Open AccessLessons learned from a community-based distribution programme in rural Bihar
Author(s) -
Shahina Parveen,
M Khan,
John Townsend,
Bijendra Patel
Publication year - 1995
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.31899/rh1995.1019
Subject(s) - outreach , poverty , distribution (mathematics) , work (physics) , economic growth , population , geography , state (computer science) , socioeconomics , business , engineering , economics , demography , computer science , sociology , mathematics , mechanical engineering , mathematical analysis , algorithm
The state of Bihar in North India ranks near the bottom of the Indian states in terms of its demographic situation. The infant mortality rate as of 1991 was 69 per 1,000, and the contraceptive prevalence rate as of 1990 was 26 percent. Bihar ranks near the bottom among other states of India in almost all indicators of social and economic development. One reason for its low performance is weak management. Besides poverty, a poor communications network and lack of proper infrastructure further make the implementation of programs difficult. Workers have misconceptions about FP methods, and educational activities are poorly designed and implemented. Grassroot workers generally do not attend to their work and program outreach is limited. Given the situation, it is difficult to increase acceptance of FP, particularly among lower parity couples, unless the whole program is revamped and innovative approaches are introduced to increase program outreach and quality of services. The present study, as stated in this report, monitors and documents one such innovative approach presently being implemented by the Bihar State Cooperative Milk Producers Federation in collaboration with the Centre for Development and Population Activities, Washington, DC.