Communicating through satisfied adopters of female sterilization

Communication patterns between 127 satisfied adopters of female sterilization (agents) and 257 potential adopters of family planning (recipients) were examined in this study conducted in a rural community in southern India. The influence of satisfied adopters relative to other family planning communication agents was evaluated. Satisfied adopters were identified as the most important source of family planning information by 55 percent of agents and 74 percent of recipients. Communication usually occurred between persons of similar caste, occupation, education, and income.