Methodologies for Evaluating the Impact of Contraceptive Social Marketing Programs

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of evaluation issues with regard to CSM programs. The diversity of research to be conducted, the methodological and logistic difficulties involved, and the problems in interpreting certain results may seem daunting. In fact, this helps to explain the relative dearth of evaluation research on CSM programs to date (although much more is expected to emerge on this subject in the next two to three years). However, CSM as a means of family planning service delivery is growing rapidly in numerous developing countries around the world. Behind this is a significant financial investment on the part of donor a gencies, and thus a great need on the part of the population community to learn more about the impact of CSM programs.