SOCIAL RESEARCH PROPOSAL

FAMILY PLANNING ROLE IN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.

A CASE STUDY OF SOCIETY FOR FAMILY HEALTH - ZAMBIA

SUBMITTED BY: CHIPILU EUNICE LECTURER: MR. KABASO SYDNEY M.

2011

ABSTRACT Family planning saves lives and has long been considered a key aspect to socioeconomic development. Although this is widely acknowledged and well documented, in recent years the attention and resources directed toward improving family planning programs in developing countries have been decreasing, even though the need remains high. By one estimate, satisfying the unmet need for contraceptive services in developing countries would avert 52 million unintended pregnancies a year, thereby saving 1.5 million lives and preventing 505,000 children from losing their mothers (Singh et al., 2003). The region selected is Kabwe Zambia for analysis, all of which have shown considerable growth in contraceptive prevalence and significant fertility decline, despite a challenging environment and limited resources. Their success can provide guidance for other Sub-Saharan African countries. The research report will be used by society For Family Health Zambia to guide strategy development for Repositioning Family Planning and to inform efforts to identify key investments for the region. In addition, a synthesis paper will pull out key lessons from the practicum experiences. To address this need, the Society for Family Health has identified Repositioning Family Planning as a priority for its work in Africa. In the face of scarce resources, weak infrastructure, and a growing focus on HIV/AIDS, it is extremely difficult for African country programs to make significant gains in strengthening their family planning programs and thereby raising contraceptive prevalence. USAID has committed itself to providing incremental assistance to a selected number of focus countries at the very early stages of program development. To help guide these

investments, lessons learned by countries in the region that have made significant progress will be very useful.

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Introduction

This section discusses the significance of Family Planning in relation to poverty reduction. It also looks at the impact of lack of family planning on the society. Family Planning in the context of Zambian population The population of Zambia increased rapidly over the last 30 years. The population increased from 3.5 million in 1963 to 4 million in 1969, and from 5.7 million in 1980 to 7.3 million in 1990.In 2000, the population increased from 7.3 to 10 million (CSO,2009).It is estimated that the population of Zambia stands at 12 million (Kabsy Consultancy Services,2011). The Zambia Demographic and Health Survey reported that current family planning use 15 percent in 1992.Some 9% percent of married women were using modern methods, while 6 percent used traditional methods. Approximately 90 percent of sexually active women reported being aware of at least one modern family planning methods. Most women were aware of the pill (85%), condoms (73%), and female sterilization (71%).Many women were also aware of traditional methods such as withdrawal and periodic abstinence (40%).33% have an unmet need for family planning services, 21% of spacing reasons and 12% of limiting births. If this figure is added to the 15% of married women currently using family planning method, them almost half (48% of married women can be characterized as having demand for family planning. Despite increased knowledge about family planning, contraceptive use rates are very low and have remained fairly static over time. The
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reasons for this are many but include inadequate supplies, restricted method mix, poor logistics and information systems and inadequate technical capacity on the part of the providers. For example, more than 50 of 75 service providers at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka revealed that they did not feel confident about counselling women on contraception- this was worse in rural areas (John Hopkins University, 1996). At the same time, sexual activity and child bearing in Zambia begins at an early age. By the age of 17, nearly one third of all women have either been pregnant or have already had a first child, by the age of 19, the proportion of child bearing jump to two thirds (WHO,1996).The health consequences of such early pregnancy are many and include clandestine and unsafe abortion. To meet all these needs and close the existing gaps in services there is a need to re examine the strategies that have been utilized in the past and adjust where necessary in order to ensure that family planning will be expanded over the next few years in order to meet the millennium development goals. Importance of Family Planning in poverty reduction in Zambia Family planning services is a key to poverty reduction in Zambia as well as in other countries. It saves the lives of women and children and improves the quality of life for all. The use of family planning saves women lives and improves their health by allowing them to avoid unwanted and poorly timed pregnancies and also saves childrens lives by allowing parents to delay and adequately plan for their births. When births come to early or less than two years apart, the health of infants and their siblings is endangered. Use of family planning helps to empower women by allowing them to decide the number and of spacing of their children, which in turn, provides them with increased opportunities for participation in educational, economic and social activities. At the same time, measures to improve womens status,
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coupled with access to family planning and other key reproductive health services, are likely to result in the most rapid improvements in health and well being. In addition to saving lives, family planning reduces fertility and can help to relieve the pressures that rapidly growing populations place on economic, social and natural resources. Rapid population growth impedes economic growth and makes it more difficult to achieve improvements in education, health, and environmental quality. Family planning saves lives and has long been considered a key aspect to socioeconomic development. Although this is widely acknowledged and well documented, in recent years the attention and resources directed toward improving family planning programs in developing countries have been decreasing, even though the need remains high. By one estimate, satisfying the unmet need for contraceptive services in developing countries would avert 52 million unintended pregnancies a year, thereby saving 1.5 million lives and preventing 505,000 children from losing their mothers (Singh et al., 2003). 1.2 Location of the research area Kabwe is the capital of the Zambian Central Province with a population estimated at 210,000 (CSO, 2010:8). Formerly named Broken Hill, it was founded when the Broken Hill lead and zinc deposits were discovered in 1902. Kabwe has the largest shanty compound in Zambia. It is located in the city of Kabwe, a town that once thrived. That was before the mining industry dried up, leaving Kabwe to look more like a ghost town. Now the main economic activities include trade and seasonal fishing. Residents of Kabwe struggle to survive amidst poverty levels that are alarmingly high, and HIV/AIDS rates that are among the highest in the country. 2.0 Statement of the Problem Family planning saves lives and has long been considered a key aspect to socioeconomic development. Although this is widely acknowledged and
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well documented, in recent years the attention and resources directed toward improving family planning programs in developing countries have been decreasing, even though the need remains high. By one estimate, satisfying the unmet need for contraceptive services in developing countries would avert 52 million unintended pregnancies a year, thereby saving 1.5 million lives and preventing 505,000 children from losing their mothers (Singh et al., 2003). In Zambia and other African countries, one major factor contributing to the challenge is the continued rapid growth of the population. The number of people in need of health, education, economic, and other services is large and increasing, which, in turn, means that the amount of resources, personnel, and infrastructure required to meet the MDGs is also increasing. In light of this fact, development efforts in support of the MDGs should not overlook the importance and benefits of slowing population growth. Therefore the research will examine the role of family planning in social development. 3.0 Aim The main aim of the research is to examine the role of family planning in economic development 4.0 Objectives of the study 1. To examine the role of family planning methods in social and economic development. 2. To identify family planning methods being provided to the pregnant mothers in Kabwe. 3. To examine challenges faced by mothers in using family planning methods. 4. To identify benefits of family planning services offered by Society for Family Health in Kabwe.
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5.0 Rationale The research will provide a working plat form to Society for Family health Zambia and other NGOs dealing with reproductive health in Zambia. The research findings will contribute to the already research results on family planning in Zambia. The research report is the partial fulfilment of the requirement of the award of a a certificate in Psychosocial Counselling at Kabsy Consultancy Services,Kabwe, Zambia. 6.0 Scope of the research The research will cover a period of 10 years from 2000 to 2010. 7.0 LITERATURE REVIEW Family planning is the planning of when to have children, and the use of birth control and other techniques to implement such plans. Other techniques commonly used include sexuality education, prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections, pre-conception counseling and management, and infertility management. Family planning is sometimes used in the wrong way also as a synonym for the use of birth control, though it often includes more. It is most usually applied to a female-male couple who wish to limit the number of children they have and/or to control the timing of pregnancy (also known as spacing children). Family planning may encompass sterilization, as well as pregnancy termination. Family planning services are defined as "educational, comprehensive medical or social activities which enable individuals, including minors, to determine freely the number and spacing of their children and to select the means by which this may be achieved."

There is no one single definition of poverty. One figure which has been suggested is that an income of half the national average indicates poverty. In Scotland this would be an income of 7,000. According to Scottish Poverty Information Unit (2009:9) Poverty is defined relative to the standards of living in a society at a specific time. People live in poverty when they are denied an income sufficient for their material needs and when these circumstances exclude them from taking part in activities which are an accepted part of daily life in that society." In another line of thought World Bank Organisation (2010:87) defines poverty in terms of ones income. it is "The most commonly used way to measure poverty is based on incomes. A person is considered poor if his or her income level falls below some minimum level necessary to meet basic needs. This minimum level is usually called the "poverty line". What is necessary to satisfy basic needs varies across time and societies. Therefore, poverty lines vary in time and place, and each country uses lines which are appropriate to its level of development, societal norms and values." "There are basically three current definitions of poverty in common usage: absolute poverty, relative poverty and social exclusion. Absolute poverty is defined as the lack of sufficient resources with which to keep body and soul together. Relative poverty defines income or resources in relation to the average. It is concerned with the absence of the material needs to participate fully in accepted daily life. Social exclusion is a new term used by the Government. The Prime Minister described social exclusion as "a shorthand label for what can happen when individuals or areas suffer from a combination of linked problems such as unemployment, poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, high crime environments, bad health and family breakdown"." In Zambia and other African countries, one major factor contributing to the challenge is the continued rapid growth of the population. The number of people in need of health, education, economic, and other services is
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large and increasing, which, in turn, means that the amount of resources, personnel, and infrastructure required to meet the MDGs is also increasing. In light of this fact, development efforts in support of the MDGs should not overlook the importance and benefits of slowing population growth.

The contribution of family planning to poverty reduction in Zambia Reducing MDG Costs High rates of population growth are largely the result of frequent childbearing or high fertilityoften corresponding with a large unmet need for family planning (FP). In Zambia, women still have, on average, about 6 children each, and surveys show that the unmet need for FP services is high (about 27 percent of married women of reproductive age want to space or limit births but are not currently using any method of family planning). If access to family planning services was increased, this unmet need could be met, therefore slowing population growth and reducing the costs of meeting the MDGs. The study estimated the extent of the cost savings for five of the eight MDGs. Costs were calculated under two scenarios: when unmet need for family planning remains constant and when all unmet need is gradually met by 2015. Although it may take Zambia longer than 10 years to satisfy all unmet needand this question is addressed in the larger study what is clear is that reducing the unmet need for FP services can help Zambia significantly reduce the costs of meeting the five selected MDGs, including: Achieve universal primary education
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 Reduce child mortality Improve maternal health Ensure environmental sustainability Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases For example, the cost of achieving the MDG for universal primary education is influenced by the number of children needing education. Fulfilling unmet need for family planning would result in fewer children requiring education, and as a result, there would be lower costs for universal primary education.

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METHODOLOGY Study Design

The study will use both the qualitative and quantitative designs in order to give accurate information on the role of prevailing situation using random sampling method. Sample size The sample size consisted of 30 respondents that will comprise of both mothers and Society for Family Health staff. Target Population The research intends to cover mothers from different communities within Kabwe main, Chowa, Bwacha, Makululu and railways townships. Data Collection Both primary and secondary data will be used in collecting information. Data Collection Instruments
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Family Planning

Services among mothers in Kabwe. The process will depict the

Interview Guide This will cover a wide range of questions on family planning. It will be designed and administered to those who will be willing to be interviewed at their own convenient time. Questionnaires It will be used in data collection where it will not be possible to meet all the respondents at one point.

Sampling Procedures The simple random sampling procedures will be used in this research for its high degree of representatives. In this particular case, rotary methods of sampling wills apply. In an attempt to choose 30 mothers aged 18 to 50 years of age without bias.

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10.0 References 1. Bates, J. A., and Rao, S. 2000. Zambia: Implications of health sector reform for contraceptive logistics. Arlington, Virginia, USA: Family Planning Logistics Management (FPLM)/John Snow, Inc. (JSI), for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). 2. CARE International. 2001. End of project evaluation: Community Family Planning (CFP) Project. Lusaka, Zambia. 3. Central Board of Health (CBOH), Population Council, and CARE International. 2001. Enhancing contraceptive choice and improving quality of family planning services in Zambia: Dissemination workshop report of proceedings. Ndola, Zambia. 4. CBOH. 2002. Reproductive Health Stakeholders Annual Meeting . FOCUS on Young Adults. 1999. Young adult reproductive health in Zambia: A review of studies and programmes. Report prepared for Republic of Zambia CBOH, USAID/Zambia, and partners. Washington, DC: Pathfinder International. 5. Hall, P. 2002. Availability of hormonal contraception in Zambia. London: Reproductive Health Alliance. 6. Pilots to Regional Programs (PRP) Initiative. 2003. Solutions. Newsletter of the PRP Initiative. No. 2.Population Reference Bureau (PRB). 2004. 2004 World Population Data Sheet.

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7. Washington, D.C. Singh, S., et al. 2003. Adding it up: The benefits of investing in sexual and reproductive health care. New York: The Alan Guttmacher Institute and UNFPA. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). 1996. Zambia 1996: Program review and strategy development report. Lusaka, Zambia. 8. The World Bank. 2004. World development report 2005: A better investment climate for everyone. Washington, DC. 9. World Health Organization (WHO). 2004. Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use. 3rd edition. Geneva. 10. WHO, UNAIDS, and UNFPA. 2004. Position statement on condoms and HIV prevention. Geneva.

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