Development of the Profamilia Rural Family Planning Program in Colombia

In 1970 Profamilia in conjunction with the National Federation of Coffee Growers set up a family planning program on an experimental basis in a few selected rural areas. Prime emphasis has been in small rural isolated agricultural communities in which field workers have been recruited from the local populace. The family planning programs are part of a wider plan of assistance called integrated rural development. The field worker finds a person in each community responsible for distributing the contraceptives (condoms spermicides oral contraceptives) and keeping simple records. 3 forms provide the basis of the statistical record-keeping and follow-up system. In 1974 there were about 370 distribution posts operating in 60 countries of 6 states and about 12400 families had participated in the program. The experience with patients taking oral contraceptives without direct medical supervision suggests that control of contraceptives by physicians is not necessary as long as medical attention is available when necessary.