In an effort to bring the latest information on family planning to more people in developing countries, Abt Associates is using technology to reach out to a diverse range of people in a cost-effective way.
More than 550 people from 80 countries logged on to an electronic conference May 8-9 to share experiences and learn more about expanding use of long-acting and permanent methods of family planning. Closing remarks were posted on May 10.
Gael O'Sullivan, principal associate
The electronic conferencewas organized and hosted by the Strengthening Health Outcomes through the Private Sector (SHOPS) project, led by Abt Associates and funded by USAID. Six Abt staff members gave presentations as did representatives from the USAID Office of Population and Reproductive Health and the USAID Bureau for Global Health.
On a specially designed interactive web site, participants viewed 15 presentations on topics ranging from barriers to long-acting and permanent methods of family planning (LA/PM) to the importance of private sector participation the delivery of such services. The conference also offered live chat sessions, the chance to share personal experiences, and the ability to ask questions to the pool of participants.
“We appreciated hearing a variety of perspectives from the field regarding the [LA/PM] challenges colleagues face,” said Gael O'Sullivan, principal associate, who participated in the live component of the e-conference.
Susan Mitchell, project director
Participants included health care professionals, donors, students, researchers, and development practitioners. The free e-conference was held to connect a wide variety of people with an interest in LA/PM, many of whom could not afford to travel to attend a conference in person. The online event included presentations in English and French.
The e-conference web site is intended to remain an active a place for LA/PM discussions and information sharing, according to SHOPS Project Director Susan Mitchell.
“We encourage participants to continue to utilize the e-conference site to network and learn from one another as we all work to increase LA/PM use around the world,” Mitchell said. The conference site will continue to host a collection of presentations, videos, an archive of the live chats, and other resources. Access will remain free.
This is Abt’s fifth e-conference. Previous conferences focused on mobile health, diarrhea management, access to finance, and social marketing. Abt presenters at the LA/PM e-conference included: Mitchell; Dr. Maha Shadid, project leader (Jordan); Dawn Crosby, senior finance and contract manager; Robin Keeley, senior analyst; Aisha Talib, associate scientist; and Thierry van Bastelaer, principal associate.