The Lincoln Parish Family Planning Program and Its Implications for Reducing Reproductive Wastage in the Rural Poor.

Beasley, Joseph D.; And Others

The Lincoln Parish Family Planning Program, a 1968 pilot study designed in cooperation with the Louisiana State Board of Health, is described. The major purpose of the program was to design a program of medical care for the rural poor which would provide mothers in Lincoln Parish with information and services needed to plan family size. Sections of the document are devoted to (1) selection of site, (2) family survey for program design, (3) patient identification and contact system, (4) follow-up system, (5) summary of the findings, (6) discussion, and (7) preliminary effectiveness of a family planning program. It is noted that the results of the 2-year study imply that a rural area is, indeed, receptive to new ideas and to new concepts; that area personnel are willing to coordinate and to develop a local systematic program; and that local personnel can be trained to meet the challenges. The overall conclusion points out the need for better health services and health education for the rural poor. The document is appended with references, a figure, and 5 tables. (AN)