Active Users vs. Couple-Months-of-Protection: The Comparability of Two Indicators of Performance in Family Planning Programs

The purpose of this study was to determine the comparability of two indicators of family planning (FP) performance-number of active users (a widely reported statistic) and couple-months-of protection. Both were used to monitor the Guatemalan community- based distribution (CBD) program over a twelve-month period. Discrepancies between the two indicators were observed m monthly statistics but were minimal in trimester data. Differences between indicators were greater for barrier methods than the pill, although both systems yielded similar results on the distribution of users by method. It is recom mended that CMP be used for the routine monitoring of FPprograms, and that CMP be reported separately for clinical and nonclinical methods.