The utilization of conception cohorts for the evaluation of family planning programs

Data were collected from women who conceived during specified period from 1971 through June 1973 in order to determine: (a) the rates of planned and unplanned conception throughout the state, over time and by clinic service area; and (b) the characteristics which are known to influence fertility behavior (age, marital status, and ethnic group) of those women who failed to plan their conceptions. These data were compared with the characteristics of women served by the family planning clinics in various areas to determine whether services were being extended to high risk groups. Evaluation of the groups in need of service in each clinic area, and comparison of these findings with the characteristics of women actually served by the clinic, identified areas where services were not being directed to groups in need. These area differences provided examples of situations potentially amenable to application of evaluation results in order to give direction to family planning services.