RESUMEN

The demographic impact of the Barbados Family Planning Programme in terms of births averted is estimated by using the information available in the service records of the Barbados Family Planning Association supplemented by data from vital statistics and census publications. About half the decline in births during the period 1960-1970 can be attributed to the clients of the Family Planning Association. Further, the decline in births among clients during the decade may be about 45 percent as against 13 percent among the non-clients. As the active clients at any time form about one-fifth of all women in the reproductive age groups the impact of the Family Planning Programme has been substantial. The average cost per birth averted came to U.S $77 over the entire period the programme has been in effect, and for more recent years to about $50 per birth. While this cost might seem high in relation to other cost estimates of national programmes there have been substantial benefits. Accrued benefits to date come to U.S $392, a sum which excludes future benefits from births already averted. The ratio of cost to benefit is about 1:5.1. As any cost-benefit analysis involves various assumptions the problems inherent in such analysis are pointed out. (Summary)

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RESUMEN

Abstract Of the Caribbean islands, Barbados has the lowest fertility level. The crude birth rate in 1970 was only 20·5 per 1,000, which is one of the lowest found in any country of similar economic development anywhere in the world. In 1960 the crude birth rate was much higher, at about 33·6 and for almost 40 years before that had fluctuated around a value of 33. Thus, a decline of about 40% has been achieved within the comparatively short period of a decade. The reasons for this rapid decline are of particular interest to all those concerned with population growth and economic development in the less developed areas. In Barbados, the importance of population control and the role of family planning was recognised early by the government and other civic agencies, and the Barbados Family Planning Association (BFPA), an autonomous national family planning agency, was established. Since its modest beginning in 1955 the BFPA has grown to be a major social institution, comprising 14 clinics situated in various localities throughout the island. In 1970, a full-time staff of 28 were providing services to an estimated 10,000 clients, about 20% of all women of reproductive age. Funds for the BFPA have come from local government with considerable assistance from international agencies.