Pilot programs increase men's involvement.

: The UN Population Fund contends that it is the need for family planning (FP) information and services instead of lack of interest that prevents men from participating more in FP. 3 pilot projects in Pakistan, Zimbabwe, and Colombia have acted on this belief. In geographically isolated Mardan, Pakistan, the all male Urban Community Developing Council (UCDC) started a community education project to involve men in FP. 5 UCDC member form 1 community educator team of which there are 60. The teams visit families in Mardan. In 1988, 1 team reported that some men in the households wanted a women to inform their wives about FP. Eventually UCDC located enough women free to be members on 40 teams. In 4 years, contraceptive prevalence among married couples rose from 9% to 21%. Initially the methods tended to be temporary methods but are now longer lasting methods (IUDs, sterilization, injectables, and even a few vasectomies). Other community groups donate about US$541/month to the project. In 1988, the Zimbabwean National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) began its national education/male motivation project which included sending messages via popular radio soap opera, discussions, and leaflet distribution. The program reached many rural men since they tend to have radios. In 1 year, more men were taking part in decisions about FP (25-35%). ZNFPC has learned it needs to design 2 campaigns to promote condom use: 1 for single and 1 for married men. PROFAMILIA in Colombia began its 1st male clinic in 1985 in Bogota. By 1992, it had 8 male clinics. The key to its success is attractive clinics, low cost vasectomy, individualized care, wide range of services such as condom distribution and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, and Saturday hours. Despite the 3 projects' successes, they face many obstacles that need to be addressed.