are considered highly replicable.
• The program's financial self-sufficiency contributes to its sustainability and potential for wider adoption.