ROMAN-CATHOLIC CHURCH-SPONSORED NATURAL FAMILY-PLANNING-SERVICES IN THE UNITED-STATES

Objectives: Our objective was to determine the level and quality of na tural family planning service provided by Roman Catholic Diocese-relat ed programs in the United States. Study design: Programs volunteered q uarterly data for five years, using least squares regression we estima ted service levels for programs never reporting. Results: From 1988 to 1992, 78 dioceses ever reported and 96 never reported. The majority o f clients were avoiding pregnancy and receiving follow-up. An average of 18 061 women were taught by these programs each year in the reporti ng period. Conclusion: Without greater commitment of resources, it is likely that NFP will continue to be a marginal method of family planni ng in the United States.