Table 2 Three established methodologies for measuring the quality of family planning (FP) services
From: Renewing focus on family planning service quality globally
Method | Details | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
Situation Analysis [29] | • Designed specifically for FP • Facility inventory to assess the available services and physical structure, including types and amount of stock • FP provider interviews to determine the level of preparation based on training, experience, and degree of supervision • Client-provider observation to review service delivery and technical skills of providers • Client exit interviews to gather visit information from the client’s perspective | • Expensive • Time intensive • Training required to standardize observations and exit interviews • Difficult to repeat frequently |
Service Provision Assessment [30] | • Designed for reproductive and child health, including FP • Same components as Situation Analysis • Different data collection tools | • Expensive • Time intensive • Training required to standardize observations and exit interviews • Difficult to repeat frequently |
Quick Investigation of Quality [31] | • Derived from the Service Provision Assessment specifically for FP • Designed to be an efficient, low-cost, reproducible method to measure quality • Fewer components – no provider interview • Different data collection tools with fewer questions | • Training required to standardize observations and exit interviews |