INDICATORS FOR MEASURING THE QUALITY OF FAMILY-PLANNING-SERVICES IN NIGERIA

This article presents the Situation Analysis approach as a means of co llecting data that can be used to assess the quality of care provided by family planning service-delivery points (SDPs), and describes the q uality of services offered in Nigeria. Elements of the quality of serv ices provided at 181 clinical service-delivery points in six states of Nigeria are described. The substantive results from the study suggest that although most of the 181 service points sampled are functional, the quality of care being provided could be improved. Illustrative sco res for these indicators and elements of the Bruce-Jain framework are given. By comparison with contraceptive prevalence surveys, the Situat ion Analysis approach is still in its early stages. Some methodologica l issues are raised here and future directions for strengthening the v alidity and applicability of the approach ave discussed.