Abstract

PIP: Following field reports that men were resistant to family planning and prevented their wives from using any form of contraception, the Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone (PPASL) launched a project in 1992 to motivate men. The project disseminated the messages that family planning practice can help to improve socioeconomic status and prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. A broad array of approaches was used to sensitize and educate men, including publicity campaigns, group meetings, home visits, the distribution of print media, radio and television, and the formation of men's clubs. Two community based agents were trained and deployed in Tombo to sell and distribute contraceptives. Monthly back-up clinic services were also provided. It was learned from the evaluation conducted at the end of 1995 that male family planning acceptor figures were markedly higher in 1993 and 1994 relative to 1992. However, rebel warfare in 1995 made the entire country unsafe for full project implementation.