|
The Population Service Philippines Inc
Objective
The aim of the project is
to get working class men in the project area to play their role and
take responsibilities in family planning and prevent STDs.
Background
PSPI was established in 1992
to work for sexual and reproductive health (RH) need of Filipinos. In
its efforts to extend such care to men, PSPI embarked in an experimental
Men's RH project, the first of its kind in Philippines. The project
is sponsored by UNFPA using the static clinic as a fulcrum, mobile teams
and outreach workers travel to brothels near the clinic to bring knowledge
and service to sex workers and men. Service delivery strategies and
creative communication were developed based on the findings of a research
conducted at the start of the project.
Scope
The project was started in
1995. The clinic situated in Taytay town in Rizal province, a periurban
and fast industrializing town outside metro Manila was serve by an "all
male team". They provide education, promotion of condoms and surgical
method (vasectomy) for men. Following the success of the experimental
RH services for men, PSPI continue to expand such services to serve
men.
Main Activities
PSPI used the findings of
a formative research to tailor communication messages and programme
strategies and it is also the basis of all social marketing efforts
of the organization. The services provided for the "all male" clinic
include condom provision, STDs management, vasectomy and general medical
care. RH services for women are also available. Other activities include
development of IEC materials and conducting educational activities for
male target groups.
|
Evaluation Findings
The project has explored new
grounds and in showcasing experimental approaches in dealing with men.
Eight months after the project was launched, the project has conducted
21 vasectomy, 106 female sterilization and over 10,000 condoms were sold
in the social marketing services. In addition, the clinic recorded a high
number of clients visiting the clinic and many cases of STDs were treated.
Management Features
Strategy
The setting up of a male
RH clinic has helped men developed positive attitudes towards family
planning and give them access to a wide range of RH services.
Capacity building
The project team are trained
and training needs are periodically reviewed and retraining of team
members organized.
Mobilizing resources
Other than being financed
by UNFPA, some sustainability is made possible through user fee charges,
but they are not likely to be self-reliant at least in the near future.
Managerial leadership
The project team derive and
evolve their own plans and strategies with minimal supervision from
the head office. Regular monitoring and site visits by supervisors and
managers ensure quality of success. Personnel participate in decision
making in matters of activities to services.
The philosophy of branding
products and services by PSPI is a strong characteristics of all PSPI
clinics and is a factor in the successful implementation of services
and activities.
The IEC activities targeted
at tricycle drivers and factory workers and the social marketing activity
focused in commercial sex workers have promoted safe sexual behavior
among the target groups.
|
