The effect of family planning in Georgia on fertility in selected rural counties.

To assess the possible effect of family planning fertility was examined by 3 variables (race, age, parity) in 2 groups of matched counties in rural Georgia, one with family planning programs (test group); one without (controls). Women in need of public contraceptive services were defined as fecund (age 18-44), household income less than $3000, and desired to avoid pregnancy. Characteristics of contraceptive users in the study area were: 90% Negro, 83% between 15-34 years, 65.9% married, 94.1% had children, 55% used the IUD, and 36.7%, oral contraceptives. Negro fertility declined in both groups at the same rate between 1960-1966 but in 1966-1968, the rate declined more (3 times greater) in the study group. Negro fertility declined more in all age groups of the study area than that of the control (50% decline for the women 25-39). The decline in fertility was greater for active contraceptors going to family planning clinics. More frequent and precise measurements of population characteristics will be needed to show the impact of family planning services.