Birth order distribution as a family planning program evaluation indicator

Abstract

This research aims at deriving a simple indicator for measuring fertility and family planning program output at various admintrative levels of the country. The proportion of first and second births to total registered births (FSB) is purposed as an ideal measure of family planning performance at the provincial and regional level. The FSB indicator is simple to understand and analyze and it can be obtained in the existing registration system of Thailand. This indicator is highly correlated with the CPR, CBR and TFR. Based on the findings of this study, it is assured that the FSB is a practical indicator of the family planning program performance at any level of administrative unit in thailand. It is recommended that the service statistics reporting system should begin including the FSB tabulations for regions, provinces and districts immediately.