Working with Faith Entities to Expand Family Planning

Harnessing the Untapped Potential of Faith Groups to Improve Health Indicators

Victoria Graham, MBAUSAID/GH/PRH/SDI

May 6, 2014CORE Group Meeting

Faith entity defined

• Faith-based Organizations• Centralized church networks and Infrastructure of

religious denominations • Related social groups and services• Faith-related media outlets (web, radio, TV)• Faith-based health systems, facilities, and outreach

and community-based services• Education systems including medical training and

higher education• Influential denominational leaders• Interfaith coalitions

Why work with faith entities?

•Committed to serving the poor and disadvantaged•They have a long-term presence in their communities•They have deep and trusted relationships with their communities•Leaders are skilled and influential communicators able to shape cultural norms and promote healthy behaviors. thinking and foster dialogue•Leaders have access to the family and individuals .•Most faith organizations with health programming recognize that HTSP is important to maternal and child health

Faith and religion are important to those living in poor countries

Crabtree S, Pelham B. Religion Provides Emotional Boost to World’s Poor. Gallup World Web site.

Why faith entities?

Countries by GDP (nominal) per capita

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The poor valuing faith and religion as part of their daily life are found in Africa and South Asia

Why faith entities?

Religious leaders are more trusted than politicians globally

Ferrett G. Africans Trust Religious Leaders. British Broadcasting Company Web site. Available http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/Africa/4246754.stm. Dated 14 September 2005. Accessed March 24, 2014

Why faith entities?

Other than friends and family, religious leaders influence personal decisions

Ferrett G. Africans Trust Religious Leaders. British Broadcasting Company Web site. Available http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/Africa/4246754.stm. Dated 14 September 2005. Accessed March 24, 2014

Why faith entities?

Survey MethodologyContraceptive Method

All women

Catholic Protestant None

Mainline Evangelical

Highly Effective 69 68 73 74 62

Sterilization 33 32 34 41 26

Pill/other hormonal 31 31 35 28 30

Intrauterine device 5 5 4 4 6

Condom 14 15 13 10 17

Natural FP 1 2 1 1 1

Other 5 4 4 6 7

None 11 11 10 9 14

Current USA contraceptive use among women at risk of unintended pregnancy by religious affiliation

(Natl Surv Fam Grwth 2006-08; n=7,356 women)

Faith Entities are extensive social sector networksThe Adventist Church in Malawi•Over 1300 churches within Central, North, and South Malawi •1.2 - 1.6 million attend Sabbath services each week•Departments for Health and Family MinistriesThe Adventist Health System in Malawi•Two major hospitals in the South – Blantyre and Malamulu•Sanitarium in Lilongwe serving the central region.•Adventist Health Services - 17 clinics throughout the country, ADRA works in all three regions of Malawi:•HIV/AIDS and Food Security Program•Broadcasts the most watched TV and radio program in the country titled “Why are we dying?”•Collaborates closely with the Adventist Health System •WASH projects

Why faith entities?

Diversity among faith entities

• What is appropriate family planning language• Beliefs on age of marriage, use of contraception

among unmarried• Beliefs regarding appropriateness of abortion• Ability to motivate members to practice beliefs• What methods are appropriate

– All methods– All methods except what they believe are

abortificients– Only natural methods

CCIH survey respondents source of drugs and contraceptives - 20 respondents

Huber D, Yang ER, Brown J, and Brown R. International Family Planning Christian Actions and Attitudes, August 2008.

CCIH Survey Respondents interested in doing more in family planning - (57 Respondents)

Huber D, Yang ER, Brown J, and Brown R. International Family Planning Christian Actions and Attitudes, August 2008.

Guiding Principles

• Spirit of Respect and Trust• Build on the comparative advantage of faith

entities• Establish partnerships• Support integration of FP into other health

services, especially maternal and child health• If working with USAID, Compliance with

Federal Laws*

USAID’s regulations regarding participation by religious organizations is found in the Federal Register (69 FR 61716) and is dated October 20, 2004. USAID restrictions regarding abortion and support for family planning service delivery can be found at http://www.usaid.gov/what-we-do/global-health/family-planning/usaids-family-planning-guiding-principles-and-us-0

Faith entities are an under utilized social sector network for health promotion, supporting behavior

change and bringing services to underserved populations

Particularly healthy timing and spacing of pregnancy, domestic violence, and improving gender norms

Let’s explore how to effectively utilize these social sector networks

Thank You!