EVIDENCE FROM STUDIES INDICATE THAT THE POOR DESIRE TO CONTROL THEIR FAMILY SIZE AND PREFER TO USE BIRTH CONTROL DEVICES (PILLS OR INTERUTERINE DEVICES) WHICH ARE NOT COITUS-CONNECTED AND ANTITHETICAL TO THEIR SEXUAL ATTITUDES AND TRADITIONS. CONTRARY TO THE BELIEF THAT THE POOR ARE LESS LIKELY TO UTILIZE EXISTING HEALTH FACILITIES OR TO TAKE PART IN PREVENTIVE HEALTH PROGRAMS, SEVERAL STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT WITH THE AVAILABILITY OF BOTH BIRTH CONTROL FACILITIES AND COITUS-INDEPENDENT DEVICES LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC GROUPS INCREASINGLY USE THESE SERVICES. AND, ALTHOUGH THE POPULATION IN SOME OF THESE STUDIES WERE VOLUNTEERS,--THE MOST RECEPTIVE INDIVIDUALS--THERE WAS A "DIFFUSION" EFFECT BEYOND THE ORIGINAL VOLUNTEER SAMPLE. OTHER STUDIES HAVE INDICATED THAT THE USE OF INDIGENOUS NONPROFESSIONALS TO SPREAD INFORMATION AND STIMULATE INTEREST IN THE SERVICE IS A KEY FACTOR IN SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS. ANOTHER IMPORTANT FACTOR IS THE AVAILABILITY OF BIRTH CONTROL SERVICES IN CONVENIENT LOCATIONS AND AT CONVENIENT TIMES FOR THE POOR. (JL)