This research project's main objective is to analyze the contradictions encountered between official and practical discourses ref erent to f amily planning in public heal th policies in João Pessoa, PB, Brasil ,using as its ref erence, PAISM (Program f or A ssi stance in Women' s Heal th). The pol icy was anal yzed ac cor ding to i ts of f icial in ten tions and i ts pr ac ti cal u se through interviews with people linked to PAISM. It was concluded that, this program is being developed under a utilitarian ideal, negating the individual citizen's right to regulate one's own fertility.
Health policy; Family planning; Women's health