The Alameda County Health Department family planning program.

Evaluation and Recordkeeping for U.S. Family Planning Services

“…Another approach for contacting patients is for field staff to hand out free nonprescription contraceptive supplies, while simultaneously urging the recipient to make an appointment with the clinic or a private physician. This approach has been evaluated in Alameda County, Calif., through a survey of changes in knowledge, use of birth control, and clinic attendance among women visited by public health nurses working in the field (23). The numerous other patterns of using personal intermediaries-whether professionals, volunteers, or neighborhood workers-are most conveniently evaluated by identifying the intermediary as the referral agent on the patient's admission record and comparing the impact of these intermediaries with other mearns of influencing enrollment.…”

F. Studies Related to Family Planning

“…Another evaluative study was carried out by the Alameda County (California) Health DepartmenL (52) This was a four-stage program focusing on educational methods. Results showed that although the educational approach used was well received by most of the clients it did not increase the client's knowledge of where to get family planning supplies, where to go for family planning information, or what devices require a prescription to be purchased.…”