The Importance of Family Planning and the Development of a Robust Network of Relative Centers in the Greek National Health System

Abstract

The contemporary Greek family confronts serious challenges nowadays. The rates of unintended pregnancies, abortions, and teenage child-bearing are accompanied by a considerable increase, while the sexually transmitted diseases similarly present a high prevalence. On the contrary, the falling birth rate in conjunction with a decrease in marriages shrinks the Greek nation. A high percentage of people in reproductive age appear to miss the necessary scientifically approved information on contraception matters, reproductive, health and family planning in general. Therefore, action is necessary in order to raise public understanding on birth control, fertility, and safe sexual behavior, as well as reforms in the national health system, primarily in the primary health care, aiming to cope with the aforementioned problems. The prompt, organized and systematic development of family planning centers nationwide may constitute a reliable reaction to the accumulation of risks for the Greek society and its survival. The present study depicts a realistic method for the development of family planning centers within the existing health centers of the Greek National Health System and investigates the current framework and possible future difficulties-obstacles through a SWOT analysis. Furthermore, important guiding views and innovative ideas are suggested, which could contribute to the successful growth of these new institutions and the fulfillment of their role. The fundamental belief that supports this study is that the reforms should target the local societies and most importantly the Greek rural and isolated territories, where people have restricted access to organized health facilities and possess limited knowledge on health matters and family planning issues.