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Elements of Family Planning Success
Family planning professionals worldwide have identified 10 elements necessary to the success of family planning programs. Some elements include: well trained staff, leadership, communication, supportive government policies, and services for the poor. Each of the 10 elements will be explored with fresh perspective offering new resources and a platform for knowledge-sharing.
A young girl in Zambia shares information with peers on sexual and reproductive health issues. (Photo: © 2005 Uttara Bharath Kumar, Courtesy of Photoshare) Communication for Better Health
Behavior change communication (BCC) programs in family planning, related reproductive health, HIV prevention, and other health and development areas have helped millions of people adopt healthier behavior. To meet their goals, family planning programs must build BCC into their overall strategies. Proven processes, models, and theories help program managers develop effective BCC programs.
As part of a training of trainers in Madagascar, providers prepare to insert Implanon into a woman's arm. Insertion requires attention to infection prevention procedures, sterile conditions, correct placement of implants, and care to minimize tissue damage. (© 2005 Dr. Philippe Faucher/Paris) Implants: The Next Generation
New contraceptive implants are becoming available to family planning programs around the world. By 2008 Norplant, the original six-capsule implant system will no longer be available. Like Norplant, the new implants are highly effective at preventing pregnancy, and, like Norplant, they alter women's bleeding patterns. Their most important advantage over Norplant is easier and quicker insertion and removal.
Anna, a young Rwandan with HIV, is an orphan who lost her mother to AIDS and her father in the genocide. In much of the world, new HIV infections are concentrated among young people. Giving young people with HIV information about reproductive health and family planning is important to ensuring their health and longevity. (Photo: © 2004 Eileen Dietrich, Courtesy of Photoshare) Family Planning Choices for Women With HIV
Women with HIV have much the same reasons to have children or to prevent pregnancy as everyone else, but they have important additional issues to consider. These women's health care providers have the responsibility to help them make well-informed and well-considered choices and carry out their decisions with the least risk.
A 14-year-old Afghan mother receives contraceptive pills and family planning education during a visit to her midwife. Midwives are vital to the health of mothers in Afghanistan as women are typically not allowed to visit male health care workers. This young mother believes her husband will be supportive of contraceptive pills once she has explained to him the benefits of family planning. (Photo: ©2005 Emily J. Phillips, Courtesy of Photoshare) Developing a Continuing-Client Strategy
As more people use family planning, continuing family planning clients outnumber new clients. Adopting a continuing-client strategy can help programs and providers focus on meeting clients' needs not only when they first choose family planning but also throughout their reproductive lives.
A provider gives a client an injection in Bangladesh, where use of injectables has doubled over the last decade. As more women choose injectable contraceptives, programs will need to offer more good-quality services. (Bangladesh/CCP) Expanding Services for Injectables
More than twice as many women are using injectable contraceptives today as a decade ago, and the numbers keep growing. Injectables appeal to the many women who seek a family planning method that is effective and long-acting and can be used privately.

Knowledge for Health Project, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Center for Communication Programs (CCP), Family Health International(FHI), Management Sciences for Health (MSH), With IT Support from Google.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this web site is not official U.S. Government information and does not represent the views or positions of the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Government or The Johns Hopkins University.