title: Between compliance and resistance: exploring discourses on family planning in Community Health Committees in Mozambique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although the Mozambican government has implemented a community-based approach to family planning (FP), little is known about the appropriateness of this process. We explore how members of Community Health Committees (CHCs) address and act regarding FP.
  An in-depth qualitative study of CHCs was conducted at two sites in Maputo province--Ndlavela and Boane--using focus group discussions (n=6), informal conversations (n=4) and observation. The analysis followed a phenomenological approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CHCs in Ndlavela appeared to transfer more of the expected information than those in Boane. However, in the CHCs at both study sites, we found heterogeneity in CHCs' perspectives leading to conflicting views among committee members (CMs). Arising issues included contraceptive type, target groups, the desirable number of children per family as well as the way FP was to be represented. Moreover, weak communication between CMs and health workers, and lack of payment for CMs' activities influenced promotion of FP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The two CHCs framed FP in different ways leading to inconsistent participation of CHC members in promoting FP. Policymakers should consider the diversity of discourses and aspirations of these committees when delivering information to them.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Brussels University), Centre for Research in Gender and Diversity, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Rehana Dauto
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Capurchande
authors.affiliation: Department of Philosophy and Ethics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Brussels University), Centre for Research in Gender and Diversity, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Gily
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coene
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universiteit Gent (Ghent University), Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Kristien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Roelens
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, Universiteit Antwerpen (Antwerp University), Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies, Antwerpen, Belgium Centre for Health Systems Research and Development (CHSR&D), University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Meulemans
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D003150:Community Health Workers; D003267:Contraception; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009073:Mozambique; D011634:Public Health; D012098:Reproduction; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population; D014838:Volunteers; D055815:Young Adult