This is a retrospective cohol1 study designed to assess the effectiveness of COJ1U11l111ity based Familyrnplanning services in Eastern Showa Zone. The study was carried out in 30 PAs selected from fiverndistricts, where ten PAs were randomly selected from three areas: Community based distributionrn(CBO), Former community based distribution (FCBO) and Non-Community based distributionrn(NCBD) areas.rnA multistage sampling technique was used to select 310 women in the reproductive age groups( 1 5-49rnyears)for interview in each of the study areas. A questionnaire survey and focus group discussionsrnwere the methods of data collection. Focus group discussion was conducted among women aged 25-rn35 years and 45-55 years, as well as among community representatives selected fi'om the study areas.rnKnowledge about modern contraceptive methods was significantly higher in the CBO communities,rnpropOl1ion of women knowing one method being 89.1 % in CBO area compared to 76.6% in FCBDrnand 32.2% in NCBD. The most widely known MCM was pill followed by inj ectable hormone. Thernproportion of women who ever used MCM was significantly higher in CBO area. Ever use rate ofrnof MCM was 57.2% in CBO, 39.2% in FCBD, and 18.3% in NCBD communities; Where as 43.4%rn,22.7% , and 7.6% of the respective areas were current users, which was also a significant difference.rnIn all areas over 65% of those who never used MCM expressed intention to use in the future.rnAlthough, clients in the CBD area generally claim to be satisfied with the service, they complainedrnof being influenced by service provider. Most respondents approved family planning use. CBD arearnclients were found to use MCM relatively longer than NCBD area clients. Forty two percent ofCBO,rn33.3% of FCBO, and 35.3% ofNCBO area clients used their method at least for one year.rnviirnLack of adequate information in non-CBD area and need for more chi ldren in CBO area were thernmajor reasons for non-use offamily planning methods. Need for (more) children and side-effectsrnwere the major reasons mentioned for use di sco ntinuation in all of the three study areas.rnControlling for possib le confounders the presence of community based family planning service wasrnfou nd to be the most important ex planatory variable for increased current use of MCM. Therefore,rna quality community based FP service is highly recommended in NCBO areas and fu rther study isrnnecessary to look for fea sible mechanisms to sustain the service.