As discussed in the case, the usefulness of family planning is dependent on the predictability of childhood mortality and the population’s access to health care, food, and other critical resources. Assuming that the uncertainty of whether children will survive is the only reason why family planning is not useful, access to healthcare services could contribute to a decrease in childhood mortality and therefore create greater demand for family planning in the population. I would take this a step further though, and suggest that changes in social, economic, and political structures, in addition to the introduction of health care, should also be considered when identifying the usefulness of family planning in this community.
Introduction of healthcare and utilization of family planning