Title: Ecuador trip report: the challenge of the rural areas.

POPLINE Document Number: 101819

Author(s):

Saba W

Source citation:

[Unpublished] 1994. [6], 5, [2] p.

Abstract:

A Johns Hopkins University/Population Communication Services (JHU/PCS) program officer traveled to Ecuador on November 6-18, 1994, to 1) work with the local JHU/PCS coordinator and a team of scriptwriters creating a soap opera on reproductive health and 2) discuss the guidelines for a new midterm communication strategy with the IEC (information, education, and communication) Technical Committee. The synopsis of the soap opera was completed, and production was scheduled for April 1995. During meetings with CEMOPLAF (Centro Medico de Orientacion y Planificacion Familiar) directors, the following goals were identified: 1) to decentralize IEC strategies and focus on the health centers which have fewer clients; 2) to develop different strategies for different centers; 3) to use central-level family planning (FP) staff to provide technical assistance for the development of the strategies at the clinic level; and 4) to focus on rural and indigenous areas where the contraceptive prevalence rate is 44% (vs. 66% in cities). During meetings with APROFE (Asociacion Pro Bienestar de la Familia Ecuatoriana) directors, agreement was reached for the hands-on development of communication campaigns (start-to-finish development of a radio campaign and training on the roles of research in communication campaign development) to promote FP services. APROFE also asked JHU/PCS for technical assistance in marketing rental of an auditorium for training activities and cultural events. The JHU personnel also met with a USAID projects specialist and learned that overall results of the evaluation of the FP program in Ecuador were very positive. It was noted that cost-effective methods of reaching rural, indigenous, and hard-to-reach urban groups were needed. Specific recommendations in addition to the above were to 1) conduct a workshop for clinic directors on the impact of communication in bringing clients to clinics, 2) test the feasibility of CHEMOPLAF charging a small fee for training services, and 3) hire a consultant to develop a pilot program for a television series.

Keywords:

Ecuador
Rural Population
Indigenous Population
IEC
Radio
Television
Family Planning Education
Reproductive Health
Health Education
Sex Education
USAID
South America, Western
South America
Latin America
Americas
Developing Countries
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Program Activities
Programs
Organization and Administration
Broadcast Media
Mass Media
Communication
Education
Health
Government Agencies
Organizations