IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/popmgt/v30y2021i12p4522-4540.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Site Visit Frequency Policies for Mobile Family Planning Services

Author

Listed:
  • Harwin De Vries
  • Lisa E. Swinkels
  • Luk N. Van Wassenhove

Abstract

Improving access to family planning services is key to achieving many of the United Nations sustainable development goals. To scale up access in remote areas and urban slums, many developing countries deploy mobile family planning teams that visit “outreach sites” several times per year. Visit frequencies have a significant effect on the total number of clients served and hence the impact of the outreach program. Using a large dataset of visits in Madagascar, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, our study models the relationship between the number of clients seen during a visit and the time since the last visit and uses this model to analyze the characteristics of optimal frequencies. We use the latter to develop simple frequency policies for practical use, prove bounds on the worst‐case optimality gap, and test the impact of the policies with a simulation model. Our main finding is that despite the complexity of the frequency optimization problem, simple policies yield near‐optimal results. This holds even when few data are available and when the relationship between client volume and the time since the last visit is misspecified or substantially biased. The simulation for Uganda shows a potential increase in client numbers of between 7% and 10%, which corresponds to more than 12,000 additional families to whom family planning services could be provided. Our results can assist policymakers in determining when to start data‐driven frequency determination and which policies to implement.

Suggested Citation

  • Harwin De Vries & Lisa E. Swinkels & Luk N. Van Wassenhove, 2021. "Site Visit Frequency Policies for Mobile Family Planning Services," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(12), pages 4522-4540, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:popmgt:v:30:y:2021:i:12:p:4522-4540
    DOI: 10.1111/poms.13484
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/poms.13484
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1111/poms.13484?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Marilène Cherkesly & Marie‐Ève Rancourt & Karen R. Smilowitz, 2019. "Community Healthcare Network in Underserved Areas: Design, Mathematical Models, and Analysis," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 28(7), pages 1716-1734, July.
    2. Harwin de Vries & Joris van de Klundert & Albert Wagelmans, 2021. "Toward Elimination of Infectious Diseases with Mobile Screening Teams: HAT in the DRC," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(10), pages 3408-3428, October.
    3. Amir Karimi & Anant Mishra & Karthik V. Natarajan & Kingshuk K. Sinha, 2021. "Managing Commodity Stock‐outs in Public Health Supply Chains in Developing Countries: An Empirical Analysis," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(9), pages 3116-3142, September.
    4. Ngai-Hang Z Leung & Ana Chen & Prashant Yadav & Jérémie Gallien, 2016. "The Impact of Inventory Management on Stock-Outs of Essential Drugs in Sub-Saharan Africa: Secondary Analysis of a Field Experiment in Zambia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(5), pages 1-18, May.
    5. Satoru Fujishige & Naoki Katoh & Tetsuo Ichimori, 1988. "The Fair Resource Allocation Problem with Submodular Constraints," Mathematics of Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 13(1), pages 164-173, February.
    6. Doerner, Karl & Focke, Axel & Gutjahr, Walter J., 2007. "Multicriteria tour planning for mobile healthcare facilities in a developing country," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 179(3), pages 1078-1096, June.
    7. Hoda Parvin & Shervin Beygi & Jonathan E. Helm & Peter S. Larson & Mark P. Van Oyen, 2018. "Distribution of Medication Considering Information, Transshipment, and Clustering: Malaria in Malawi," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 27(4), pages 774-797, April.
    8. Tanser, Frank & Gijsbertsen, Brice & Herbst, Kobus, 2006. "Modelling and understanding primary health care accessibility and utilization in rural South Africa: An exploration using a geographical information system," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(3), pages 691-705, August.
    9. Cyrus Derman, 1959. "A Simple Allocation Problem," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 5(4), pages 453-459, July.
    10. Harwin de Vries & Joris van de Klundert & Albert P.M. Wagelmans, 2020. "The Roadside Healthcare Facility Location Problem A Managerial Network Design Challenge," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 29(5), pages 1165-1187, May.
    11. Kurt M. Bretthauer & Bala Shetty, 1995. "The Nonlinear Resource Allocation Problem," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 43(4), pages 670-683, August.
    12. Mili Mehrotra & Karthik V. Natarajan, 2020. "Value of Combining Patient and Provider Incentives in Humanitarian Health Care Service Programs," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 29(3), pages 571-594, March.
    13. Gemma Berenguer & Pinar Keskinocak & J. George Shanthikumar & Jayashankar M. Swaminathan & Luk Van Wassenhove & Karthik V. Natarajan & Jayashankar M. Swaminathan, 2017. "Multi-Treatment Inventory Allocation in Humanitarian Health Settings under Funding Constraints," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 26(6), pages 1015-1034, June.
    14. Paola Martin & Diwakar Gupta & Karthik V. Natarajan, 2020. "Vaccine Procurement Contracts for Developing Countries," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 29(11), pages 2601-2620, November.
    15. Gemma Berenguer & Pinar Keskinocak & J. George Shanthikumar & Jayashankar M. Swaminathan & Luk Van Wassenhove & Jérémie Gallien & Iva Rashkova & Rifat Atun & Prashant Yadav, 2017. "National Drug Stockout Risks and the Global Fund Disbursement Process for Procurement," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 26(6), pages 997-1014, June.
    16. Sarang Deo & Milind Sohoni, 2015. "Optimal Decentralization of Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV in Resource-Limited Settings," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 17(2), pages 191-207, May.
    17. Jessica H. McCoy & Hau L. Lee, 2014. "Using Fairness Models to Improve Equity in Health Delivery Fleet Management," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 23(6), pages 965-977, June.
    18. Jónas Oddur Jónasson & Sarang Deo & Jérémie Gallien, 2017. "Improving HIV Early Infant Diagnosis Supply Chains in Sub-Saharan Africa: Models and Application to Mozambique," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 65(6), pages 1479-1493, December.
    19. Terry A. Taylor & Wenqiang Xiao, 2014. "Subsidizing the Distribution Channel: Donor Funding to Improve the Availability of Malaria Drugs," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 60(10), pages 2461-2477, October.
    20. Harwin De Vries & Luk N. Van Wassenhove, 2020. "Do Optimization Models for Humanitarian Operations Need a Paradigm Shift?," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 29(1), pages 55-61, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Breugem, Thomas & Fan, Yu & Gernert, Andreas & Van Wassenhove, Luk N., 2023. "Equity in Health and Humanitarian Logistics : A Beneficiary Perspective," Discussion Paper 2023-003, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research.
    2. Maria Besiou & Alfonso J. Pedraza‐Martinez & Luk N. Van Wassenhove, 2021. "Humanitarian Operations and the UN Sustainable Development Goals," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(12), pages 4343-4355, December.
    3. Breugem, Thomas & Fan, Yu & Gernert, Andreas & Van Wassenhove, Luk N., 2023. "Equity in Health and Humanitarian Logistics : A Beneficiary Perspective," Other publications TiSEM ad4868a6-53b0-4cb4-acad-4, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. De Boeck, Kim & Decouttere, Catherine & Jónasson, Jónas Oddur & Vandaele, Nico, 2022. "Vaccine supply chains in resource-limited settings: Mitigating the impact of rainy season disruptions," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 301(1), pages 300-317.
    2. Jónas Oddur Jónasson & Kamalini Ramdas & Alp Sungu, 2022. "Social impact operations at the global base of the pyramid," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(12), pages 4364-4378, December.
    3. Nur Sunar & Jayashankar M. Swaminathan, 2022. "Socially relevant and inclusive operations management," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(12), pages 4379-4392, December.
    4. Sarang Deo & Sameer Mehta & Charles J. Corbett, 2022. "Optimal Scale‐Up of HIV Treatment Programs in Resource‐Limited Settings Under Supply Uncertainty," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(3), pages 883-905, March.
    5. Jérémie Gallien & Ngai‐Hang Z. Leung & Prashant Yadav, 2021. "Inventory Policies for Pharmaceutical Distribution in Zambia: Improving Availability and Access Equity," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(12), pages 4501-4521, December.
    6. Jónas Oddur Jónasson & Sarang Deo & Jérémie Gallien, 2017. "Improving HIV Early Infant Diagnosis Supply Chains in Sub-Saharan Africa: Models and Application to Mozambique," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 65(6), pages 1479-1493, December.
    7. Harwin de Vries & Joris van de Klundert & Albert P.M. Wagelmans, 2020. "The Roadside Healthcare Facility Location Problem A Managerial Network Design Challenge," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 29(5), pages 1165-1187, May.
    8. Priyank Arora & Wei Wei & Senay Solak, 2021. "Improving Outcomes in Child Care Subsidy Voucher Programs under Regional Asymmetries," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(12), pages 4435-4454, December.
    9. Erica L. Plambeck & Kamalini Ramdas, 2020. "Alleviating Poverty by Empowering Women Through Business Model Innovation: Manufacturing & Service Operations Management Insights and Opportunities," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 22(1), pages 123-134, January.
    10. Jon M. Stauffer & Manoj Vanajakumari & Subodha Kumar & Theresa Mangapora, 2022. "Achieving equitable food security: How can food bank mobile pantries fill this humanitarian need," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(4), pages 1802-1821, April.
    11. Mili Mehrotra & Karthik V. Natarajan, 2020. "Value of Combining Patient and Provider Incentives in Humanitarian Health Care Service Programs," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 29(3), pages 571-594, March.
    12. Harwin de Vries & Joris van de Klundert & Albert Wagelmans, 2021. "Toward Elimination of Infectious Diseases with Mobile Screening Teams: HAT in the DRC," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(10), pages 3408-3428, October.
    13. Johannes Jakubik & Stefan Feuerriegel, 2022. "Data‐driven allocation of development aid toward sustainable development goals: Evidence from HIV/AIDS," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(6), pages 2739-2756, June.
    14. Wei Zhao & Qianqian Ben Liu & Xitong Guo & Tianshi Wu & Subodha Kumar, 2022. "Quid pro quo in online medical consultation? Investigating the effects of small monetary gifts from patients," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(4), pages 1698-1718, April.
    15. Lee, Zu-Hsu & Deng, Shiming & Lin, Beixin & Yang, James G.S., 2010. "Decision model and analysis for investment interest expense deduction and allocation," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 200(1), pages 268-280, January.
    16. Turgay Ayer & Can Zhang & Anthony Bonifonte & Anne C. Spaulding & Jagpreet Chhatwal, 2019. "Prioritizing Hepatitis C Treatment in U.S. Prisons," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 67(3), pages 853-873, May.
    17. Amir Ardestani-Jaafari & Beste Kucukyazici, 2022. "Improving Patient Transfer Protocols for Regional Stroke Networks," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 68(9), pages 6610-6633, September.
    18. Chong Hyun Park & Gemma Berenguer, 2020. "Supply Constrained Location‐Distribution in Not‐for‐Profit Settings," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 29(11), pages 2461-2483, November.
    19. Zhou, Yanju & Che, Yuan, 2021. "Research on Government Logistics Subsidies for Poverty Alleviation with Non-uniform Distribution of Consumers," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    20. Paola Martin & Diwakar Gupta & Karthik V. Natarajan, 2020. "Vaccine Procurement Contracts for Developing Countries," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 29(11), pages 2601-2620, November.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bla:popmgt:v:30:y:2021:i:12:p:4522-4540. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1937-5956 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.