Roles of private sector in family planning service delivery in Thailand

Abstract

Using data from the 1987 Contraceptive Use Patterns Survey and the 1996 National Contraceptive Prevalence Survey, the role of private sector in family planning service delivery was analyzed. It was found that during the last two decades from 1987 to 1996, the role of private sector was more less stable, providing family planning services to slightly over one-fifth of contraceptive acceptors. The share of private sector was higher than the public sector in only one method-condom. Due primarily to the fact that it is the only one of the nonmedical - provided method which is promoted and provided by drug stores. Within the private sector, drugstores were the most popular service outlets being the main source of service delivery for condom and pills, followed by private clinics in both urban and rural areas. It was concluded that the government outlets, especially the sub-district health centers and community hospitals, still play the major role in family planning service delivery in rural areas where about 70 percent of the population reside.