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Reproductive health research

74 Results Found

  • Practice Area

    Research

    There is an art to improving lives. And it’s in our science.
  • Expertise

    Reproductive health research

    FHI 360's clinical trials have evaluated the safety, effectiveness and acceptability of virtually every contraceptive method. For example, we are currently supporting the identification and early testing of innovative approaches to a longer-acting...
  • News

    Award will continue work to advance contraceptive technology innovation

    The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation granted a four-year award to expand and strengthen ongoing development and evaluation of new contraceptives, under the Contraceptive Technology Innovation (CTI) Initiative.
  • Published research

    Contraceptive use and the risk of sexually transmitted infection: Systematic review and current perspectives

    The authors reviewed the evidence on the association between contraceptive use and sexually transmitted infections and bacterial vaginosis published over the last 10 years. Few data are available from prospective studies. But, new evidence suggests a significantly increased risk of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection among depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) users. DMPA users should be counseled on this possible increased risk, and new research is warranted to better understand the association.
  • Published research

    Menstrual bleeding changes are NORMAL: Proposed counseling tool to address common reasons for non-use and discontinuation of contraception

    The authors reviewed commonly used family planning counseling, training and reference materials and found that menstrual bleeding changes were insufficiently addressed. The authors suggest using a new counseling mnemonic tool, “NORMAL,” that provides messages about changes associated with the use of hormonal contraception and the copper IUD.
  • Published research

    Exploring intersections of localised gender norms and unanticipated effects of a sexual and reproductive health intervention: Implications of respect and being a "good girl" in Zambezia Province, Mozambique

    The authors conducted a longitudinal, qualitative evaluation of girls ages 13 to 17 in Mozambique who had participated in a combined economic strengthening and sexual and reproductive health intervention. Thematic analysis found that intervention participants and other household and community members idealize girls who appear to be submissive, subservient and sexually chaste. Respondents believed the intervention reinforced these behaviors, although they were not generally aligned with the formal intervention content and were sometimes contrary to the intervention’s goals.
  • Published research

    A longitudinal assessment of cervical inflammation and immunity associated with HIV-1 infection, hormonal contraception and pregnancy

    The authors measured 10 biomarkers of cervical inflammation and immunity and compared biomarker levels longitudinally across HIV status, contraceptive and pregnancy groups. The authors found differing longitudinal patterns of cervical immunity, rates of regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and levels of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) across the groups. The results suggest that RANTES may be associated both with HIV acquisition risk and depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) use.
  • Published research

    Experiences with the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in Kenya: Qualitative interviews with users and their partners

    The findings suggest that understanding the motivations and experiences of early adopters of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) can inform the development of demand creation and communication strategies to influence uptake and continuation. Communication efforts that emphasize the positive attributes of the LNG-IUS could help promote wider use of the method, especially if new, more affordable products become available.
  • Published research

    Adolescents living with HIV in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia: Their reproductive health needs and experiences

    The authors conducted interviews with adolescents living with HIV in Zambia to assess the extent to which their reproductive health needs are being met. The results state that these adolescents need comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services. This includes information about contraceptive methods, healthy pregnancy and prevention of mother-to-child transmission, skills on HIV disclosure and condom negotiation to prevent horizontal transmission, and screening for sexual violence for both males and females.
  • Published research

    Effect of self-administration versus provider-administered injection of subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate on continuation rates in Malawi: A randomised controlled trial

    The authors found that women who self-administered subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) led to a more than 50 percent increase in pregnancy protection through 12 months compared with provider-administered injection. The findings demonstrate that self-injection can address the stubborn problem of early contraceptive discontinuation and that community health workers can safely train women to self-inject. Malawi plans to introduce DMPA-SC self-injection based on these positive findings.