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]>