Resource Type: Report
Authors: Rena Eichler, Barbara Seligman, Alix Beith, and Jenna Wright
Published: 9/13/2010

Resource Description:

The trend to implement Performance-based Incentives (PBI) in low- and middle-income countries to strengthen health systems, accelerate service utilization, and enhance quality of health interventions presents an opportunity as well as a challenge for voluntary family planning (FP) service delivery and use. There is considerable opportunity, through performance-based incentives, to stimulate quality FP counseling and increase access to and availability of voluntary family planning. At the same time, the challenge of introducing incentives that support informed voluntary choice requires careful design and ongoing monitoring.

This paper identifies the opportunities as well as the challenges of incorporating FP into PBI approaches; discusses U.S. policies and support for enhancing access to FP; presents what is known about how low- and middle-income countries are including FP in PBI approaches and lessons learned; and provides suggestions for donors, policymakers, program implementers, and technical assistance providers about how to responsibly and effectively integrate FP into PBI programs in the developing world.