Founded in 1957, the Jamaica Family Planning Association (FAMPLAN) pioneered family planning services in Jamaica and helped set up the government programme.

We support the national programme by providing family planning information and education, offering services in peripheral communities outside the scope of the national programme and providing voluntary sterilisation.

FAMPLAN tries to encourage Jamaicans to take advantage of the often under-used government service.

FAMPLAN is intensifying its advocacy role in regard to instituting sex education in schools and harnessing greater support for family planning among leaders.

The Association also seeks to heighten the level of awareness concerning our work among the media and other professional groups.

FAMPLAN continues its programme to integrate HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention into its family planning services, training clinical and outreach staff.

Staff highlight the dual benefits of condom use for pregnancy and HIV/STI prevention. When counsellors discuss a family planning method, they consider whether it confers protection for both.

Since cultural norms that tolerate promiscuous behaviour among men are still in place, women are being taught safe sex negotiating skills and empowered to refuse unsafe sex.

The Association has incorporated male involvement by training its drivers to provide education.  FAMPLAN has established condom distribution points in rural areas and a youth programme using peer education models.