Experimentation in family planning delivery systems: an overview

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Family planning service delivery experiments are crucial for testing novel approaches on a small scale.
• Over two decades, numerous experiments have evaluated key service delivery aspects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the methodology and findings of family planning experiments.
• To identify successes, failures, and ongoing challenges in family planning service delivery.

Main Methods:

• Survey of 96 projects testing various family planning approaches.
• Analysis of experimental efforts in personnel, mass media, service integration, intensive efforts, incentives, and community-based distribution.

Main Results:

• Successful experimental approaches have been integrated into regular family planning programs.
• The study highlights both successful and unsuccessful strategies in family planning delivery.

Conclusions:

• Past family planning experiment experience provides valuable lessons.
• Criteria for formulating future experimental projects can be derived from this review.