Implications for evaluating the impact of family planning programs with a reproductive health orientation

In 1994, Jain and Bruce proposed an index--HARI, an acronym for Helping Individuals Achieve their Reproductive Intentions--to measure success or failure of family planning programs with a reproductive health orientation. HARI applies the principle of individual rights and well-being to the assessment of these programs. The index measures two components: the achievement of an individual's reproductive intentions and the avoidance of severe reproductive health problems associated with an individual's efforts to achieve her stated reproductive intentions. A family planning program can be deemed successful if an individual is able to avoid having an unintended pregnancy (or is able to have a wanted child) within the stipulated period and if she experiences no severe reproductive health problems in the process. If these conditions are not met, the program could be deemed a failure. The HARI index has not yet been applied in field conditions. This report illustrates the procedure for estimating HARI by using data from a panel survey conducted in Peru. It discusses the usefulness and limitations of the index in assessing the success or failure of a family planning program with a reproductive health orientation.