Using Situation Analysis Data to Assess the Functioning of Family Planning Clinics in Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe

Abstract

Situation analyses conducted in Nigeria. Tanzania, and Zimbabwe have revealed problems in the functioning of many of the subsystems of family planning service delivery, namely in supplies of commodities; in facilities and equipment; in staffing and training; in information, education, and communication; and in record keeping. Although a clear pattern of clinic use exists, in that only a few service-delivery points provide contraceptive services to the majority of new family planning acceptors in the three countries, an attempt to explain how clinics with more clients differ from those that are visited less frequently revealed only a weak association between subsystem functioning and use.

Accuracy of Standard Measures of Family Planning Service Quality: Findings from the Simulated Client Method

“…For example, many rigorous investigations have found only a weak association between quality of care and family planning use (Mensch, Arends-Kuenning, and Jain 1996;Mensch et al 1997;Magnani et al 1999;Ali 2001;Khan 2001;Hong, Montana, and Mishra 2006;Gubhaju 2009;Barden-O'Fallon et al 2011). Whether these findings are a consequence of a tenuous relationship between family planning service quality and contraceptive use or of significant problems in quality measurement remains unknown (Mensch et al 1994).…”

“…For example, many of the methodologically rigorous investigations of the relationship between quality of care and family planning use have found only a weak association between quality and use (Ali, 2001, Barden-O’Fallon et al, 2011, Gubhaju, 2009, Hong et al, 2006, Khan, 2001, Magnani et al, 1999, Mensch et al, 1996, Mensch et al, 1997). Whether these findings are due to a meager relationship between family planning service quality and contraceptive use or due to significant problems in the way quality is measured remains unknown (Mensch et al, 1994). …”

Physical violence, obstacles to accessing healthcare, and insurance coverage of Egyptian currently-married women

“…[18] Previous studies identified interpersonal relations and provider-client relations as a key component of quality of care. [19][20][21] While certain supply aspects of quality of care, such as condition of infrastructure and equipment, presence of adequate supplies of drugs, and organizational aspects of work flow and human resource utilization, can be improved and evaluated in a fairly objective manner, those aspects of quality that touch upon the demand aspects of the client-provider relationship are much more difficult to address. [22] Pittman and Hartigan [23] grouped existing research on the link between gender and quality of care according to the following four aspects: (1) differences in providers' attitudes toward female and male patients;…”

Concepts and Methods for Assessing the Quality of Essential Obstetric Care

“…Another documented approach to quality assessment is the 'situation analysis' method, developed by the Population Council's Africa Operations Research and Technical Assistance Project (Mensch et al, 1994). Situation analysis studies are systematic examinations of the strengths and weaknesses of family planning programs focusing on all major subsystems and on the quality of care provided to clients.…”