title: The World Health Organization-United Nations Population Fund Strategic Partnership Programme's implementation of family planning guidelines and tools in Asia-Pacific countries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the Strategic Partnership Programme, a collaboration between the World Health Organization and the United Nations Population Fund to improve evidence-based guidance for country programs through the introduction of selected practice guidelines to improve sexual and reproductive health.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information for this report is from questionnaires sent to Ministries of Health in 2004 (baseline assessment) and in 2007 (assessment of outcome), annual country reports and personal communication with focal points from Ministries of Health and World Health Organization regional and country offices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following the Strategic Partnership Programme, family planning guidance was used extensively to: formulate and update reproductive health policy; update standards and guidelines; improve training curricula; conduct training activities; develop advocacy and communication materials; and promote change in service.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Strategic Partnership Programme was successful in promoting the introduction of evidence-based guidelines for reproductive health in several Asian countries. The countries that adapted the family planning guidance observed an increase in demand for contraceptives commodities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. smody@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: Sheila K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Mody
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ba-Thike
authors.forename: Mary E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gaffield
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia; D044362:Australasia; D003906:Developing Countries; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D016656:Family Planning Policy; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D055818:Public-Private Sector Partnerships; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014480:United Nations; D014944:World Health Organization