A diagnostic study to decrease the number of drop-outs among MWRAs who are practicing family planning in the province of Tarlac.

Data from Tarlac provinces 18 municipalities indicate that the proportion of dropouts among married women of reproductive age (MWRA) who are practicing family planning increased from 9% in 1994 to 15% in 1995. The increased number of dropouts may be due to the poor ability of BHWs to counteract rumors and misconceptions overburdened health workers and/or poor management by health workers of side effects and complications. This increase in the proportion of dropouts among MWRA has occurred despite the available resources facilities supplies and manpower in the area. A cluster survey will be conducted among MWRA to determine which factors contribute to the increasing proportion of dropouts. Health personnel and BHWs will then be trained to work against the problem. Topics to be emphasized during the training will relate to the issues elicited during the survey. The project will be completed by the third quarter of 1997 at a budget of P200000 to be sourced from Local Performance Program (LPP) funds. Survey results will be disseminated to local government units the IPHO/technical staff the regional health research team and the national research team through consultative meetings.