Measuring Access to Family Planning: Conceptual Frameworks and DHS Data

Expanding access to family planning (FP) is a driving aim of global and national FP efforts. The definition and measurement of access, however, remain nebulous, largely due to complexity. This article aims to bring clarity to the measurement of FP access. First, we synthesize key access elements for...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Studies in family planning 2016-06, Vol.47 (2), p.145-161
Main Authors: Choi, Yoonjoung, Fabic, Madeleine Short, Adetunji, Jacob
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Automobiles
Constraints
Demographics
Ethiopia
Family planning
Family Planning Services - supply & distribution
Female
Health
Health care access
Health Services Accessibility - organization & administration
Health Services Accessibility - statistics & numerical data
Health Surveys
Humans
Measurement
Middle Aged
Polls & surveys
Rwanda
Senegal
Young Adult
Zimbabwe
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Summary:Expanding access to family planning (FP) is a driving aim of global and national FP efforts. The definition and measurement of access, however, remain nebulous, largely due to complexity. This article aims to bring clarity to the measurement of FP access. First, we synthesize key access elements for measurement by reviewing three well-known frameworks. We then assess the extent to which the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS)—a widely used data source for FP programs and research—has information to measure these elements. We finally examine barriers to access by element, using the latest DHS data from four countries in sub-Saharan Africa. We discuss opportunities and limitations in the measurement of access, the importance of careful interpretation of data from population-based surveys, and recommendations for collecting and using data to better measure access.
ISSN:0039-3665
1728-4465
DOI:10.1111/j.1728-4465.2016.00059.x