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Greetings and apologies for any cross-postings! Family Health International's (FHI) latest issue of Network, its quarterly health bulletin, is now online. Here is a brief summary of the articles it contains, followed by links to the issue on the Web: Network: Community-based Distribution Vol. 19, No. 3, Spring 1999 Community-based distribution programs take contraceptive methods to people where they live, rather than requiring people to visit clinics or other locations for services. Articles examine recent research involving programmatic issues and profile services, highlighting Peru, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. Community-based Distribution Serves Unmet Needs By reaching into rural communities and isolated neighborhoods, community-based distribution programs can serve unmet needs for contraception. In general, these programs take contraceptive methods to people where they live, rather than requiring people to visit clinics or other locations for services. Ways to Expand Contraceptive Choices Barrier methods and oral contraceptives are available through many programs offering community-based family planning. With proper training, community workers can give injectable contraceptives. Mobile teams of medical professionals can provide other methods, such as sterilization or intrauterine devices. Motivating Community-based Workers In some programs offering community-based family planning, workers are paid; in others, they are volunteers. Some workers live in the village they serve, others do not. Recent research examines how these and other factors influence job performance. Comparing CBD Program Costs While community-based distribution of family planning services can be cost-effective, some studies have found other delivery approaches are less expensive. Offering CBD and Other Services Community-based family planning services can be combined with other health services, including disease prevention, prenatal and antenatal care and oral rehydration therapy. Four CBD Programs "CARE Project Enlists Community Support" describes a rural community-based distribution effort in Peru, while a project serving urban clients in Peru is profiled in "City Life Isolates Many Clients." One of the world's oldest and largest programs considers a new strategy in "Bangladesh Refines a Successful Program." In "Zimbabwe's 'Clinics under Trees' Increase Access," one of Africa's most successful community-based programs is featured. Gender Norms Affect Community Distribution Community-based services that bring contraceptive services into homes can help women obtain control over their fertility and thereby enhance their autonomy and self-esteem. However, programs that exclude men can perpetuate the notion that family planning is solely a woman's responsibility. These and other gender issues involving community-based distribution are examined. Read the full text of Network 19-3 on FHI's Web site at: English: http://www.fhi.org/en/fp/fppubs/network/v19-3/index.html <http://www.fhi.org/en/fp/fppubs/network/v19-3/index.html> French: http://www.fhi.org/fr/networkf/fv19-3/index.html <http://www.fhi.org/fr/networkf/fv19-3/index.html> Spanish: http://www.fhi.org/sp/networks/sv19-3/index.html <http://www.fhi.org/sp/networks/sv19-3/index.html> Many other FHI publications are also available in full-text versions in English, Spanish and French on our Web site: http://www.fhi.org. <http://www.fhi.org/> FHI is committed to helping women and men have access to safe, effective, acceptable and affordable family planning methods to ensure that they achieve their desired number and spacing of children; preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); and improving the health of women and children. David Hock Senior Information Projects Coordinator Family Health International e-mail: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>