Program Costs
The costs of executing and sustaining a CBFP program are an important consideration when planning for implementation. Research indicates that the cost per unit of output for CHW CBFP program is consistently lower than for clinic-based service delivery approaches. CBD incurs high initial costs, but cost-effectiveness improves with time.[1] Nearly 30 years of data show that contraceptive prevalence increases with each additional family planning method that becomes available to most of the population. CBFP programs expand access to more of the population, thereby contributing to this effect.[2]
Program managers should gather data to assess the costs of each phase of implementation including engaging stakeholders and planning the intervention, preparing for service delivery, implementing, and evaluating the new program.
This section of the toolkit provides tools to help program managers collect, synthesize, and analyze costing data so that it can be shared with stakeholders to inform scaling up. Costing information can also be used to educate decision makers about investing in this family planning strategy.
[1] Service Sustainability Strategies in Sexual and Reproductive Health: Community Based Distribution, DFID/JSI