Family planning; postpartum approach.

PIP: In early 1966, the Population Council established the International Postpartum Family Planning Program which aimed to provide contraceptive information and supplies to urban, low-income women in public hospitals. 26 hospitals in 19 cities in 15 countries around the world were involved in the program. Each women delivering or aborting at these hospitals was given contraceptive information. Follow-up work was done with women who did not return for their postpartum examination. Supplies were provided free of charge. In the first 2 years of the prog ram, more than 236,000 women have accepted contraception, over 40% of total hospitalized cases. Word-of-mouth contacts have entered the program also. After 18 months, continuance was 82%. These acceptors were young, had few children, and were using contraception for spacing. This hospital approach is as cost efficient as other more general family planning programs. The program stimulated greater concern for maternal health too. The program will soon expand to 200 hospitals in 25 countries in the developing world. Later the program can be carried to rural areas through establishment of primary health centers and maternal/child health clinics.^ieng