Show, no show and sterilization

The study investigates the factors involved in the decision of a sample of women to break appointments for sterilizations at the Fertility Management Unit of the University of the West Indies. A case control study involved 50 women who did not show up (no-shows) and an equal number who did show up (shows) over the same period. The no-shows had spent a shorter time in their current union than the shows, and some had no children for their partners at the time the appointments were made. Marriage was the single most important event that would encourage the no-shows to consider sterilization in the future. As long as poor women see child bearing as a precondition for financial assistance from spouses, they will hesitate to give up this capability (AU)

The effect of user fees on the utilization of family planning services: a clinical study

A new fee structure was introduced to the Advanced Training and Research in Fertility Management Unit in 1992. The study looked at the effect of the new fees on attendance and the choice of contraceptive methods through an examination of clinic records and a questionnaire survey. There was a decline in attendance of roughly 28 per cent between 1992 and 1993. The decline affected mainly new clients and those who accepted injectables. A reduction in the price of injectables is suggested since the fee for this short-term method is more in line with those charged for long-term and permanent methods. (AU)

An overview of the Public Health Inspectorate in the parish of St. Elizabeth

The Public Health Inspectorate was examined and recommendations made as to possible improvements (AU)