Characteristics of successful distributors in the community-based distribution of contraceptives in Guatemala

A study conducted by the Asociación ProBienestar de la Familia (APROFAM) of Guatemala among 177 urban and 233 rural distributors in its CBD programs indicates a number of characteristics related to distributor success (measured by volume of contraceptives sold). Among urban distributors the most important factors were number of months the distributor had worked in the program, location of the CBD post, and the fact of promoting the service by displaying a poster and organizing community meetings about family planning. Among rural distributors, performance was highest among those who received assistance from their spouse, had local competition in the sale of contraceptives, promoted family planning by visiting their neighbors and organizing group meetings, had a higher level of education, and received frequent supervision. In general, factors involving program design and task performance were better predictors of distributor performance than the sociodemographic characteristics of the distributor.