An Overview of Family Planning in Korea (1961-1978)

Abstract

Family planning in Korea during the last 2 decades is reviewed. In recognition of the fact that gains made in improving Koreas standard of living were being offset by concurrent gains in population growth the national government included family planning in its 1962-1966 5 year-plan. As a consequence prohibiting regulations were repealed domestic production of contraceptives was encouraged a family planning advisory committee was established and about $336000 was appropriated for 1962 to initiate the program. 366 family planning workers were trained in 1962 and 2 were assigned to each family planning clinic of the nations 183 county health centers. A nationwide information program was also carried out. The efforts of 2 university family planning research teams are described along with the activities of the Two Children Club the Korean Institute for Family Planning the Korean Association for Voluntary Sterilization and the In-Country Technical Assistance Mission for the Family Planning Program in Korea. The national demographic goal was to reduce the growth rate to 25 20 15 and 13/1000 by the end of each 5-year development planning period (1966 1971 1976 and 1981. To achieve such a goal targets for family planning practice rates were set. The government program was directed primarily at the rural population and poor urban population. In 1964 1473 female family planning workers were recruited and 1 was assigned to each township. Family planning workers issue coupons to those couples motivated to obtain free supplies at nearby clinics or health centers hospitals or designated private practitioners. By 1968 the cumulative total achievement of family planning services delivered by the national program were approximately 4350000 IUD insertions 2000000 couple years protection (CYP) by oral contraceptives (OCs) 250000 CYP by condom 850000 sterilizations and 100000 cases of menstrual regulation. The estimated number of births averted is about 2 million. Korea has spent about U.S. $100 million for the family planning program. According to the 1978 Knowledge Attitude Practice (KAP) survey 21% of eligible couples were currently practicing contraception on their own while 28% were using government services. The tremendous increase of sterilization in the last 2 years is another encouraging sign of improvement in the programs use-effectiveness. The programs strong points and problem areas are identified.