Effects of user fees on the utilization pattern of family planning services in primary care centers in St. Elizabeth

ABSTRACT

Effective family planning services are critical to reducing fertility levels and increasing life expectancy. With declining donor support and the inability of public health resources to provide for all, the introduction of user fees - a cost recovery alternative was adopted. The study was conducted on 250 women 15-39 years in St. Elizabeth. The results indicate that although 49 percent women discontinued the use of contraceptives after the introduction of user fees, a similar proportion accepted a contraceptive method. More women, however, chose low cost contraceptives. Women are willing to pay for contraceptives based on their economic status; but concern exists for the under privileged who are unable to pay for a service which is so vital to the entire population. The need exists for strategies to be employed in the assessment of women, so that the poor can access these services free of cost, and for improving cost effective use of resources. The study points to the need for structured, ongoing family planning educational programmes focused on individual needs of both sexes. Formal education and employment opportunities could also play a major role in accessing family planning services. The search for alternate methods of financing such as private sector/community involvement, to supplement user fees, may be seen as another option (AU)