Utilization of the Family Planning Quotient in Three Cohorts of Women [250

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In response to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions reproductive life plan we developed the Reproductive Life Index and its unit of measure the Family Planning Quotient to visually present and quantitatively assess reproductive health goals and outcomes. The objective of this study is to present utilization of Family Planning Quotient in three populations. METHODS: The Family Planning Quotient is a ratio of the number of children a woman has divided by the number she wants at one time point. A Family Planning Quotient less than 1 indicates a woman wants more children and a Family Planning Quotient greater than 1 indicates a woman has achieved or exceeded her family plans. The Family Planning Quotient can be used on a population level to capture overall reproductive health status. The Family Planning Quotient was sampled in three populations: 468 family planning providers in a national survey of family planning providers 1780 patients presenting for first-trimester abortion and 124 patients in the Title X program. RESULTS: Among family planning providers 59.2% had a quotient less than 1 39.3% equal to 1 and 1.5% greater than 1. Among first-trimester abortions 35.9% had a quotient less than 1 58.9% equal to 1 and 5.2% greater than 1. Among Title X programs 44.4% had a quotient less than 1 49.2% equal to 1 and 6.5% greater than 1. Family Planning Quotients were significantly different when stratified by age among the family planning providers (P<.001) patients presenting for first-trimester abortion (P<.001) and Title X programs (P=.004). CONCLUSION: The Reproductive Life Index/Family Planning Quotient is an innovative tool to assist patients and health care providers in the discussion of reproductive health plans and should be further implemented to demonstrate its effect on reproductive planning.