Indonesia: Utilization of completed operations research studies

In the past eight years, many operations research (OR) programs were implemented in Indonesia to increase the availability, accessibility, and acceptability of services desired by family planning (FP) users. OR has also been employed to improve quality and sustainability by studying the performance, efficiency, and effectiveness of services delivered by providers. Nonetheless, relatively little is known about the true effects of OR studies in identifying and solving program problems in order to support the planning and coordinating of a particular program. Measuring utilization of OR results is not simple. In 1989, USAID signed its last bilateral assistance agreement with the National Family Planning Coordinating Board, known as BKKBN. The Office of Population and Health initiated the Asia Near-East Operations Research and Technical Assistance (ANE OR/TA) project in 1990. BKKBN set up of three centers in 1984 to conduct collaborative activities with various universities and NGOs in implementing research including OR studies. The Population Council assessed the extent to which utilization of OR results is fully realized. This assessment report highlights 26 OR studies mostly carried out between 1988 and 1995

Improved reproductive health and STD services for women presenting to family planning services in North Jakarta. Final report of activities

The overall goal of this study was to develop an integrated program of reproductive tract infection/sexually transmitted disease (RTI/STD) clinical services within two family planning clinics in low-income neighborhoods in North Jakarta. Multiple training programs to introduce a standardized clinical evaluation for the detection, treatment, and management of RTI/STDs were conducted. Prior and subsequent to training, observations of health care provider (HCP) and client interactions were conducted to evaluate behavior changes among HCPs. Each consenting client received a standardized reproductive health history, a pelvic exam, and provided specimens for laboratory testing to detect RTIs. Through universal screening of the participants by an STD referral laboratory, 25 percent were confirmed to have one or more RTIs while 14 percent had one or more STDs. HCPs were observed by trained research assistants who recorded an itemized evaluation of HCP behavioral components. As noted in this report, the 70-item observation tool showed a preference for performing physical examinations, and a reluctance to perform history taking, education, partner treatment plans, and prevention counseling