reproductive health research paper

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The need for more research into reproductive health and disease

Natalie d mercuri.

1 Department of Physiology, University of Toronto Toronto, Canada

Brian J Cox

Associated data.

All data were obtained from public databases (PubMed/NCBI, NIH and CIHR). Source data files for Figure 1, Figure 2 and Table 2 are available (see figure and table captions for details).

Reproductive diseases have a significant impact on human health, especially on women’s health: endometriosis affects 10% of all reproductive-aged women but is often undiagnosed for many years, and preeclampsia claims over 70,000 maternal and 500,000 neonatal lives every year. Infertility rates are also rising. However, relatively few new treatments or diagnostics for reproductive diseases have emerged in recent decades. Here, based on analyses of PubMed, we report that the number of research articles published on non-reproductive organs is 4.5 times higher than the number published on reproductive organs. Moreover, for the two most-researched reproductive organs (breast and prostate), the focus is on non-reproductive diseases such as cancer. Further, analyses of grant databases maintained by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the National Institutes of Health in the United States show that the number of grants for research on non-reproductive organs is 6–7 times higher than the number for reproductive organs. Our results suggest that there are too few researchers working in the field of reproductive health and disease, and that funders, educators and the research community must take action to combat this longstanding disregard for reproductive science.

Introduction

It is difficult to overstate the impact of reproductive disease. Adverse pregnancy outcomes – which include preterm delivery, low birth weight, hypertensive disorders, and gestational diabetes –impact the acute and chronic health of the population ( Barker, 1997 ; Williams, 2011 ; Lewis et al., 2012 ). About 20% of all pregnancies require medical intervention ( Murray and Lopez, 1998 ), and in lower resource settings, pregnancy and delivery complications are a leading cause of maternal and neonatal death ( WHO, 2019 ).

In 1992, the Institute of Medicine in the United States published a report called Strengthening Research in Academic OB-GYN Departments that outlined areas of research with obstetrics and gynecology where improvements were needed, such as low-birth-weight infants, fertility complications, and pregnancy-induced hypertension ( Institute of Medicine, 1992 ). Three decades later, despite the essential nature and impact of the reproductive system, these issues are still major challenges in reproductive health.

Gender inequality and bias have been issues since the onset of biological and medical research. For example, including women as subjects in clinical research was not standard practice until after 1986 ( Liu and Mager, 2016 ). There has been progress in developing policies to increase the representation of women (as both subjects and researchers) and in providing education on gender inequality for all researchers, but women are still underrepresented in scientific and medical research ( Huang et al., 2020 ).

There are a variety of stigmas and taboos surrounding any topic relating to reproductive function. Menstruation is one function that has faced stigmatization that persists today ( Litman, 2018 ; Pickering, 2019 ), with women often feeling too embarrassed to talk about this natural process or even complete an essential task, such as purchasing menstrual products at a local store. Political power highly affects reproductive health care and rights over other biological processes. In many countries, ongoing political and legal battles directly affect access to safe reproductive health care, including contraception, safe abortion, and gender identity rights ( Pugh, 2019 ). There are parallels between the low level of research into reproductive diseases and the response to the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. The long delay in recognizing AIDS as a significant health issue, and then implementing research policies, perpetuated false ideas surrounding the lifestyles of those affected by the disease and created a barrier to expanding sexual education and seeking healthcare, likely costing many lives ( Francis, 2012 ). Despite great advances in AIDS research and treatment, including social awareness, public health stigma still lingers in society ( Turan et al., 2017 ). Similar increases in advocacy and public awareness are needed to overcome these barriers affecting reproductive health.

Reproductive pathologies are often challenging to diagnose and properly treat, which increases the risk of comorbidity development. Moreover, a long-standing lack of research into reproductive health and disease means that the acute and chronic healthcare burden caused by reproductive pathologies is likely to continue increasing. This lack of research likely results from historic and ongoing systemic biases against female-focused research, and from political and legal challenges to female reproductive health ( Coen-Sanchez et al., 2022 ). In this exploratory analysis we seek to understand the “research gap” between reproductive health and disease and other areas of medical research, and to suggest ways of closing this gap.

Comparing numbers of publications

To benchmark research on reproductive health and disease, we used the PubMed database to compare the number of articles published on seven reproductive organs and seven non-reproductive organs between 1966 and 2021 ( Table 1 ). While the reproductive organs are not essential to postnatal life, we posit that the placenta and the uterus are as essential to fetal survival in utero as the lungs and the heart are to postnatal survival after birth. Our analysis revealed that the average number of articles on non-reproductive organs was 4.5 times higher than the number on reproductive organs (and ranged between about 2 and 20 in pairwise comparisons). The reproductive organs with the most publications were the breast and prostate.

The research landscape can change over time and efforts to reduce gender bias in research might have had an impact on the volume of reproductive research, so we plotted the number of publications on the 14 organs as a function year between 1966 and 2021 ( Figure 1A ). Breast and prostate were the only reproductive organs to increase in publication at a rate similar to the kidney; the second least studied non-reproductive organ in our list. The intestine was the only non-reproductive organ to show similar publication rates to the other five reproductive organs. To investigate further, we compared disease-driven research versus research not related to disease.

( A ) The number of articles published on most of the non-reproductive organs (including the brain, heart, lung and liver) has increased more rapidly than the number of articles published on the reproductive organs. ( B ) Removing articles that contain the keyword cancer has relatively little effect on the number of articles for non-reproductive organs (with the exception of the lung), but has a significant impact on the number of articles for the two reproductive organs with the most articles: the breast and prostate. Data extracted from PubMed using organ-specific keyword searches for the period 1966–2021.

Figure 1—source data 1.

Comparing research related to disease and research not related to disease.

In the 1970s, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) initiated a war on cancer, and the breast and prostate are both associated with sex-specific cancers. We reassessed publication data with the added search parameter "NOT cancer" to eliminate cancer-based research ( Figure 1B ). We observed a reduction of approximately 20% for most non-reproductive organs; however, the reduction for publication on the breast and prostate was about 80%, suggesting that most research on these organs is driven by an interest in cancer research rather than reproductive health and disease ( Figure 1B ).

Then, for each organ, we plotted the number of publications related to disease on the vertical axis, and the number not related to disease on the horizontal axis, which revealed a high degree of variation among the organs ( Figure 2 ). For three non-reproductive organs (brain, heart, and liver) the number of publications not related to disease was almost three times as high as the number related to disease, and for two non-reproductive organs (kidney and lung) the numbers were similar. For the breast and prostate, on the other hand, the number of publications related to disease was three times as high as the number not related to disease. For the five remaining reproductive organs, and also for the intestine and pancreas, the number of publications not related to disease was about twice as high as the number related to disease (although the total number of publications for these seven organs was about an order of magnitude lower than the number for the other seven organs).

For each organ (colored circles) the vertical axis shows the number of publications for the period 1966–2021 related to disease, and the horizontal axis shows the number not related to disease: the area of the circle is proportional to the total number of publications. The straight blue line corresponds to equal numbers of disease-related and non-disease-related publications, so organs to the right of this line (notably non-reproductive organs such as the brain, heart and liver) tend to be the subject of more basic or non-disease-related research, whereas organs to the left of this line (notably reproductive organs such as the breast and prostate) tend to be the subject of disease-related research. The lung is the only non-reproductive organ in our sample to the left of the blue line.

Figure 2—source data 1.

Research funding.

Next we used databases belonging to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the NIH to investigate funding trends for the different organs. The 14 keywords (brain, heart, liver, lung, kidney, intestine, pancreas, breast, prostate, ovary, uterus, penis, testes, and placenta) were entered into each database, and we extracted funding data for the period between 2013 and 2018. These organs were chosen as keywords to investigate the funding related to a basic understanding of the biology of these organs. Although grants that relate to pregnancy or fertility may not be captured, these topics are much broader and would introduce subtopics outside of the reproductive scope, similar to using keywords such as metabolism or behaviour. Table 2 gives the number of projects for each keyword and the corresponding average funding amount per grant for the CIHR, and the same for the NIH. Our analysis found that the mean grant amounts for the CIHR and NIH are similar between different keyword research topics (CIHR: $ 370 000 ± $ 50 000; NIH: $ 481 500 ± $ 50 000). The similar funding amounts between different organs are encouraging and may result from standard funding guidelines for biomedical research. However, our analysis found that the average number of funded projects is much higher for non-reproductive organs compared to reproductive organs for both the CIHR (800 vs 115) and the NIH (31 000 vs 5 300).

Table 2—source data 1.

Our analysis suggests a bias against research into reproductive health and disease, and it is important that efforts are made to eliminate this bias so that research into reproductive medicine does not fall further behind. The higher levels of research observed for some reproductive organs (notably the breast and prostate) were driven by cancer-focused research, but this has not led to an increase in the level of non-disease-related research on these organs ( Figure 1B ). Factors such as Breast Cancer Awareness Month ( Jacobsen and Jacobsen, 2011 ) and screening programmes for prostate cancer ( Dickinson et al., 2016 ) likely led to the increase in publications about these two reproductive organs.

While our analysis is suggestive that many reproductive organs achieve a good balance of non-disease versus disease-related research, the paucity of research is highly problematic to the field. An important consideration is that a lack of non-disease-related research on reproductive organs may hinder progress in diagnosing and treating a wide range of pathologies (including preeclampsia, polycystic ovary syndrome, and endometriosis).

In a competitive funding system, publications are correlated to successful grants and dollar values awarded. Across research areas, we found that the mean grant dollar amounts per project are similar. However, the numbers of funded research projects on non-reproductive organs were higher than the numbers for reproductive organs by a factor of 6–7 (which is slightly larger than the discrepancy seen in publication rates). An important consideration is that the part of the NIH that supports reproductive research in the US, the National Institute of Child Health and Development, is one of the lowest-funded institutes at the NIH and does not have the word reproduction in its title. In Canada, the Human Development, Child and Youth Health Institute of CIHR is a funder of most pregnancy and reproductive biology grants, typically awarded through the Clinical Investigation – A panel, and it may be that the use of a clinical panel to fund this area of research inhibits non-diseased focused research. This panel is well-funded relative to other panels; however, some research areas (e.g., cardiovascular and neurological research) have more than one panel.

A growing political and societal emphasis is placed on disease-related research, such as cancer. This may arise from a view of basic research as ineffective or inefficient compared to applied research ( Lee, 2019 ). Perhaps this is best seen in our analysis by the high percentage of research publications on the prostate and breast that are due to cancer research, whereas most research on the other reproductive organs we studied was not disease-related. While the placenta and uterus are widely viewed as causal organs for reproductive complications that claim large numbers of maternal and neonatal lives, and treatments cost tens of billions of US dollars every year, there is relatively little disease-related research into these organs. The investigation of cancer biology within a reproductive organ can rely on knowledge of cancer in other organ systems. However, the low levels of research into reproductive organs relative to other organs means that there is much less foundational knowledge to rely on when seeking to develop treatments for diseases of these organs. Moreover, there are fewer researchers who are experienced on working with these organs.

There are several limitations to our approach. One important limitation is that the number of unfunded grant applications is not accessible, so we could not determine if the lower numbers of grants for research on reproductive health and disease were due to proportionally lower total application numbers, or to a bias against reproductive research. Funding bodies should conduct internal analyses to determine appropriate action. The use of keywords to distinguish between non-disease and disease-related research is a limitation, and the relatively low numbers of publications on reproductive organs can also present challenges when making comparisons. However, the differences we observe between research into reproductive and non-reproductive organs (as measured by numbers of publications and levels of funding) are large and are unlikely to result from missing search terms.

Conclusions

How can we address the research gap and enable the field of reproductive health and disease to catch up with other areas of research? Based on our analysis, we need to increase the number of researchers working on reproductive organs and related pathologies. Recent efforts by the NIH, such as the Human Placenta Project ( Guttmacher et al., 2014 ), indicate a recognition of the need to increase research capacity in reproductive sciences, and may lead to further increases in both interest and research capacity in the longer term.

New researchers may avoid the reproductive field due to social and political factors and the research gap (ie, the low levels of grant funding and publications), and this in turn may discourage students and trainees, which will make it even more difficult to increase the size of the research base. While continued advocacy, education, and political lobbying may help to overcome many of the social and political factors, closing the research gap will require other approaches.

To increase researchers and research output, we may learn lessons from the examples of breast and prostate cancer. In both cases, research increased dramatically from a historically low level. While public campaigns played a prominent role in these increases, the existence of a large pool of researchers and trainees already working on other types of cancers was probably more important (as it was these researchers, rather than those doing non-disease-related research on these organs, who did most of the work on breast and prostate cancer). However, this is unlikely to work for preeclampsia and other reproductive pathologies as there are no large pools of existing researchers available to switch the focus of their work.

Therefore, to increase research capacity, we should promote collaborations between researchers working on reproductive health and disease and those working in other areas of physiology and medicine, especially other areas with much higher research capacities. There are plenty of examples that show the benefit of such an integrated approach. For instance, female sex hormones protect against many aging diseases, such as cardiovascular and neurological diseases, leading to the prescription of hormone replacement therapies after menopause in some women ( Paciuc, 2020 ).

Links to immunology, cardiology and other systems can be used to increase research capacity. During pregnancy, there are dramatic changes in maternal physiology, including metabolism, the immune system, and cardio-pulmonary systems, and consequently, these are the same systems affected by reproductive pathologies. Preeclampsia predisposes the mother to a long-term cardiovascular risk of developing peripheral artery disease, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure ( Rana et al., 2019 ). Additionally, complications of the liver and kidney are associated with preeclampsia. Polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis are related to metabolism problems and the risk of cancer development. Children born from pregnancies affected by preeclampsia or fetal growth restriction are at a 2.5 times higher risk of developing hypertension and require anti-hypertensive medications as adults ( Ferreira et al., 2009 ; Fox et al., 2019 ).

The pathological interaction of reproductive with non-reproductive systems and organs should attract investigators from nephrology, hepatology and cardiovascular research, where the total number of researchers is 10–20 times as high as the number in reproductive health and disease. If just 1% of the researchers in the cardiovascular field were to refocus on pregnancy-related cardiovascular adaptation and pathologies, this would increase reproductive research by 10%.

Our neglect of the placenta and reproductive biology impedes other biomedical research areas. In cancer research, the methylation patterns of tumours look most like those found in the placenta, but why placenta methylation patterns are so unlike all other organs is not known ( Smith et al., 2017 ; Rousseaux et al., 2013 ). In regenerative medicine, the immune-modulating genes used by the placenta ( Szekeres-Bartho, 2002 ) are repurposed to generate universally transplantable stem cells and tissues ( Han et al., 2019 ). A poor understanding of reproductive biology is dangerous, considering emerging diseases that affect pregnancy and fetal development, such as the recent Zika virus outbreak ( Schuler-Faccini et al., 2016 ; Calvet et al., 2016 ). There are likely many other broad benefits to better understanding reproductive biology. The time to act is now, as waiting longer will not improve the situation.

Publication rates

Published research manuscripts were searched in NCBI’s PubMed database ( https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ ) between and including the years 1966 and 2021. Keywords for each search pertained to a specific organ or disease and were limited to the title/abstract of the manuscripts. The organs used for these analyses were the brain, heart, liver, lung, kidney, intestine, pancreas, breast, prostate, ovary, uterus, penis, testes, and placenta. We restricted the organ publication timelines to the years 1966–2021 and extracted the annual article count. The organ publication timeline was reconducted with the addition of the search parameter "NOT cancer".

Funding rates

Grant funding data was obtained from the CIHR funding database ( https://webapps.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/funding/Search?p_language=E&p_version=CIHR ) and the NIH reporter tool ( https://reporter.nih.gov ) by searching keywords in the title and abstracts/summary. Keywords used for these searches were brain, heart, liver, lung, kidney, intestine, pancreas, breast, prostate, ovary, uterus, penis, testes, and placenta. The years were restricted to 2013–2018. The total number of projects pertaining to each search term during this period was extracted, and the total amount of funding for those projects was averaged.

All graphs were produced using R (version 4.0.2) in R Studio (version 1.3.1073). R packages used were ggplot2, tidyverse, formattable, gridExtra, RColorBrewer, ggrepel.

Acknowledgements

We thank the University of Toronto and the Department of Physiology for providing the opportunity and supporting the completion of this review. We also thank the librarians who offered expert advice on keyword searches of databases.

Biographies

Natalie D Mercuri is in the Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

Brian J Cox is in the Department of Physiology and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

Funding Statement

The funders had no role in study design, data collection and interpretation, or the decision to submit the work for publication.

Contributor Information

Peter Rodgers, eLife United Kingdom .

Funding Information

This paper was supported by the following grants:

• University of Toronto to Natalie D Mercuri.
• Canada Research Chairs to Brian J Cox.

Additional information

No competing interests declared.

Formal analysis, Funding acquisition, Visualization, Methodology, Writing – original draft.

Conceptualization, Supervision, Writing – review and editing.

Additional files

Mdar checklist, data availability.

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Decision letter

In the interests of transparency, eLife publishes the most substantive revision requests and the accompanying author responses.

Decision letter after peer review:

Thank you for submitting the paper "A Poor Research Landscape Hinders the Progression of Knowledge and Treatment of Reproductive Diseases" for consideration by eLife . Your article has been reviewed by 3 peer reviewers, and the evaluation has been overseen by a Reviewing Editor and a Senior Editor. The following individuals involved in review of your submission have agreed to reveal their identity: Marleen van Gelder (Reviewer #1); James Roberts (Reviewer #3).

This article will need considerable revision to be suitable for publication as a Feature Article. In particular, you will need to address the concerns raised by the referees (see below), and also address a number of editorial points.

Reviewer #1

In this manuscript, Mercuri and Cox aimed to quantify the advancement of research in reproductive sciences relative to other medical disciplines. They compared two indicators of the research landscape: published research manuscripts and funded projects. The results showed lower publication rates for research on reproductive organs compared to selected non-reproductive organs, in particular concerning basic research. In addition, a relatively small number of grants was funded for projects on diseases with a reproductive focus. Based on these data, the authors concluded that the gap in knowledge and treatment of diseases of the reproductive organs is at least partially caused by a poor research landscape.

Although the conclusions of this paper are somewhat supported by the data, some aspects of the methods and reporting need to be clarified.

[Note: The following point is covered by the queries in the Word version I have sent you]

1) The manuscript, and in particular the Introduction and Discussion sections, could benefit from restructuring, in which adhering to a relevant reporting guideline may be helpful. For example, the authors provide relatively extensive background information on a number of important reproductive health disorders, but the level of detail does not contribute to setting the aim for the study. Moreover, the last paragraph of the introduction section (lines 92-100) already seems to include the conclusion of this paper.

[Note: Please address points b, d and f below. The other points are covered by the queries in the Word version I have sent you]

2) Concerns regarding the methods:

a) Citations in PubMed are known to be selective before 1966; consider using a fixed start date/year for the search.

b) The results strongly depend on the organs and diseases selected to be included in the 'reference group'. Provide a rationale for the selection of organs, which in the current analysis only seem to include major organs that are known to be well-studied, and not organs such as skin, eyes, intestine, pancreas, spleen or urinary bladder. The selection is vital for drawing robust conclusions from the data.

c) The approach to distinguish between basic and applied research is not validated.

d) The prevalence of diseases reported in Figure 4 is highly country-specific, in particular for tuberculosis. Therefore, this comparison may not be suitable for an international audience.

e) The most important limitation of the grant funding data was already mentioned: "the number and keywords of failed grant applications were not accessible" (lines 271-272). Therefore, it is hard to draw conclusions on failure of grant applications on reproductive health.

f) The rationale for the keywords used in the funding databases is missing and likely to yield selective results. Many reproductive health related projects may be missed, as keywords such as pregnancy and subfertility were not included. And also in this search, the selection of keywords for the reference group seems biased.

[Note: Please consider adding a table as suggested below; however, this is optional rather than essential.]

3) To emphasize the lack of knowledge in relation to disease burden, a table summarizing the prevalence, number of publications, and grants could summarize the results.

[Note: This point is covered by the queries in the Word version I have sent you]

4) A number of topics and statements in the Discussion section seem to be unrelated to the aim of this study. Examples include the female representation in STEM disciplines and the correlation between research publications and changes in policy (this was not specifically analyzed and would require additional analyses).

Reviewer #2

[Note: Please address the following point]

While the authors have attempted to be broad in their assessment of reproduction research, they seem to neglect two very broad areas of women's health for which there is little research: menstruation and menopause. Both are only mentioned in the discussion, and referenced with respect to promotion of the study of human physiology. Given the focus on lack of basic understanding of reproductive organs, it may be worth mentioning these, particularly in comparison to the depth of research on erectile dysfunction; this may also help to emphasize the fact that the lack of research in reproduction primarily affects women (though there are of course consequences for men's health, including the period in the womb).

Figure 1: the color code is not clear; Not sure how this could be better represented, but maybe listing the organs from high to low for both parts a and b in the legend? Or magnifying one part of each graph? In particular, the 80% loss of publications in breast/prostate when applying the search term "NOT cancer" does not come through; so perhaps a graph focusing on just these two organs showing the original search and the "NOT cancer" search results would be best?

Tables 2 and 3: It is not clear how this search was done; was the project title or abstract of grants searched for these key terms?

Discussion (including lines 259-260): I'm not sure that the conclusion drawn here is consistent with the data? The authors somewhat confusingly alternate between lack of research in reproduction as a whole vs. lack of basic research in this area.

[Note: Addressing the following point is optional, not essential.]

Another point of discussion that merits mention here is how the lack of interest/emphasis on reproduction research by funding agencies in turn affects the perception of "impact" of such research: i.e. both in terms of how low impact factors of reproduction journals are compared to journals in other fields, but also how the high-impact journals (Cell/Science/Nature) view/receive submissions from researchers in this area. Reviewer #3

The authors propose that research in reproductive areas lags behind that of other areas of biology. They support this with information from publications and funding sources.

This is a presentation of importance to investigators in all fields, funders and the general public. For reproductive investigators it provides objective data to support the lagging of reproductive research and to investigators in other areas of biology and the general public should be an eye opening demonstration of the huge gap between research in reproduction and other areas of biology. One would hope it would also provide a motivation to funders to modify the situation.

The authors remind us of the importance of reproduction on the survival of the species and provide extensive data on specific examples of the impact of reproductive diseases. They then use review of publications keyed to reproductive organs and non-reproductive organs both currently and over time. They point out that research on non-reproductive organs is 5 to 20 times more frequent than that on reproductive organs. [Note: Please address the point made in the following sentence] They should make it clearer that this is referring to specific organs and not a comparison sum of research on all organs of reproduction and not reproduction. They show that over time this discrepancy has increased with the exception of prostate, and breast research but even with those it is evident this is research related specifically to cancer and not normal organ function.

They make a slightly less compelling comparison on the portion of research devoted to basic understanding or clinical research which for nonreproductive organs is considerably more for basic science than in reproductive organs. [Note: Please address the point made in the following sentence] However, this is likely compromised by the relative minute number of either type of studies in reproduction.

They then make comparisons between the impact of specific reproductive topics and publications. They state that although preeclampsia and breast cancer have a similar prevalence the number of breast cancer publications are much higher. [Note: Please address the point made in the following sentence] To me the comparison of a disorder with high mortality (breast cancer) and far lower mortality (preeclampsia) does not provide a compelling argument and also is a little off target for comparing reproductive and nonreproductive research.

[Note: Please address the point made in the following paragraph]

They make a similar comparison of PCOS a reproductive disorder with other non-reproductive disorders of similar or lower prevalence, autism, tuberculosis, Crohn's Disease and Lupus with a much lower publication rate for PCOS. Again, this seems a bit of comparing apples and oranges.

They investigate the relative funding of research on these topics in the US and Canada and find that the size of individual grants for reproductive and non-reproductive research in both countries is similar but that the number of funded grants for specific non-reproductive organs is, that like that of publications, is about 2 to 20 times higher for nonreproductive organs.

The authors present their conclusions of the reason for the discrepancy. They point out gender bias which has been a target for improvement for several years and has been reduced but research is still not on an equal basis for men and women. However, the bias goes beyond gender since male reproductive research publications and funding also lags. They conclude that there is a general bias against reproductive research. [Note: Please consider mentioning the following point in your article] Interestingly they do not cite a major support for this conclusion, that the major NIH institute supporting reproductive research, the National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD)is one lowest funded institutes and does not have reproduction in its title.

They provide two general suggestions to increase reproductive research. The first is to increase funding and the second to involve other forms of research in studies supporting the role of reproductive disorders and physiology in non-reproductive studies. [Note: Please address the point made in the rest of this paragraph] They point out the relationship of preeclampsia to later life cardiovascular disease as an example of this. Unfortunately, they state this relationship as causal which has not been established. Nonetheless studying preeclampsia will likely provide information useful to cardiovascular health.

It is possible that linking publications and funding amounts to conclusions about bias against reproductive research is not precise. However, the magnitude of the differences strongly supports the authors' premise.

This interesting presentation makes and important point about the fact that reproductive research lags beyond other biological research. They do this through the use of publication and grant funding reviews. The differences are large in a direction that support the point they are making. There are some suggestions that I believe would improve the presentation.

[Note: Please address the following three points]

1. There should be a bit more discussion of the limitations of their approach.

2. In the comparisons of disorders of reproduction and non-reproduction they should indicate the limitations of comparing very different disorders.

3. Preeclampsia as a cause of later life CVD has not been established. They are related.

Author response

Reviewer #1 In this manuscript, Mercuri and Cox aimed to quantify the advancement of research in reproductive sciences relative to other medical disciplines. They compared two indicators of the research landscape: published research manuscripts and funded projects. The results showed lower publication rates for research on reproductive organs compared to selected non-reproductive organs, in particular concerning basic research. In addition, a relatively small number of grants was funded for projects on diseases with a reproductive focus. Based on these data, the authors concluded that the gap in knowledge and treatment of diseases of the reproductive organs is at least partially caused by a poor research landscape. Although the conclusions of this paper are somewhat supported by the data, some aspects of the methods and reporting need to be clarified. [Note: The following point is covered by the queries in the Word version I have sent you] 1) The manuscript, and in particular the Introduction and Discussion sections, could benefit from restructuring, in which adhering to a relevant reporting guideline may be helpful. For example, the authors provide relatively extensive background information on a number of important reproductive health disorders, but the level of detail does not contribute to setting the aim for the study. Moreover, the last paragraph of the introduction section (lines 92-100) already seems to include the conclusion of this paper.

This query has been responded to the in Word file

[Note: Please address points b, d and f below. The other points are covered by the queries in the Word version I have sent you] 2) Concerns regarding the methods: a) Citations in PubMed are known to be selective before 1966; consider using a fixed start date/year for the search.

This query has been responded to the in Word file. We have now used a fixed date of 1966 as the early timepoint and as indicated in the Word file.

Organs such as brain, heart and lungs are essential for life. The placenta is similarly essential. Other organs such as kidney and liver are also essential but not as immediate. We now include the intestine as a reference point.

Our preliminary analysis found that Skin has over 800,000 publication mentions, but it is not clear if this is the skin organ or a skin on something more work to eliminate background skin hits would be needed. Epidermis has 60,000 hits that are likely more specific, but we did find may abstracts and titles on the skin organ that do not use epidermis. Eyes are nearly 700,000 publications, intestine also over 700,000, pancreas has over 200,000 spleen is also over 200,000 urinary bladder has 130,000, which is similar to the placenta at just over 100,000

This preliminary search seems to still support our conclusion that placenta and reproductive organs are under-researched and only add a list of other organs that are better studied.

Comparisons of diseases has been removed from the manuscript.

We have removed disease focused terms form the search to ensure we capture organ focus research. The inclusion of pregnancy or subfertility would be misleading as it would include disciplines such as sociology and psychology. This is akin to searching for diabetes or metabolism to understand the research landscape on the pancreas.

We felt the separate tables made the information more digestible.

This query has been responded to the in Word file. We have extensively edited and redrafted the Discussion section.

Reviewer #2 [Note: Please address the following point] While the authors have attempted to be broad in their assessment of reproduction research, they seem to neglect two very broad areas of women's health for which there is little research: menstruation and menopause. Both are only mentioned in the discussion, and referenced with respect to promotion of the study of human physiology. Given the focus on lack of basic understanding of reproductive organs, it may be worth mentioning these, particularly in comparison to the depth of research on erectile dysfunction; this may also help to emphasize the fact that the lack of research in reproduction primarily affects women (though there are of course consequences for men's health, including the period in the womb). Figure 1: the color code is not clear; Not sure how this could be better represented, but maybe listing the organs from high to low for both parts a and b in the legend? Or magnifying one part of each graph? In particular, the 80% loss of publications in breast/prostate when applying the search term "NOT cancer" does not come through; so perhaps a graph focusing on just these two organs showing the original search and the "NOT cancer" search results would be best?

These corrections have been made to the in Word file.

We agree and have focused the discussion on the general low level of publications and low level of researchers in the field.

Another point of discussion that merits mention here is how the lack of interest/emphasis on reproduction research by funding agencies in turn affects the perception of "impact" of such research: i.e. both in terms of how low impact factors of reproduction journals are compared to journals in other fields, but also how the high-impact journals (Cell/Science/Nature) view/receive submissions from researchers in this area.

This is an issue many discipline struggle with. A low number of researchers in a field tends to create low levels of impact as measured through citations. Attempts to normalize impact factors and citation rates to the size of the field may help. While we agree with the reviewers comments we cannot address within our study.

Reviewer #3 The authors propose that research in reproductive areas lags behind that of other areas of biology. They support this with information from publications and funding sources. This is a presentation of importance to investigators in all fields, funders and the general public. For reproductive investigators it provides objective data to support the lagging of reproductive research and to investigators in other areas of biology and the general public should be an eye opening demonstration of the huge gap between research in reproduction and other areas of biology. One would hope it would also provide a motivation to funders to modify the situation. The authors remind us of the importance of reproduction on the survival of the species and provide extensive data on specific examples of the impact of reproductive diseases. They then use review of publications keyed to reproductive organs and non-reproductive organs both currently and over time. They point out that research on non-reproductive organs is 5 to 20 times more frequent than that on reproductive organs. [Note: Please address the point made in the following sentence] They should make it clearer that this is referring to specific organs and not a comparison sum of research on all organs of reproduction and not reproduction. They show that over time this discrepancy has increased with the exception of prostate, and breast research but even with those it is evident this is research related specifically to cancer and not normal organ function.

Thank you for this comment. These clarifications have been made to the in Word file.

We agree that the lower level make estimating the ratio of basic to applied very challenging. But there seems to be a tendency to bias to basic research. We made some changes to the results and discussion to acknowledge this challenge.

We agree and have remove the section discussing a comparison of disease prevalence and mortalities. We realize there was no benefit to comparison disease prevalence and severity.

They investigate the relative funding of research on these topics in the US and Canada and find that the size of individual grants for reproductive and non-reproductive research in both countries is similar but that the number of funded grants for specific non-reproductive organs is, that like that of publications, is about 2 to 20 times higher for nonreproductive organs. The authors present their conclusions of the reason for the discrepancy. They point out gender bias which has been a target for improvement for several years and has been reduced but research is still not on an equal basis for men and women. However, the bias goes beyond gender since male reproductive research publications and funding also lags. They conclude that there is a general bias against reproductive research. [Note: Please consider mentioning the following point in your article] Interestingly they do not cite a major support for this conclusion, that the major NIH institute supporting reproductive research, the National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD)is one lowest funded institutes and does not have reproduction in its title.

Thank you for this comment, we have added it!

Thank you for the comment, we modified our statement to an observed increased risk of cardiovascular disease, as the risk may be causal or associated as the reviewer stated.

It is possible that linking publications and funding amounts to conclusions about bias against reproductive research is not precise. However, the magnitude of the differences strongly supports the authors' premise. This interesting presentation makes and important point about the fact that reproductive research lags beyond other biological research. They do this through the use of publication and grant funding reviews. The differences are large in a direction that support the point they are making. There are some suggestions that I believe would improve the presentation. 1. There should be a bit more discussion of the limitations of their approach.

We have added more caveats about our approach and interpretation

The comparisons of diseases has been removed.

This is addressed as per the above comment.

Reproductive Health

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BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health

is a multiprofessional global medical journal by BMJ and FSRH, publishing research, reviews and comment on sexual and reproductive health & contraception.

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BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health is an international journal that promotes evidence-informed practice for contraception, abortion and all aspects of sexual and reproductive health. The journal publishes research papers, topical debates and commentaries to shape policy, improve patient-centred clinical care, and to set the stage for future areas of research. It is the official journal of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare .

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Journal articles

As a programme cosponsored by four UN agencies and the World Bank, HRP fills a unique and critical niche as a global authority for evidence on issues of human reproduction, sexual health and sexual rights. It is embedded in WHO which provides it with a close link to the authority that defines global norms and standards in the health sector and supports countries in their application, while the co-sponsorship and distinct funding model provides a greater degree of freedom from political influence in the pursuit of evidence.  ( External evaluation 2013-2017  )

Karna P, Sharma KA, Grossman A, Gupta M, Chatterjee T, Williams N, Prata N, Sorhaindo A, Läser L, Rehnström Loi U, Ganatra B, Chaudhary P. Landscape assessment of the availability of medical abortion medicines in India. Reprod Health. 2024 Jun 5;20(Suppl 1):193. doi: 10.1186/s12978-024-01774-5. PMID: 38840263.

Upadhyay MT, Fusire T, Loi UR, Sorhaindo A, Salahuddin M, Hossain MA, Tshomo T, Mulati E, Daisy L, Anggraweni DP, Gultom T, Indrawati F, Jenyfa M, Than MM, Bhattarai B, Moonasinghe L, Mathota C, Jitruknatee A, Cham C, Ganatra B, Raina N. Strengthening regional commitment to ensuring access to medical abortion medicines in WHO's South-East Asia region: report of a participatory assessment and workshop. Reprod Health. 2024 May 17;20(Suppl 1):191. doi: 10.1186/s12978-024-01791-4. PMID: 38760864; PMCID: PMC11102148.

Sorhaindo AM, Castle S, Flomen L, Lathrop E, Mohagheghpour S, Dabash R, Toedtli FK, Wilkins R, Läser L, Titulaer P, Nyamato E, Dakouo ML, Awadallah A, Shrestha R, Morales M, Rehnström Loi U. Adaptations to comprehensive abortion care during the COVID-19 pandemic: case studies of provision in Bolivia, Mali, Nepal, and the occupied Palestinian territory. Sex Reprod Health Matters. 2023 Dec;31(1):2249694. doi: 10.1080/26410397.2023.2249694. Epub 2023 Sep 25. PMID: 37747711; PMCID: PMC11003643.

Rehnström Loi U, Sorhaindo A, Embo M, Kabra R, Kiarie J, Ganatra B. Aligning health worker education and learning approaches with population health needs: WHO's Family Planning and Comprehensive Abortion Care Toolkit for the primary healthcare workforce. BMJ Glob Health. 2023 Sep;8(Suppl 4):e013256. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013256. PMID: 37666579; PMCID: PMC10481714.

Footman K, Goel K, Rehnström Loi U, Mirelman AJ, Govender V, Ganatra B. Inclusion of abortion-related care in national health benefit packages: results from a WHO global survey. BMJ Glob Health. 2023 Aug;8(Suppl 4):e012321. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012321. PMID: 37643800; PMCID: PMC10465905.

Chakravarty D, Mishtal J, Grimes L, Reeves K, Stifani B, Duffy D, Murphy M, Favier M, Horgan P, Chavkin W, Lavelanet A. Restrictive points of entry into abortion care in Ireland: a qualitative study of expectations and experiences with the service. Sex Reprod Health Matters. 2023 Dec;31(1):2215567. doi: 10.1080/26410397.2023.2215567. PMID: 37326515; PMCID: PMC10281397.

Macleod CI, Reuvers M, Reynolds JH, Lavelanet A, Delate R. Comparative situational analysis of comprehensive abortion care in four Southern African countries. Glob Public Health. 2023 Jan;18(1):2217442. doi: 10.1080/17441692.2023.2217442. PMID: 37272354.

Grossman A, Prata N, Williams N, Ganatra B, Lavelanet A, Läser L, Asmani C, Elamin H, Ouedraogo L, Rahman MM, Conneh-Duworko MJ, Tehoungue BZ, Chanza H, Phiri H, Bhattarai B, Dhakal NP, Ojo OA, Afolabi K, Kabuteni TJ, Hailu BG, Moses F, Dlamini-Nqeketo S, Zulu T, Rehnström Loi U. Correction: Availability of medical abortion medicines in eight countries: a descriptive analysis of key findings and opportunities. Reprod Health. 2023 Oct 26;20(1):160. doi: 10.1186/s12978-023-01691-z. Erratum for: Reprod Health. 2023 Apr 11;20(Suppl 1):58. PMID: 37884974; PMCID: PMC10604516.

Lal BK, Pandav RS, Hyder MKA, Kalyanwala S, Loi UR, Rajbhandari SV, Singh A, Kansal A. Policy change to improve access to safe abortion care in federal Nepal. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2024 Feb;164 Suppl 1:61-66. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.14729. Epub 2023 Mar 31. PMID: 37001867.

Lorraine Grimes, Joanna Mishtal, Karli Reeves, Dyuti Chakravarty, Bianca Stifani, Wendy Chavkin, Deirdre Duffy, Trish Horgan, Mary Favier, Mark Murphy, Antonella F. Lavelanet,  ‘Still travelling’: Access to abortion post-12 weeks gestation in Ireland, Women's Studies International Forum, Volume 98, 2023, 102709, ISSN 0277-5395, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2023.102709.

Ambast S, Atay H, Lavelanet A. A global review of penalties for abortion-related offences in 182 countries. BMJ Glob Health. 2023 Feb;8(3):e010405. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-010405. PMID: 36941005; PMCID: PMC10030558.

Mahipala PG, Afzal S, Uzma Q, Aabroo A, Hemachandra N, Footman K, Johnston HB, Ganatra B, Reza TE, Ahmad AM, Hamza HB, Umar M, Hanif K, Awais S, Sarfraz M, Thom E. An assessment of facility readiness for comprehensive abortion care in 12 districts of Pakistan using the WHO Service Availability and Readiness Assessment tool. Sex Reprod Health Matters. 2023 Dec;31(1):2178265. doi: 10.1080/26410397.2023.2178265. PMID: 36897212; PMCID: PMC10013260.

De Londras F. Corrigendum to 'The Impact of 'Conscientious Objection' on Abortion-Related Outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidenc e'. Health Policy. 2023 May;131:104757. doi: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2023.104757. Epub 2023 Mar 3. Erratum for: Health Policy. 2023 Mar;129:104716. PMID: 36872216.

Rehnström Loi U, Prata N, Grossman A, Lavelanet A, Williams N, Ganatra B. In-country availability of medical abortion medicines: a description of the framework and methodology of the WHO landscape assessments. Reprod Health. 2023 Jan 24;20(Suppl 1):20. doi: 10.1186/s12978-022-01530-7. PMID: 36694182; PMCID: PMC9875387.

de Londras F, Cleeve A, Rodriguez MI, Farrell A, Furgalska M, Lavelanet A. The impact of criminalisation on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence. BMJ Glob Health. 2022 Dec;7(12):e010409. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-010409. PMID: 36581332; PMCID: PMC9806079.

Sorhaindo A, Rehnstrom Loi U. Interventions to reduce stigma related to contraception and abortion: a scoping review. BMJ Open. 2022 Nov 17;12(11):e063870. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063870. PMID: 36396313; PMCID: PMC9677031.

Cassinath N, Titulaer P, Läser L, Lavelanet A, Ahsan S, Kwankam Toedtli F, Mawa S, Rehnstrom Loi U. Disruptions to the procurement of medical abortion medicines during COVID-19: a scoping review. BMJ Open. 2022 Oct 27;12(10):e064848. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064848. PMID: 36302580; PMCID: PMC9621154.

Sorhaindo AM, Lavelanet AF. Why does abortion stigma matter? A scoping review and hybrid analysis of qualitative evidence illustrating the role of stigma in the quality of abortion care. Soc Sci Med. 2022 Oct;311:115271. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115271. Epub 2022 Aug 24. PMID: 36152401; PMCID: PMC9577010.

de Londras F, Cleeve A, Rodriguez MI, Farrell A, Furgalska M, Lavelanet A. The impact of mandatory waiting periods on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence. BMC Public Health. 2022 Jun 21;22(1):1232. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-13620-z. PMID: 35725439; PMCID: PMC9210763.

Duffy D, Mishtal J, Grimes L, Murphy M, Reeves K, Chakravarty D, Chavkin W, Favier M, Horgan P, Stifani B, Lavelanet AF. Information flow as reproductive governance. Patient journey analysis of information barriers and facilitators to abortion care in the republic of Ireland. SSM Popul Health. 2022 May 19;19:101132. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101132. PMID: 35711728; PMCID: PMC9194449.

de Londras F, Cleeve A, Rodriguez MI, Lavelanet AF. The impact of 'grounds' on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence. BMC Public Health. 2022 May 10;22(1):936. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-13247-0. PMID: 35538457; PMCID: PMC9092771.

Mishtal J, Reeves K, Chakravarty D, Grimes L, Stifani B, Chavkin W, Duffy D, Favier M, Horgan P, Murphy M, Lavelanet AF. Abortion policy implementation in Ireland: Lessons from the community model of care. PLoS One. 2022 May 9;17(5):e0264494. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264494. PMID: 35533193; PMCID: PMC9084516.

Stifani BM, Mishtal J, Chavkin W, Reeves K, Grimes L, Chakravarty D, Duffy D, Murphy M, Horgan T, Favier M, Lavelanet A. Abortion policy implementation in Ireland: successes and challenges in the establishment of hospital-based services. SSM Qual Res Health. 2022 Dec;2:None. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmqr.2022.100090. PMID: 36531297; PMCID: PMC9748298.

de Londras F, Cleeve A, Rodriguez MI, Farrell A, Furgalska M, Lavelanet AF. The impact of provider restrictions on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence. Reprod Health. 2022 Apr 18;19(1):95. doi: 10.1186/s12978-022-01405-x. PMID: 35436888; PMCID: PMC9014563.

Bearak JM, Popinchalk A, Beavin C, Ganatra B, Moller AB, Tunçalp Ö, Alkema L. Country-specific estimates of unintended pregnancy and abortion incidence: a global comparative analysis of levels in 2015-2019. BMJ Glob Health. 2022 Mar;7(3):e007151. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-007151. PMID: 35332057; PMCID: PMC8943721.

Kouanda S, Qureshi Z. Quality of care for abortion-related complications: Insights from the WHO Multi-Country Survey on Abortion-related Morbidity across 11 African countries. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2022 Jan;156 Suppl 1:4-6. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.14079. Epub 2022 Jan 21. PMID: 35060620.

Burris S, Ghorashi AR, Cloud LF, Rebouché R, Skuster P, Lavelanet A. Identifying data for the empirical assessment of law (IDEAL): a realist approach to research gaps on the health effects of abortion law. BMJ Glob Health. 2021 Jun;6(6):e005120. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005120. PMID: 34117010; PMCID: PMC8202112.

Rossier C, Marchin A, Kim C, Ganatra B. Disclosure to social network members among abortion-seeking women in low- and middle-income countries with restrictive access: a systematic review. Reprod Health. 2021 Jun 7;18(1):114. doi: 10.1186/s12978-021-01165-0. PMID: 34098958; PMCID: PMC8186048.

Gill RK, Cleeve A, Lavelanet AF. Abortion hotlines around the world: a mixed-methods systematic and descriptive review. Sex Reprod Health Matters. 2021 Dec;29(1):1907027. doi: 10.1080/26410397.2021.1907027. PMID: 33910479; PMCID: PMC8097399.

Kim C, Nguyen AT, Berry-Bibee E, Ermias Y, Gaffield ME, Kapp N. Systemic hormonal contraception initiation after abortion: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Contraception. 2021 May;103(5):291-304. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2021.01.017. Epub 2021 Feb 3. PMID: 33548267; PMCID: PMC8040936.

Qureshi Z, Mehrtash H, Kouanda S, Griffin S, Filippi V, Govule P, Thwin SS, Bello FA, Gadama L, Msusa AT, Idi N, Goufodji S, Kim CR, Wolomby-Molondo JJ, Mugerwa KY, Bique C, Adanu R, Fawole B, Madjadoum T, Gülmezoglu AM, Ganatra B, Tunçalp Ö. Understanding abortion-related complications in health facilities: results from WHO multicountry survey on abortion (MCS-A) across 11 sub-Saharan African countries. BMJ Glob Health. 2021 Jan;6(1):e003702. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003702. PMID: 33514590; PMCID: PMC7845704. 

Tufa TH, Prager S, Lavelanet AF, Kim C. Drugs used to induce fetal demise prior to abortion: a systematic review. Contracept X. 2020 Nov 9;2:100046. doi: 10.1016/j.conx.2020.100046. PMID: 33294839; PMCID: PMC7689273.

Bearak J, Popinchalk A, Ganatra B, Moller AB, Tunçalp Ö, Beavin C, Kwok L, Alkema L. Unintended pregnancy and abortion by income, region, and the legal status of abortion: estimates from a comprehensive model for 1990-2019. Lancet Glob Health. 2020 Sep;8(9):e1152-e1161. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30315-6. Epub 2020 Jul 22. PMID: 32710833.

Abubeker FA, Lavelanet A, Rodriguez MI, Kim C. Medical termination for pregnancy in early first trimester (≤ 63 days) using combination of mifepristone and misoprostol or misoprostol alone: a systematic review. BMC Womens Health. 2020 Jul 7;20(1):142. doi: 10.1186/s12905-020-01003-8. PMID: 32635921; PMCID: PMC7339463.

Gambir K, Kim C, Necastro KA, Ganatra B, Ngo TD. Self-administered versus provider-administered medical abortion. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Mar 9;3(3):CD013181. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013181.pub2. PMID: 32150279; PMCID: PMC7062143.

Adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights

Lassi ZS, Rahim KA, Stavropoulos AM, Ryan LM, Tyagi J, Adewale B, Kurji J, Bhaumik S, Meherali S, Ali M. Use of contraceptives, empowerment and agency of adolescent girls and young women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Sex Reprod Health. 2024 Mar 13:bmjsrh-2023-202151. doi: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2023-202151. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38479786.

Javadi D, Sacks E, Brizuela V, Finlayson K, Crossland N, Langlois EV, Ziegler D, Chandra-Mouli V, Bonet M. Factors that influence the uptake of postnatal care among adolescent girls: a qualitative evidence synthesis. BMJ Glob Health. 2023 May;8(Suppl 2):e011560. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-011560. PMID: 37137533; PMCID: PMC10163540.

Barua A, Chandra-Mouli V, Mehta R, Shinde S, Garg P, Najam Q, Gogoi A, Ziauddin M, Kochar P, Kurup M, Patil N, Dhanu A. Lessons learned from conceptualising and operationalising the National Adolescent Health Programme or Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram's Learning Districts Initiative in six districts of India. Sex Reprod Health Matters. 2023 Dec;31(1):2283983. doi: 10.1080/26410397.2023.2283983. Epub 2024 Jan 26. PMID: 38275181; PMCID: PMC10823886.

Plesons M, De Meyer S, Amo-Adjei J, Casanova JV, Chipeta E, Jones N, Malata MP, Pincock K, Yadete W, Faugli B, Chandra-Mouli V. Protocol for a multi-country implementation research study to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of context-specific actions to train and support facilitators to deliver sexuality education to young people in out-of-school settings. Sex Reprod Health Matters. 2023 Dec;31(2):2204043. doi: 10.1080/26410397.2023.2204043. PMID: 37436364; PMCID: PMC10339764.

Gonsalves L, Kamuyango A, Chandra-Mouli V. Pharmacies: an important source of contraception for some adolescents, but not a panacea for all. Sex Reprod Health Matters. 2023 Dec;31(1):2221883. doi: 10.1080/26410397.2023.2221883. PMID: 37417799; PMCID: PMC10332186.

Maceira D, Oizerovich S, Perrotta G, de León RGP, Karolinski A, Suarez N, Espinola N, Caffe S, Chandra-Mouli V. Acceptability and continuation of use of the subdermal contraceptive implant among adolescents and young women in Argentina: a retrospective cohort study. Sex Reprod Health Matters. 2023 Dec;31(1):2189507. doi: 10.1080/26410397.2023.2189507. PMID: 37042700; PMCID: PMC10101666.

Ramaiya A, Chandra-Mouli V, Both R, Gottert A, Guglielmi S, Beckwith S, Li M, Blum RW. Assessing the health, social, educational and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents in low- and middle-income countries: a rapid review of the literature. Sex Reprod Health Matters. 2023 Dec;31(1):2187170. doi: 10.1080/26410397.2023.2187170. PMID: 36987980; PMCID: PMC10062253.

Adebayo, Emmanuel, Essiet, Abiodun Omowunmi, Plesons, Marina, Watson, Katherine Kat and Chandra-Mouli, Venkatraman. "Commitment, Concessions and Compromise. Experiences of building support for and addressing resistance to sexuality education from Nigeria" Open Health , vol. 3, no. 1, 2022, pp. 155-167. https://doi.org/10.1515/openhe-2022-0027

Akwara E, Worknesh K, Oljira L, Mengesha L, Asnake M, Sisay E, Demerew D, Plesons M, Shirka W, Hadush A, Chandra-Mouli V. ASRHR in Ethiopia: reviewing progress over the last 20 years and looking ahead to the next 10 years. Reprod Health. 2022 Jun 13;19(Suppl 1):123. doi: 10.1186/s12978-022-01434-6. Erratum in: Reprod Health. 2022 Aug 4;19(1):173. PMID: 35698143; PMCID: PMC9191398.

Sardinha L, García-Moreno C, Guthold R. Global Estimated Prevalence of Physical and/or Sexual Intimate Partner Violence Against Ever-Partnered Women, by Age, 2018. J Adolesc Health. 2022 Jun;70(6):846-847. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.12.019. PMID: 35597560.

Bastien S, Ferenchick E, Mbassi SM, Plesons M, Chandra-Mouli V. Improving health worker motivation and performance to deliver adolescent sexual and reproductive health services in the Democratic Republic of Congo: study design of implementation research to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of a package of interventions. Glob Health Action. 2022 Dec 31;15(1):2022280. doi: 10.1080/16549716.2021.2022280. PMID: 35049420; PMCID: PMC8786251.

Muthengi E, Olum R, Chandra-Mouli V. Context Matters-One Size Does Not Fit All When Designing Interventions to Prevent Child Marriage. J Adolesc Health. 2021 Dec;69(6S):S1-S3. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.09.018. PMID: 34809893.

Odimba SO, Squires F, Ferenchick E, Mbassi SM, Chick P, Plesons M, Chandra-Mouli V. A collaborative learning approach to improving health worker performance in adolescent sexual and reproductive health service provision: a descriptive feasibility study in six health zones in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Glob Health Action. 2021 Jan 1;14(1):1985228. doi: 10.1080/16549716.2021.1985228. PMID: 34720073; PMCID: PMC8567869.

Guthold R, Carvajal-Velez L, Adebayo E, Azzopardi P, Baltag V, Dastgiri S, Dua T, Fagan L, Ferguson BJ, Inchley JC, Mekuria ML, Moller AB, Servili C, Requejo J. The Importance of Mental Health Measurement to Improve Global Adolescent Health. J Adolesc Health. 2023 Jan;72(1S):S3-S6. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.03.030. Epub 2021 Jul 27. PMID: 36229397.

Plesons M, Travers E, Malhotra A, Finnie A, Maksud N, Chalasani S, Chandra-Mouli V. Updated research gaps on ending child marriage and supporting married girls for 2020-2030. Reprod Health. 2021 Jul 20;18(1):152. doi: 10.1186/s12978-021-01176-x. PMID: 34284797; PMCID: PMC8290547.

Newby H, Marsh AD, Moller AB, Adebayo E, Azzopardi PS, Carvajal L, Fagan L, Friedman HS, Ba MG, Hagell A, Morgan A, Saewyc E, Guthold R. A Scoping Review of Adolescent Health Indicators. J Adolesc Health. 2021 Sep;69(3):365-374. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.04.026. Epub 2021 Jul 13. PMID: 34272169; PMCID: PMC8405182.

Chandra-Mouli V, Plesons M. A Groundbreaking Systematic Review, but That Alone Is Not Enough to Change the Course of Programming on Child Marriage Prevention. J Adolesc Health. 2021 May;68(5):833-835. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.02.016. PMID: 33896548.

Chandra-Mouli V, Neal S, Moller AB. Adolescent sexual and reproductive health for all in sub-Saharan Africa: a spotlight on inequalities. Reprod Health. 2021 Jun 17;18(Suppl 1):118. doi: 10.1186/s12978-021-01145-4. PMID: 34134737; PMCID: PMC8208826.

Igras S, Plesons M, Chandra-Mouli V. Building evidence on what works (and what does not): practical guidance from the World Health Organization on post-project evaluation of adolescent sexual and reproductive health projects. Health Policy Plan. 2021 Jun 3;36(5):594-605. doi: 10.1093/heapol/czab028. PMID: 33778890; PMCID: PMC8173658.

Hennegan J, Winkler IT, Bobel C, Keiser D, Hampton J, Larsson G, Chandra-Mouli V, Plesons M, Mahon T. Menstrual health: a definition for policy, practice, and research. Sex Reprod Health Matters. 2021 Dec;29(1):1911618. doi: 10.1080/26410397.2021.1911618. PMID: 33910492; PMCID: PMC8098749.1

Vanderkruik R, Gonsalves L, Kapustianyk G, Allen T, Say L. Mental health of adolescents associated with sexual and reproductive outcomes: a systematic review. Bull World Health Organ. 2021 May 1;99(5):359-373K. doi: 10.2471/BLT.20.254144. Epub 2021 Mar 2. PMID: 33958824; PMCID: PMC8061667.

Plesons M, Patkar A, Babb J, Balapitiya A, Carson F, Caruso BA, Franco M, Hansen MM, Haver J, Jahangir A, Kabiru CW, Kisangala E, Phillips-Howard P, Sharma A, Sommer M, Chandra-Mouli V. The state of adolescent menstrual health in low- and middle-income countries and suggestions for future action and research. Reprod Health. 2021 Feb 8;18(1):31. doi: 10.1186/s12978-021-01082-2. PMID: 33557877; PMCID: PMC7869499.

Mwaisaka J, Gonsalves L, Thiongo M, Waithaka M, Sidha H, Alfred O, Mukiira C, Gichangi P. Young People's Experiences Using an On-Demand Mobile Health Sexual and Reproductive Health Text Message Intervention in Kenya: Qualitative Study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2021 Jan 15;9(1):e19109. doi: 10.2196/19109. PMID: 33448930; PMCID: PMC7846443.

Mwaisaka J, Gonsalves L, Thiongo M, Waithaka M, Sidha H, Agwanda A, Mukiira C, Gichangi P. Exploring contraception myths and misconceptions among young men and women in Kwale County, Kenya. BMC Public Health. 2020 Nov 11;20(1):1694. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-09849-1. PMID: 33176738; PMCID: PMC7661170.

Plesons M, Khanna A, Ziauddin M, Gogoi A, Chandra-Mouli V. Building an enabling environment and responding to resistance to sexuality education programmes: experience from Jharkhand, India. Reprod Health. 2020 Oct 30;17(1):168. doi: 10.1186/s12978-020-01003-9. PMID: 33126905; PMCID: PMC7597059.

Bash-Taqi R, Watson K, Akwara E, Adebayo E, Chandra-Mouli V. From commitment to implementation: lessons learnt from the first National Strategy for the Reduction of Teenage Pregnancy in Sierra Leone. Sex Reprod Health Matters. 2020 Dec;28(1):1818376. doi: 10.1080/26410397.2020.1818376. PMID: 33073741; PMCID: PMC7888041.

Neal S, Channon AA, Chandra-Mouli V, Madise N. Trends in adolescent first births in sub-Saharan Africa: a tale of increasing inequity? Int J Equity Health. 2020 Sep 4;19(1):151. doi: 10.1186/s12939-020-01251-y. PMID: 32887618; PMCID: PMC7487507.

Guerrero F, Lucar N, Garvich Claux M, Chiappe M, Perez-Lu J, Hindin MJ, Gonsalves L, Bayer AM. Developing an SMS text message intervention on sexual and reproductive health with adolescents and youth in Peru. Reprod Health. 2020 Jul 31;17(1):116. doi: 10.1186/s12978-020-00943-6. PMID: 32736561; PMCID: PMC7393715.

Chandra-Mouli V, Akwara E. Improving access to and use of contraception by adolescents: What progress has been made, what lessons have been learnt, and what are the implications for action? Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2020 Jul;66:107-118. doi: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2020.04.003. Epub 2020 Apr 24. PMID: 32527659; PMCID: PMC7438971.

Barua A, Watson K, Plesons M, Chandra-Mouli V, Sharma K. Adolescent health programming in India: a rapid review. Reprod Health. 2020 Jun 3;17(1):87. doi: 10.1186/s12978-020-00929-4. PMID: 32493471; PMCID: PMC7271491.

Gonsalves L, Wyss K, Gichangi P, Hilber AM. Pharmacists as youth-friendly service providers: documenting condom and emergency contraception dispensing in Kenya. Int J Public Health. 2020 May;65(4):487-496. doi: 10.1007/s00038-020-01348-9. Epub 2020 May 22. PMID: 32472373; PMCID: PMC7275003.

Desrosiers A, Betancourt T, Kergoat Y, Servilli C, Say L, Kobeissi L. A systematic review of sexual and reproductive health interventions for young people in humanitarian and lower-and-middle-income country settings. BMC Public Health. 2020 May 12;20(1):666. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-08818-y. PMID: 32398129; PMCID: PMC7216726.

Chandra-Mouli V, Akwara E, Engel D, Plessons M, Asnake M, Mehra S, Dick B, Ferguson J. Progress in adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights globally between 1990 and 2016: what progress has been made, what contributed to this, and what are the implications for the future? Sex Reprod Health Matters. 2020 Dec;28(1):1741495. doi: 10.1080/26410397.2020.1741495. PMID: 32254004; PMCID: PMC7888102.

Cervical cancer

Prudden HJ, Achilles SL, Schocken C, Broutet N, Canfell K, Akaba H, Basu P, Bhatla N, Chirenje ZM, Delany-Moretlwe S, Denny L, Gamage DG, Herrero R, Hutubessy R, Villa LL, Murillo R, Schiller JT, Stanley M, Temmerman M, Zhao F, Ogilvie G, Kaslow DC, Dull P, Gottlieb SL; Therapeutic HPV Vaccine PPC Expert Consultation Group*. Understanding the public health value and defining preferred product characteristics for therapeutic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines: World Health Organization consultations, October 2021-March 2022. Vaccine. 2022 Sep 29;40(41):5843-5855. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.08.020. Epub 2022 Aug 22. PMID: 36008233.

Nishimura H, Yeh PT, Oguntade H, Kennedy CE, Narasimhan M. HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening: a systematic review of values and preferences. BMJ Glob Health. 2021 May;6(5):e003743. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003743. PMID: 34011537; PMCID: PMC8137189.

Digital innovations

Tamrat T, Zhao Y, Schalet D, AlSalamah S, Pujari S, Say L. Exploring the Use and Implications of AI in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: Protocol for a Scoping Review. JMIR Res Protoc. 2024 Apr 9;13:e53888. doi: 10.2196/53888. PMID: 38593433; PMCID: PMC11040437.

Narasimhan M, Duvall S, Tamrat T. Expanding people-centred primary health care with digital adaptation kits for self-care interventions. Lancet Digit Health. 2023 Oct;5(10):e643-e645. doi: 10.1016/S2589-7500(23)00178-4. Epub 2023 Sep 17. PMID: 37726187.

Pretty F, Tamrat T, Ratanaprayul N, Barreix M, Kostanjsek NFI, Gaffield ML, Thompson J, Rhodes B, Jakob R, Mehl GL, Tunçalp Ö. Experiences in aligning WHO SMART guidelines to classification and terminology standards. BMJ Health Care Inform. 2023 Aug;30(1):e100691. doi: 10.1136/bmjhci-2022-100691. PMID: 37562854; PMCID: PMC10439311.

NAMAI Research Group. New Antenatal Model in Africa and India (NAMAI) study: implementation research to improve antenatal care using WHO recommendations. Health Res Policy Syst. 2023 Aug 10;21(1):82. doi: 10.1186/s12961-023-01014-5. PMID: 37563619; PMCID: PMC10416399.

Festo C, Vannevel V, Ali H, Tamrat T, Mollel GJ, Hlongwane T, Fahmida KA, Alland K, Barreix M, Mehrtash H, Silva R, Thwin SS, Mehl G, Labrique AB, Masanja H, Tunçalp Ӧ. Accuracy of a smartphone application for blood pressure estimation in Bangladesh, South Africa, and Tanzania. NPJ Digit Med. 2023 Apr 17;6(1):69. doi: 10.1038/s41746-023-00804-z. PMID: 37069209; PMCID: PMC10107587.

Tamrat T, Chandir S, Alland K, Pedrana A, Shah MT, Footitt C, Snyder J, Ratanaprayul N, Siddiqi DA, Nazneen N, Syah IF, Wong R, Lubell-Doughtie P, Utami AD, Anwar K, Ali H, Labrique AB, Say L, Shankar AH, Mehl GL. Digitalization of routine health information systems: Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan. Bull World Health Organ. 2022 Oct 1;100(10):590-600. doi: 10.2471/BLT.22.287816. Epub 2022 Aug 22. PMID: 36188022; PMCID: PMC9511663.

Tamrat T, Ratanaprayul N, Barreix M, Tunçalp Ö, Lowrance D, Thompson J, Rosenblum L, Kidula N, Chahar R, Gaffield ME, Festin M, Kiarie J, Taliesin B, Leitner C, Wong S, Wi T, Kipruto H, Adegboyega A, Muneene D, Say L, Mehl G. Transitioning to Digital Systems: The Role of World Health Organization's Digital Adaptation Kits in Operationalizing Recommendations and Interoperability Standards. Glob Health Sci Pract. 2022 Feb 28;10(1):e2100320. doi: 10.9745/GHSP-D-21-00320. PMID: 35294382; PMCID: PMC8885357.

Muliokela R, Uwayezu G, Tran Ngoc C, Barreix M, Tamrat T, Kashoka A, Chizuni C, Nyirenda M, Ratanaprayul N, Malumo S, Mutabazi V, Mehl G, Munyana E, Sayinzoga F, Tunçalp Ö. Integration of new digital antenatal care tools using the WHO SMART guideline approach: Experiences from Rwanda and Zambia. Digit Health. 2022 Feb 2;8:20552076221076256. doi: 10.1177/20552076221076256. PMID: 35127117; PMCID: PMC8814973.

Gichangi P, Gonsalves L, Mwaisaka J, Thiongo M, Habib N, Waithaka M, Tamrat T, Agwanda A, Sidha H, Temmerman M, Say L. Busting contraception myths and misconceptions among youth in Kwale County, Kenya: results of a digital health randomised control trial. BMJ Open. 2022 Jan 6;12(1):e047426. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047426. PMID: 34992099; PMCID: PMC8739061.

Vasudevan L, Glenton C, Henschke N, Maayan N, Eyers J, Fønhus MS, Tamrat T, Mehl GL, Lewin S. Birth and death notification via mobile devices: a mixed methods systematic review. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Jul 16;7(7):CD012909. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012909.pub2. PMID: 34271590; PMCID: PMC8785898.

Agarwal S, Glenton C, Tamrat T, Henschke N, Maayan N, Fønhus MS, Mehl GL, Lewin S. Decision-support tools via mobile devices to improve quality of care in primary healthcare settings. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Jul 27;7(7):CD012944. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012944.pub2. PMID: 34314020; PMCID: PMC8406991.

Mehl G, Tunçalp Ö, Ratanaprayul N, Tamrat T, Barreix M, Lowrance D, Bartolomeos K, Say L, Kostanjsek N, Jakob R, Grove J, Mariano B Jr, Swaminathan S. WHO SMART guidelines: optimising country-level use of guideline recommendations in the digital age. Lancet Digit Health. 2021 Apr;3(4):e213-e216. doi: 10.1016/S2589-7500(21)00038-8. Epub 2021 Feb 17. PMID: 33610488.

Agarwal S, Glenton C, Henschke N, Tamrat T, Bergman H, Fønhus MS, Mehl GL, Lewin S. Tracking health commodity inventory and notifying stock levels via mobile devices: a mixed methods systematic review. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Oct 28;10(10):CD012907. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012907.pub2. PMID: 33539585; PMCID: PMC8094928.

Palmer MJ, Henschke N, Villanueva G, Maayan N, Bergman H, Glenton C, Lewin S, Fønhus MS, Tamrat T, Mehl GL, Free C. Targeted client communication via mobile devices for improving sexual and reproductive health. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Jul 14;8(8):CD013680. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013680. PMID: 32779730; PMCID: PMC8409381.

Ames HM, Glenton C, Lewin S, Tamrat T, Akama E, Leon N. Clients' perceptions and experiences of targeted digital communication accessible via mobile devices for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health: a qualitative evidence synthesis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Oct 14;10(10):CD013447. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013447. PMID: 31608981; PMCID: PMC6791116.

Gonsalves L, Njeri WW, Schroeder M, Mwaisaka J, Gichangi P. Research and Implementation Lessons Learned From a Youth-Targeted Digital Health Randomized Controlled Trial (the ARMADILLO Study). JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2019 Sep 27;7(8):e13005. doi: 10.2196/13005. PMID: 31573939; PMCID: PMC6789427.

Agarwal S, LeFevre AE, Lee J, L'Engle K, Mehl G, Sinha C, Labrique A; WHO mHealth Technical Evidence Review Group. Guidelines for reporting of health interventions using mobile phones: mobile health (mHealth) evidence reporting and assessment (mERA) checklist. BMJ. 2016 Mar 17;352:i1174. doi: 10.1136/bmj.i1174. PMID: 26988021.

Family planning and contraception

Jahanfar S, Mortazavi J, Lapidow A, Cu C, Al Abosy J, Morris K, Becerra-Mateus JC, Andrenacci P, Badawy M, Steinfeldt M, Maurer O, Jiang B, Ali M. Assessing the impact of contraceptive use on mental health among women of reproductive age - a systematic review. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2024 May 30;24(1):396. doi: 10.1186/s12884-024-06587-9. PMID: 38816797; PMCID: PMC11137968.

Tran NT, Ali M, Azmat SK, Seuc A, Olaolorun FM, Awan MA, Morhason-Bello I, Thom EM, Martin J, Abubakar HD, Uzma Q, Kiarie J. Strengthening contraceptive counselling services to empower clients and meet their needs: protocol for a two-stage, multiphase complex intervention in Pakistan and Nigeria. BMJ Open. 2024 Jun 5;14(6):e081967. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081967. PMID: 38839392; PMCID: PMC11163613.

Jahanfar S, Maurer O, Lapidow A, Oberoi AR, Steinfeldt M, Ali M. A meta-analysis into the mediatory effects of family planning utilization on complications of pregnancy in women of reproductive age. PLoS One. 2024 Mar 18;19(3):e0294475. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294475. PMID: 38498424; PMCID: PMC10947693.

Lassi ZS, Rahim KA, Stavropoulos AM, et al Use of contraceptives, empowerment and agency of adolescent girls and young women: a systematic review and meta-analysis BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health Published Online First: 13 March 2024. 

Kabra R, Allagh KP, Kini BN, et al Scaling postpartum family planning services in the Democratic Republic of Congo: outcomes and lessons learned BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health Published Online First: 30 January 2024.

The role of social accountability in changing service users’ values, attitudes, and interactions with the health services: a pre-post study BMC Health Serv Res 23 , 957 (2023) - 6 September 2023

Aligning health worker education and learning approaches with population health needs: WHO’s Family Planning and Comprehensive Abortion Care Toolkit for the primary healthcare workforce BMJ Global Health  2023;8:e013256. 4 September 2023

The Methodological Approach to a Process Evaluation of a Community and Provider-Driven Social Accountability Intervention to Increase Contraceptive Uptake and Use International Journal of Qualitative Methods , 22- 25 August 2023

The impact of community and provider-driven social accountability interventions on contraceptive use: findings from a cohort study of new users in Ghana and Tanzania   Int J Equity Health 22 , 167 (2023) - 28 August 2023

Assessing the sustainability of two independent voucher-based family planning programs in Pakistan: a 24-months post-intervention evaluation   Contracept Reprod Med   8 , 43 (2023) - 22 August 2023

Implementation strategies, facilitators, and barriers to scaling up and sustaining post pregnancy family planning, a mixed-methods systematic review BMC Women's Health  23, 379 (2023). 19 July 2023

Pharmacies: an important source of contraception for some adolescents, but not a panacea for all Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters , 31:1. 7 July 2023

Implementation strategies to scale up self-administered depot medroxyprogesterone acetate subcutaneous injectable contraception: a scoping review Syst Rev 12 , 114 (2023) - 4 July 2023

Scaling-up post-pregnancy family planning services: experiences and challenges from Afghanistan BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health.  doi: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2023-201820. 23 June 2023

Scoping review on the use of South-South learning exchange to scale up evidence-based practices in family planning BMJ Global Health  2023;8:e011635. 14 June 2023 

Determining the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Availability, Use, and Readiness of Family Planning and Contraceptive Services at Selected Primary Health Care Facilities in Africa and Asia: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study   JMIR Res Protoc  2023;12:e43329 - 10 May 2023

Acceptability and continuation of use of the subdermal contraceptive implant among adolescents and young women in Argentina: a retrospective cohort study Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters , 31:1 - 12 April 2023

Scoping review protocol to map evidence on South-South learning exchange in family planning BMJ Open  2023;13:e061685. 24 March 2023

Mobile learning to support health workers in pharmacies in expanding access to over-the-counter contraceptives: The World Health Organization Academy Learning Programme Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters , 30:1, DOI:  10.1080/26410397.2022.2089084- 17 February 2023

Impact of community and provider-driven social accountability interventions on contraceptive uptake in Ghana and Tanzania Int J Equity Health   21 , 142 (2022). 28 September 2022

HIV prevention metrics: lessons to be learned from contraception Journal of the International AIDS Society  2022, 25 :e2595, 5 August 2022

WHO Special Issue: Contraceptive Values & Preferences Contraception,  Volume 111, Pages 1-70 (July 2022)

Potential of LARC to recover loss in satisfied demand for modern contraception after the COVID-19 pandemic: a case scenario analysis of Brazil and Mexico   Rev Panam Salud Publica . 2022;46:e41 - 3 June 2022

Improving access to quality family planning services in Nepal and Sri Lanka: insights from a South-South learning exchange BMJ Global Health,  2022;7:e008691. 13 May 2022

Country-specific estimates of unintended pregnancy and abortion incidence: a global comparative analysis of levels in 2015–2019 BMJ Global Health,  2022;7: e 007151, 24 March 2022

Busting contraception myths and misconceptions among youth in Kwale County, Kenya: results of a digital health randomised control trial   BMJ Open  2022; 12 :e047426. 6 January 2022

Contraceptive access, choices, and discontinuation among the urban users in Karachi, Pakistan: Findings from a comparative analysis of Pakistan demographic and health survey 2012-12 and 2017-18 J Pak Med Assoc,  Vol. 71, No. 11 (Suppl. 7), November 2021

Accessibility and uptake of modern contraceptive methods in Pakistan — a critical view on what works? J Pak Med Assoc,  Vol. 71, No. 11 (Suppl. 7), November 2021

Defining counselling in contraceptive information and services: outcomes from an expert think tank BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health  Published: 14 June 2021. doi: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2021-201132

Strengthening contraceptive counselling: gaps in knowledge and implementation research   BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health  Published: 30 April 2021. doi: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2021-201104

Systemic hormonal contraception initiation after abortion: A systematic review and meta-analysis Contraception  103 (2021) 291–304 Published: February 02, 2021

Rationale and design of a complex intervention measuring the impact and processes of social accountability applied to contraceptive programming: CaPSAI Project [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]   Gates Open Res  2020

Methods to measure effects of social accountability interventions in reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health programs: systematic review and critique J Health Popul Nutr   39,  13 (2020). Published: 7 December 2020

Monitoring the status of selected health related sustainable development goals: methods and projections to 2030 Global Health Action, 13:1 Published 30 Nov 2020

The use of segmented regression for evaluation of an interrupted time series study involving complex intervention: the CaPSAI project experience. Health Serv Outcomes Res Method  (2020) Published: 24 November 2020

Adaptation and validation of social accountability measures in the context of contraceptive services in Ghana and Tanzania International Journal for Equity in Health  , Article number: 183 (2020) Published: 15 October 2020 

Assessing Effectiveness of Multipurpose Voucher Scheme to Enhance Contraceptive Choices, Equity, and Child Immunization Coverage: Results of an Interventional Study from Pakistan J Multidiscip Healthc . 2020;13:1061-1074 Published 30 September 2020

Contraception and post abortion services: qualitative analysis of users’ perspectives and experiences following Zika epidemic in Honduras .   BMC Women's Health  20, 199 (2020) Published:  12 September 2020

Potentials and pitfalls of including pharmacies as youth-friendly contraception providers in low- and middle-income countries BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health  Published Online First: 11 August 2020. doi: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2020-200641

Improving access to and use of contraception by adolescents: What progress has been made, what lessons have been learnt, and what are the implications for action? Best Practice and Research: Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology  Volume 66, July 2020, Pages 107-118

Bridging the gap: advancing multipurpose prevention technologies from the lab into the hands of women Biology of Reproduction  ioaa085 Published: 27 May 2020

Pharmacists as youth-friendly service providers: documenting condom and emergency contraception dispensing in Kenya Int J Public Health  65, 487–496 (2020) Published: 22 May 2020

The impact of psychosocial interventions on condom and contraceptive use in LMICs: Metaanalysis of randomised controlled trials Global Public Health  DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2020.1744679. Published online: 30 Apr 2020

Contraception values and preferences: protocol and methods for a global systematic review Contraception , Volume 101, Issue 2, Pages 69-73 - February 2020

Effectiveness of post-partum family planning interventions on contraceptive use and method mix at 1 year after childbirth in Kinshasa, DR Congo (Yam Daabo): a single-blind, cluster-randomised controlled trial Lancet Glob Health  S2214-109X(19)30546-7 Published Online January 17, 2020

Female genital mutilation

Ndavi P, Balde MD, Milford C, Mochache V, Soumah AM, Esho T, Sall AO, Diallo A, Ahmed W, Stein K, Chesang J, Kimani S, Jebet J, Omwoha J, Munyao King'oo J, Ahmed MA, Diriye A, Pallitto C. The feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness and impact of implementing person-centered communication for prevention of female genital mutilation in antenatal care settings in Guinea, Kenya and Somalia. Glob Public Health. 2024 Jan;19(1):2369100. doi: 10.1080/17441692.2024.2369100. Epub 2024 Jul 10. PMID: 38987991.

Balde MD, Ndavi PM, Mochache V, Soumah AM, Esho T, King'oo JM, Kemboi J, Sall AO, Diallo A, Ahmed W, Stein K, Nosirov K, Thwin SS, Petzold M, Ahmed MA, Diriye A, Pallitto C. Cluster randomised trial of a health system strengthening approach applying person-centred communication for the prevention of female genital mutilation in Guinea, Kenya and Somalia. BMJ Open. 2024 Jul 4;14(7):e078771. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078771. PMID: 38964796; PMCID: PMC11227771.

Ahmed W, Gebretsadik E, Gbenou D, Hien Y, Dramou B, Ambelu H, Hussein H, Lavussa J, Mamo A, Cherono M, Kessi M, El Hennawy H, Gholbzouri K, Ouedraogo L, Chilanga A, Elamin H, Pallitto C. Lessons learnt in scaling up evidence-based comprehensive health sector responses addressing female genital mutilation in highly prevalent settings. BMJ Glob Health. 2023 Jun;8(6):e012270. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012270. PMID: 37308264; PMCID: PMC10277070.

Balde MD, Soumah AM, Diallo A, Sall AO, Mochache V, Ahmed W, Toure AO, Diallo R, Camara S, O'Neill S, Pallitto CC. Involving the health sector in the prevention and care of female genital mutilation: results from formative research in Guinea. Reprod Health. 2022 Jul 8;19(1):156. doi: 10.1186/s12978-022-01428-4. PMID: 35804372; PMCID: PMC9270755.

Tordrup D, Bishop C, Green N, Petzold M, Vallejo FR, Vogel JP, Pallitto C. Economic burden of female genital mutilation in 27 high-prevalence countries. BMJ Glob Health. 2022 Feb;7(2):e004512. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004512. PMID: 35105556; PMCID: PMC8744099.

Pallitto CC, Ahmed W. The role of the health sector in contributing to the abandonment of female genital mutilation. Med. 2021 May 14;2(5):485-489. doi: 10.1016/j.medj.2021.04.023. PMID: 35590230.

Balde MD, O'Neill S, Sall AO, Balde MB, Soumah AM, Diallo B, Pallitto CC. Attitudes of health care providers regarding female genital mutilation and its medicalization in Guinea. PLoS One. 2021 May 13;16(5):e0249998. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249998. PMID: 33983949; PMCID: PMC8118326.

Fertility care

Adhikary P, Mburu G, Kabra R, et al. Intersectional analysis of the experiences of women who fail to conceive in low and middle income neighbourhoods of Delhi, India: Findings from a qualitative study.   PLoS One . 2024;19(7):e0304029. Published 2024 Jul 3. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0304029

Mburu G, Kamuyango A, Kidula N, et al. Fulfilment of fertility desires for the attainment of Global Sustainable Development Goals.   BMJ Glob Health . 2023;8(4):e012322. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012322

Njagi P, Groot W, Arsenijevic J, Dyer S, Mburu G, Kiarie J. Financial costs of assisted reproductive technology for patients in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review.   Hum Reprod Open . 2023;2023(2):hoad007. Published 2023 Mar 1. doi:10.1093/hropen/hoad007

Cox CM, Thoma ME, Tchangalova N, et al. Infertility prevalence and the methods of estimation from 1990 to 2021: a systematic review and meta-analysis.   Hum Reprod Open . 2022;2022(4):hoac051. Published 2022 Nov 12. doi:10.1093/hropen/hoac051

Nabhan A, Salama M, Elsayed M, et al. Indicators of infertility and fertility care: a systematic scoping review.  Hum Reprod Open . 2022;2022(4):hoac047. Published 2022 Oct 13. doi:10.1093/hropen/hoac047

Adhikary P, Roy N, Mburu G, et al. Characteristics, experiences and actions taken by women to address delayed conception: A mixed-methods cross-sectional study protocol.   PLoS One . 2022;17(3):e0264777. Published 2022 Mar 11. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0264777

Björndahl L, Barratt CLR, Mortimer D, et al. Standards in semen examination: publishing reproducible and reliable data based on high-quality methodology.   Hum Reprod . 2022;37(11):2497-2502. doi:10.1093/humrep/deac189

Barratt CLR, Wang C, Baldi E, et al. What advances may the future bring to the diagnosis, treatment, and care of male sexual and reproductive health? .  Fertil Steril . 2022;117(2):258-267. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.12.013

Björndahl L, Kirkman Brown J; other Editorial Board Members of the WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen. The sixth edition of the WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen: ensuring quality and standardization in basic examination of human ejaculates.   Fertil Steril . 2022;117(2):246-251. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.12.012

Wang C, Mbizvo M, Festin MP, Björndahl L, Toskin I; other Editorial Board Members of the WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen. Evolution of the WHO "Semen" processing manual from the first (1980) to the sixth edition (2021).   Fertil Steril . 2022;117(2):237-245. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.11.037

Campbell MJ, Lotti F, Baldi E, et al. Distribution of semen examination results 2020 - A follow up of data collated for the WHO semen analysis manual 2010.   Andrology . 2021;9(3):817-822. doi:10.1111/andr.12983

Keiding N, Ali MM, Eriksson F, Matsaseng T, Toskin I, Kiarie J. T he Use of Time to Pregnancy for Estimating and Monitoring Human Fecundity From Demographic and Health Surveys.   Epidemiology . 2021;32(1):27-35. doi:10.1097/EDE.0000000000001296

Chiware TM, Vermeulen N, Blondeel K, et al. IVF and other ART in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic landscape analysis.   Hum Reprod Update . 2021;27(2):213-228. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmaa047

Connolly MP, Panda S, Mburu G, Matsaseng T, Kiarie J. Estimating the government public economic benefits attributed to investing in assisted reproductive technology: a South African case study.   Reprod Biomed Soc Online . 2020;12:14-21. Published 2020 Sep 4. doi:10.1016/j.rbms.2020.08.001

Davis, M. F., and R. Khosla. Infertility and Human Rights: A Jurisprudential Survey .  Columbia Journal of Gender and Law , vol. 40, no. 1, Sept. 2020, pp. 1-45, doi:10.7916/cjgl.v40i1.6847

Chemaitelly H, Majed A, Abu-Hijleh F, et al. Global epidemiology of  Neisseria gonorrhoeae  in infertile populations: systematic review, meta-analysis and metaregression.   Sex Transm Infect . 2021;97(2):157-169. doi:10.1136/sextrans-2020-054515

Human rights, gender equality and social determinants

Lohan M, Amin A, Marques M, Tomlinson M. Engaging men and boys in sexual and reproductive health and rights. BMJ. 2024 May 10;385:q1042. doi: 10.1136/bmj.q1042. PMID: 38729660.

Narasimhan M, Say L, Allotey P. Three decades of progress and setbacks since the first international conference on population and development. Bull World Health Organ. 2024 Apr 1;102(4):226-226A.

Ghebreyesus TA, Allotey P, Narasimhan M. Advancing the "sexual" in sexual and reproductive health and rights: a global health, gender equality and human rights imperative . Bull World Health Organ. 2024 Jan 1;102(1):77-78. 

Schaaf M, Lavelanet A, Codjia L, Nihlén Å, Rehnstrom Loi U. A narrative review of challenges related to healthcare worker rights, roles and responsibilities in the provision of sexual and reproductive services in health facilities. BMJ Glob Health. 2023 Nov;8(Suppl 4):e012421. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012421. PMID: 37918835; PMCID: PMC10626880.

Ferguson L, Narasimhan M, Gutierrez J, Jardell W, Gruskin S. Law, human rights and gender in practice: an analysis of lessons from implementation of self-care interventions for sexual and reproductive health. Sex Reprod Health Matters. 2021;29(3):2105284. doi: 10.1080/26410397.2022.2105284. PMID: 35975874; PMCID: PMC9387312.

Bohren MA, Vazquez Corona M, Odiase OJ, Wilson AN, Sudhinaraset M, Diamond-Smith N, Berryman J, Tunçalp Ö, Afulani PA. Strategies to reduce stigma and discrimination in sexual and reproductive healthcare settings: A mixed-methods systematic review. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2022 Jun 15;2(6):e0000582. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000582. PMID: 36962453; PMCID: PMC10021469.

Haddad Z, Williams KN, Lewis JJ, Prats EV, Adair-Rohani H. Expanding data is critical to assessing gendered impacts of household energy use. BMJ. 2021 Oct 14;375:n2273. doi: 10.1136/bmj.n2273. PMID: 34649862; PMCID: PMC8515214.

Schaaf M, Khosla R. Necessary but not sufficient: a scoping review of legal accountability for sexual and reproductive health in low-income and middle-income countries. BMJ Glob Health. 2021 Jul;6(7):e006033. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006033. PMID: 34321233; PMCID: PMC8319982.

Amin A, Remme M, Allotey P, Askew I. Gender equality by 2045: reimagining a healthier future for women and girls. BMJ. 2021 Jun 28;373:n1621. doi: 10.1136/bmj.n1621. PMID: 34183331; PMCID: PMC8237157.

Schaaf M, Kapilashrami A, George A, Amin A, Downe S, Boydell V, Samari G, Ruano AL, Nanda P, Khosla R. Unmasking power as foundational to research on sexual and reproductive health and rights. BMJ Glob Health. 2021 Apr;6(4):e005482. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005482. PMID: 33832951; PMCID: PMC8039258.

Narasimhan M, Logie CH, Moody K, Hopkins J, Montoya O, Hardon A. The role of self-care interventions on men's health-seeking behaviours to advance their sexual and reproductive health and rights. Health Res Policy Syst. 2021 Feb 17;19(1):23. doi: 10.1186/s12961-020-00655-0. PMID: 33596921; PMCID: PMC7888093.

Gruskin S, Jardell W, Ferguson L, Zacharias K, Khosla R. Integrating human rights into sexual and reproductive health research: moving beyond the rhetoric, what will it take to get us there? Sex Reprod Health Matters. 2021 Dec;29(1):1881206. doi: 10.1080/26410397.2021.1881206. PMID: 33595424; PMCID: PMC8011684.

Sacks E, Mehrtash H, Bohren M, Balde MD, Vogel JP, Adu-Bonsaffoh K, Portela A, Aderoba AK, Irinyenikan TA, Maung TM, Thwin SS, Mon NO, Soumah AM, Guure C, Diallo BA, Adeyanju AO, Maya E, Adanu R, Gülmezoglu AM, Tunçalp Ö. The first 2 h after birth: prevalence and factors associated with neonatal care practices from a multicountry, facility-based, observational study. Lancet Glob Health. 2021 Jan;9(1):e72-e80. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30422-8. Epub 2020 Nov 12. PMID: 33189189; PMCID: PMC7790760.

Ruane-McAteer E, Gillespie K, Amin A, Aventin Á, Robinson M, Hanratty J, Khosla R, Lohan M. Gender-transformative programming with men and boys to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights: a systematic review of intervention studies. BMJ Glob Health. 2020 Oct;5(10):e002997. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002997. PMID: 33051283; PMCID: PMC7554509.

How can gender transformative programmes with men advance women’s health and empowerment? ,  BMJ,  19 August 2020

Infertility and Human Rights: A Jurisprudential Survey ,  Columbia Journal of Gender and Law , 40(1), 1-45. Published July 31, 2020.

Sen G, Iyer A, Chattopadhyay S, Khosla R. When accountability meets power: realizing sexual and reproductive health and rights. Int J Equity Health. 2020 Jul 8;19(1):111. doi: 10.1186/s12939-020-01221-4. PMID: 32635915; PMCID: PMC7341588.

Zampas C, Amin A, O'Hanlon L, Bjerregaard A, Mehrtash H, Khosla R, Tunçalp Ӧ. Operationalizing a Human Rights-Based Approach to Address Mistreatment against Women during Childbirth. Health Hum Rights. 2020 Jun;22(1):251-264. PMID: 32669805; PMCID: PMC7348458.

Schaaf M, Boydell V, Sheff MC, Kay C, Torabi F, Khosla R. Accountability strategies for sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights in humanitarian settings: a scoping review. Confl Health. 2020 Apr 7;14:18. doi: 10.1186/s13031-020-00264-2. PMID: 32280369; PMCID: PMC7137319.

Maternal and perinatal health

Gialdini C, Chamillard M, Diaz V, Pasquale J, Thangaratinam S, Abalos E, Torloni MR, Betran AP. Evidence-based surgical procedures to optimize caesarean outcomes: an overview of systematic reviews. EClinicalMedicine. 2024 May 19;72:102632. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102632. PMID: 38812964; PMCID: PMC11134562.

Williams EV, Goranitis I, Oppong R, Perry SJ, Devall AJ, Martin JT, Mammoliti KM, Beeson LE, Sindhu KN, Galadanci H, Alwy Al-Beity F, Qureshi Z, Hofmeyr GJ, Moran N, Fawcus S, Mandondo S, Middleton L, Hemming K, Oladapo OT, Gallos ID, Coomarasamy A, Roberts TE. A cost-effectiveness analysis of early detection and bundled treatment of postpartum hemorrhage alongside the E-MOTIVE trial. Nat Med. 2024 Jun 6. doi: 10.1038/s41591-024-03069-5. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38844798.

WHO ACTION Trials Collaborators. The World Health Organization Antenatal CorTicosteroids for Improving Outcomes in preterm Newborns (ACTION-III) Trial: study protocol for a multi-country, multi-centre, double-blind, three-arm, placebo-controlled, individually randomized trial of antenatal corticosteroids for women at high probability of late preterm birth in hospitals in low- resource countries. Trials. 2024 Apr 12;25(1):258. doi: 10.1186/s13063-024-07941-0. PMID: 38609983; PMCID: PMC11010373.

Okwaraji YB, Krasevec J, Bradley E, Conkle J, Stevens GA, Gatica-Domínguez G, Ohuma EO, Coffey C, Estevez Fernandez DG, Blencowe H, Kimathi B, Moller AB, Lewin A, Hussain-Alkhateeb L, Dalmiya N, Lawn JE, Borghi E, Hayashi C. National, regional, and global estimates of low birthweight in 2020, with trends from 2000: a systematic analysis. Lancet. 2024 Mar 16;403(10431):1071-1080. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01198-4. Epub 2024 Feb 28. PMID: 38430921.

Whiting-Collins L, Serbanescu F, Moller AB, Binzen S, Monet JP, Cresswell JA, Brun M; World Health Organization’s MDSR Reporting and Monitoring Working Group. Maternal death surveillance and response system reports from 32 low-middle income countries, 2011-2020: What can we learn from the reports? PLOS Glob Public Health. 2024 Mar 5;4(3):e0002153. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002153. PMID: 38442110; PMCID: PMC10914274.

Allotey J, Chatterjee S, Kew T, Gaetano A, Stallings E, Fernández-García S, Yap M, Sheikh J, Lawson H, Coomar D, Dixit A, Zhou D, Balaji R, Littmoden M, King Y, Debenham L, Llavall AC, Ansari K, Sandhu G, Banjoko A, Walker K, O'Donoghue K, van Wely M, van Leeuwen E, Kostova E, Kunst H, Khalil A, Brizuela V, Broutet N, Kara E, Kim CR, Thorson A, Oladapo OT, Zamora J, Bonet M, Mofenson L, Thangaratinam S; PregCOV-19 Living Systematic Review Consortium. SARS-CoV-2 positivity in offspring and timing of mother-to-child transmission: living systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2022 Mar 16;376:e067696. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2021-067696. PMID: 35296519; PMCID: PMC8924705.

Ribeiro-do-Valle CC, Bonet M, Brizuela V, Abalos E, Baguiya A, Bellissimo-Rodrigues F, Budianu M, Puscasiu L, Knight M, Lissauer D, Dunlop C, Jacob ST, Shakoor S, Gadama L, Assarag B, Souza JP, Cecatti JG; WHO GLOSS research group. Aetiology and use of antibiotics in pregnancy-related infections: results of the WHO Global Maternal Sepsis Study (GLOSS), 1-week inception cohort. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob. 2024 Feb 24;23(1):21. doi: 10.1186/s12941-024-00681-8. PMID: 38402175; PMCID: PMC10894467.

Pingray V, Klein K, Alonso JP et al. Development of a core outcome set for maternal and perinatal health research and surveillance in light of emerging and ongoing epidemic threats [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. Gates Open Res 2024, 8:24 (https://doi.org/10.12688/gatesopenres.15136.1)

Bonet M, Babinska M, Buekens P, Goudar SS, Kampmann B, Knight M, Meaney-Delman D, Lamprianou S, Rivas FM, Stergachis A, Toscano CM, Bhatia J, Chamberlain S, Chaudhry U, Mills J, Serazin E, Short H, Steene A, Wahlen M, Oladapo OT. Maternal and perinatal health research during emerging and ongoing epidemic threats: a landscape analysis and expert consultation. BMJ Glob Health. 2024 Mar 7;9(3):e014393. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-014393. PMID: 38453249; PMCID: PMC10921500.

Whiting-Collins L, Serbanescu F, Moller AB, Binzen S, Monet JP, et al. (2024) Maternal death surveillance and response system reports from 32 low-middle income countries, 2011–2020: What can we learn from the reports?. PLOS Global Public Health 4(3): e0002153. 

Finlayson K, Sacks E, Brizuela V, et al Factors that influence the uptake of postnatal care from the perspective of fathers, partners and other family members: a qualitative evidence synthesis. BMJ Global Health 2023; 8 :e011086.

Javadi D, Sacks E, Brizuela V, et al Factors that influence the uptake of postnatal care among adolescent girls: a qualitative evidence synthesis. BMJ Global Health 2023; 8 :e011560.

Minckas N, Kharel R, Ryan-Coker M, et al Measuring experience of and satisfaction with newborn care: a scoping review of tools and measures. BMJ Global Health 2023; 8 :e011104.

Harvey CM, Smith H, Portela A, et al Stakeholder’s perspectives of postnatal discharge: a qualitative evidence synthesis . BMJ Global Health 2023; 8 :e011766.

Sacks E, Brizuela V, Javadi D, et al Immigrant women’s and families’ views and experiences of routine postnatal care: findings from a qualitative evidence synthesis BMJ Global Health 2024; 8 :e014075 

Wojcieszek AM, Bonet M, Portela A, et al WHO recommendations on maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience: strengthening the maternal and newborn care continuum BMJ Global Health 2023; 8 :e010992

Smith H, Wojcieszek AM, Gupta S, et al Integrating international policy standards in the implementation of postnatal care: a rapid review BMJ Global Health 2024; 8 :e014033

Incompleteness and misclassification of maternal death recording: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 23, 794 (2023). 15 November 2023

Lancet Series: Maternal health in the perinatal period and beyond The Lancet Global Health.  December 6, 2023

What do healthcare providers think of the quality of uterotonics? A mixed-methods systematic review BMJ Open  2023;13:e068442. 29 October 2023

Alternative magnesium sulphate regimens for women with pre‐eclampsia and eclampsia Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2023, Issue 10. Art. No.: CD007388. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007388.pub3. 10 October 2023

Measuring women’s experiences during antenatal care (ANC): scoping review of measurement tools Reprod Health   20 , 150 (2023) - 10 October 2023

The risk of perinatal mortality following short inter-pregnancy intervals—insights from 692 402 pregnancies in 113 Demographic and Health Surveys from 46 countries: a population-based analysis   Lancet Glob Health 2023; 11: e1544–52 - October 2023

Reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health intervention coverage in 70 low-income and middle-income countries, 2000-30: trends, projections, and inequities   Lancet Glob Health  2023 Oct;11(10):e1531-e1543 - 4 September 2023

Mistreatment of women during childbirth and postpartum depression: secondary analysis of WHO community survey across four countries BMJ Global Health 2023;8:e011705. 23 August 2023

New Antenatal Model in Africa and India (NAMAI) study: implementation research to improve antenatal care using WHO recommendations   Health Res Policy Sys  21, 82 (2023). 10 August 2023

The use of GRADE-CERQual in qualitative evidence synthesis: an evaluation of fidelity and reporting Health Res Policy Sys  21, 77 - 25 July 2023

Comparing observed occurrence of mistreatment during childbirth with women’s self-report: a validation study in Ghana, Guinea and Nigeria   BMJ Global Health 2023; 5 :e012122 - 21 July 2023

Strengthening antenatal care services for all: implementing imaging ultrasound before 24 weeks of pregnancy   BMJ Global Health  2023;8:e011170 - 31 May 2023

Self-monitoring of blood glucose levels among pregnant individuals with gestational diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis  Frontiers in Global Women’s Health , Volume 4, Sec. Maternal Health - 24 May 2023

Self-care interventions for preconception, antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care: a scoping review   BMJ Open  2023; 13 :e068713 - 10 May 2023

Measuring experience of and satisfaction with newborn care: a scoping review of tools and measures   BMJ Global Health  2023;8:e011104 - 9 May 2023

Measuring stillbirth and perinatal mortality rates through household surveys: a population-based analysis using an integrated approach to data quality assessment and adjustment with 157 surveys from 53 countries   Lancet Glob Health,  S2214-109X(23)00200-0- 8 May 2023

Randomized Trial of Early Detection and Treatment of Postpartum Hemorrhage   The NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL of MEDECINE,  DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2303966 - 9 May 2023

Theories for interventions to reduce physical and verbal abuse: A mixed methods review of the health and social care literature to inform future maternity care  PLOS Glob Public Health  3(4): e0001594.  24 April 2023

Accuracy of a smartphone application for blood pressure estimation in Bangladesh, South Africa, and Tanzania  npj Digit. Med.   6 , 69 (2023). 17 April 2023

Global research priorities related to the World Health Organization Labour Care Guide: results of a global consultation  Reprod Health   20 , 57 (2023) - 7 April 2023

From global recommendations to (in)action: A scoping review of the coverage of companion of choice for women during labour and birth   PLOS Glob Public Health 3(2): e0001476 - 1 February 2023

WHO recommendations on maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience: strengthening the maternal and newborn care continuum   BMJ Global Health  2023; 8 :e010992 - 30 January 2023

Feasibility and readiness to implement Robson classification to monitor caesarean sections in public hospitals in Myanmar: Formative research   PLOS Glob Public Health 3(1): e0001388 - 30 January 2023

A critical interpretive synthesis of power and mistreatment of women in maternity care PLOS Glob Public Health 3(1): e0000616 - 30 January 2023

Adverse maternal, fetal, and newborn outcomes among pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection: an individual participant data meta-analysis BMJ Global Health  2023;8: e 009495. 16 January 2023

Exploring women’s experiences during childbirth in health facilities during COVID-19 pandemic in occupied Palestinian territory: a cross-sectional community survey BMC Pregnancy Childbirth   22 , 957 (2022). 22 December 2022

Effect of dexamethasone on newborn survival at different administration-to-birth intervals: A secondary analysis of the WHO ACTION (Antenatal CorticosTeroids for Improving Outcomes in Preterm Newborn)-I trial eClinicalMedicine 2022 -  10174 - 14 November 2022

Using the WHO‑INTEGRATE evidence‑to‑decision framework to develop recommendations for induction of labour Health Res Policy Sys  20, 125 (2022). 7 November 2022

Issues related to pregnancy, pregnancy prevention and abortion in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: a WHO qualitative study protocol   BMJ Open  2022;12:e063317. 6 October 2022

Non-communicable diseases and maternal health: a scoping review BMC Pregnancy Childbirth  22, 787 (2022). 22 October 2022

A scoping review of the impact of organisational factors on providers and related interventions in LMICs: Implications for respectful maternity care PLOS Glob Public Health 2(10): e0001134 - 11 October 2022

Prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care: a systematic scoping review of clinical practice guidelines since 2011 BMC Med  20, 305 (2022), 20 September 2022

Antenatal dexamethasone for improving preterm newborn outcomes in low-resource countries: a cost-effectiveness analysis of the WHO ACTION-I trial Lancet Glob Health 2022; 10: e1523–33, 13 September 2022

Factors influencing appropriate use of interventions for management of women experiencing preterm birth: A mixed-methods systematic review and narrative synthesis PLoS Med 19(8): e1004074, 23 August 2022

Factors that influence uptake of routine postnatal care: Findings on women’s perspectives from a qualitative evidence synthesis   PLoS ONE 17(8): e0270264, 12 August 2022

Tocolytics for delaying preterm birth: a network meta‐analysis Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2022, Issue 8. Art. No.: CD014978, 10 August 2022

Cost-effectiveness of antenatal corticosteroids and tocolytic agents in the management of preterm birth: A systematic review eClinicalMedicine 2022;49: 101496, 3 June 2022

International virtual confidential reviews of infection-related maternal deaths and near-miss in 11 low- and middle-income countries – case report series and suggested actions BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth  2022 22:431, 23 May 2022

Rethinking trust in the context of mistreatment of women during childbirth: a neglected focus BMJ Global Health  2022;7:e009490. 20 May 2022

Quality and outcomes of maternal and perinatal care for 76,563 pregnancies reported in a nationwide network of Nigerian referral-level hospitals eClinicalMedicine 2022;47: 101411.  28 April 2022

Health workforce governance for compassionate and respectful care: a framework for research, policy and practice | BMJ Global Health   BMJ Global Health,  2022;7: e 008007, 31 March 2022

The portrayal and perceptions of cesarean section in Mexican media Facebook pages: a mixed-methods study Reprod Health  19,  49 (2022), 22 February 2022

Antenatal dexamethasone for late preterm birth: A multi-centre, two-arm, parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial ,  eClinicalMedicine , Volume 44,  2022, 101285, ISSN 2589-5370, 12 February 2022

Integration of new digital antenatal care tools using the WHO SMART guideline approach: Experiences from Rwanda and Zambia Digital health,  Volume 8: 1–5.  2 February 2022

Development of measures for assessing mistreatment of women during facility-based childbirth based on labour observations BMJ Global Health  2021; 5 :e004080, 6 August 2021

Women’s report of mistreatment during facility-based childbirth: validity and reliability of community survey measures BMJ Global Health  2021; 5 :e004822, 6 August 2021

Availability of facility resources and services and infection-related maternal outcomes in the WHO Global Maternal Sepsis Study: a cross-sectional study The Lancet Global Health, 14 July   2021

Methods for managing miscarriage: a network meta‐analysis Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2021, Issue 6. Art. No.: CD012602. Published 1 June 2021.

Self-management of iron and folic acid supplementation during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and postnatal periods: a systematic review BMJ Global Health  2021; 6 :e005531 Published: 14 May 2021

‘We always find things to learn from.’ Lessons from the implementation of the global maternal sepsis study on research capacity: a qualitative study BMC Health Services Research   volume 21 , Article number: 208 (2021) Published: 08 March 2021

Update to living systematic review on covid-19 in pregnancy BMJ  2021;372:n615 Published 10 March 2021

Implementing antenatal care recommendations, South Africa Bulletin of the World Health Organization  2021;99:220-227, Published: 21 January 2021

Women’s experiences of mistreatment during childbirth and their satisfaction with care: findings from a multi-country community-based study in four countries  BMJ Global Health  2021;5: e 003688 Published: 12 January 2021

Inclusion of pregnant women in COVID-19 treatment trials: a review and global call to action The Lancet Global Health  Published: December 16, 2020

Labour companionship and women’s experiences of mistreatment during childbirth: results from a multi-country community-based survey BMJ Global Health 2020;5:e003564 Published: 23 November 2020

Measuring experiences of facility-based care for pregnant women and newborns: a scoping review J Global Health  2020;5:e003368. Published: November 20, 2020.

The first 2 h after birth: prevalence and factors associated with neonatal care practices from a multicountry, facility-based, observational study   Lancet Glob Health  2021; 9: e72–80 Published: November 20, 2020.

Building a Digital Tool for the Adoption of the World Health Organization’s Antenatal Care Recommendations: Methodological Intersection of Evidence, Clinical Logic, and Digital Technology J Med Internet Res 2020;22(10):e16355 Published 1 October 2020

Measurement of maternal functioning during pregnancy and postpartum: findings from the cross-sectional WHO pilot study in Jamaica, Kenya, and Malawi BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 20, 518 (2020) Published 07 September 2020

Clinical manifestations, risk factors, and maternal and perinatal outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 in pregnancy: living systematic review and meta-analysis BMJ  2020;370:m3320 Published 1 September 2020

Optimal Intrapartum Care Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology  Volume 67, Pages I1-I2, 1-142 (August 2020)

Quality of medicines for life-threatening pregnancy complications in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review PLoS ONE  15(7): e0236060. Published: July 10, 2020

WHO recommendations on antenatal nutrition: an update on multiple micronutrient supplements BMJ Global Health Journal , July 2020

Development of the WHO Antenatal Care Recommendations Adaptation Toolkit: a standardised approach for countries Health Res Policy Sys  18, 70 (2020) Published 22 June 2020

Implementation of the new WHO antenatal care model for a positive pregnancy experience: a monitoring framework BMJ Global Health  2020;5:e002605 - 21 June 2020

Operationalizing a Human Rights-Based Approach to Address Mistreatment against Women during Childbirth Health and Human Rights Journal  June 2020

Strategies for optimising antenatal corticosteroid administration for women with anticipated preterm birth Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews  2020, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD013633. Version published: 26 May 2020

Early evaluation of the ‘STOP SEPSIS!’ WHO Global Maternal Sepsis Awareness Campaign implemented for healthcare providers in 46 low, middle and high-income countries BMJ Open  2020; 10 :e036338 Online issue publication May 21, 2020

Frequency and management of maternal infection in health facilities in 52 countries (GLOSS): a 1-week inception cohort study Lancet Global Health  2020-05-01, Volume 8, Issue 5, Pages e661-e671

What matters to women in the postnatal period: A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies PLoS ONE 15(4): e0231415 Published: April 22, 2020

A qualitative study on acceptability of the mistreatment of women during childbirth in Myanmar Reproductive Health  volume 17, Article number: 56 (2020) Published: 20 April 2020

Would you like to participate in this trial? The practice of informed consent in intrapartum research in the last 30 years PLoS ONE  15(1):e0228063 Published: January 24, 2020

Research capacity strengthening

Oliveira-Ciabati L, Thorson A, Brizuela V. Scientific production in sexual and reproductive health and rights research according to gender and affiliation: An analysis of publications from 1972 to 2021. PLoS One. 2024 Jun 26;19(6):e0304659. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304659. PMID: 38923959; PMCID: PMC11207172.

Rachael Sorcher, Malachi Ochienga Arunda.  Key considerations for research into how climate change affects sexual and reproductive health and rights. The Lancet Planetary Health, Volume 8, Issue 6, E347-E348, June 2024.

Khisa AM, Wao H, Brizuela V, Compaoré R, Baguiya A, López Gómez A, Bonet M, Kouanda S, Thorson A, Gitau E. Embedding research capacity strengthening in multi-country studies in low-and middle-income countries: learnings from sexual and reproductive health research. Glob Health Action. 2024 Dec 31;17(1):2338634. doi: 10.1080/16549716.2024.2338634. Epub 2024 Apr 12. PMID: 38607331; PMCID: PMC11018088.

Garry Aslanyan, Kabir Sheikh, Marta Feletto, Pascal Launois, Mahnaz Vahedi, Vanessa Brizuela, Anna Thorson, Sara Begg, Susie Crossman, Imelda Bates - The process of developing a joint theory of change across three global entities: can this help to make their efforts to strengthen capacity for implementation research more effective? : BMJ Public Health 2024;2:e000029.

Brizuela V, Chebet JJ, Thorson A. Supporting early-career women researchers: lessons from a global mentorship programme. Glob Health Action. 2023 Dec 31;16(1):2162228. doi: 10.1080/16549716.2022.2162228. PMID: 36705071; PMCID: PMC9888473.

Asim M, Gatheru PM, Chebet JJ, Shah MG, Thorson A, Brizuela V. Support, networks, and relationships: Findings from a mixed-methods evaluation of a mentorship programme for early career women researchers in sexual and reproductive health and rights. PLoS One. 2023 Dec 19;18(12):e0295577. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295577. PMID: 38113215; PMCID: PMC10729955.

Perrotta C, Downey V, Elabbasy D, Ingram C, Lo C, Naseer A, Thorson A, Brizuela V. Remote training for strengthening capacity in sexual and reproductive health and rights research: a systematic review. BMC Public Health. 2023 Oct 10;23(1):1964. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-16851-w. PMID: 37817136; PMCID: PMC10566165.

Compaoré R, Brizuela V, Khisa AM, Gómez AL, Baguiya A, Bonet M, Thorson A, Gitau E, Kouanda S. 'We always find things to learn from.' Lessons from the implementation of the global maternal sepsis study on research capacity: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2021 Mar 8;21(1):208. doi: 10.1186/s12913-021-06195-9. PMID: 33685446; PMCID: PMC7938552.

Brizuela V, Kapilashrami A, Bonet M, Khosla R, Kobeissi L, Say L, Thorson A. Sexual and reproductive health and rights of migrants: strengthening regional research capacity. Bull World Health Organ. 2021 May 1;99(5):402-404. doi: 10.2471/BLT.20.270447. Epub 2021 Mar 10. PMID: 33958830; PMCID: PMC8061669.

Thorson A, Aslanyan G, Brizuela V, Perez F, Gómez Ponce de León R, Reeder JC, Serruya SJ, Espinal M, Askew I. Research and research capacity strengthening in the context of an emerging epidemic: Zika virus in Latin America. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2020 Jan;148 Suppl 2:1-3. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.13040. PMID: 31975399.

Adanu R, Bahamondes L, Brizuela V, Gitau E, Kouanda S, Lumbiganon P, Nguyen TTH, Saleem S, Thorson A, Torpey K. Strengthening research capacity through regional partners: the HRP Alliance at the World Health Organization. Reprod Health. 2020 Aug 26;17(1):131. doi: 10.1186/s12978-020-00965-0. PMID: 32847605; PMCID: PMC7448306.

Research methods and protocols

Lewin S, Langlois EV, Tunçalp Ö, Portela A. Assessing unConventional Evidence (ACE) tool: development and content of a tool to assess the strengths and limitations of 'unconventional' source materials. Health Res Policy Syst. 2024 Jan 2;22(1):2. doi: 10.1186/s12961-023-01080-9. PMID: 38167048; PMCID: PMC10759469.

Wainwright M, Zahroh RI, Tunçalp Ö, Booth A, Bohren MA, Noyes J, Cheng W, Munthe-Kaas H, Lewin S. The use of GRADE-CERQual in qualitative evidence synthesis: an evaluation of fidelity and reporting. Health Res Policy Syst. 2023 Jul 25;21(1):77. doi: 10.1186/s12961-023-00999-3. PMID: 37491226; PMCID: PMC10369711.

Cordero JP, Mochache V, Boydell V, Addah MA, McMullen H, Monyo A, Mrema S, Nai D, Shamba D, Steyn PS. Research and implementation interactions in a social accountability study: utilizing guidance for conducting process evaluations of complex interventions. Int J Equity Health. 2022 Nov 3;21(Suppl 1):153. doi: 10.1186/s12939-022-01718-0. PMID: 36329485; PMCID: PMC9632007.

Elliott J, Lawrence R, Minx JC, Oladapo OT, Ravaud P, Tendal Jeppesen B, Thomas J, Turner T, Vandvik PO, Grimshaw JM. Decision makers need constantly updated evidence synthesis. Nature. 2021 Dec;600(7889):383-385. doi: 10.1038/d41586-021-03690-1. PMID: 34912079.

Diaz T, Strong KL, Cao B, Guthold R, Moran AC, Moller AB, Requejo J, Sadana R, Thiyagarajan JA, Adebayo E, Akwara E, Amouzou A, Aponte Varon JJ, Azzopardi PS, Boschi-Pinto C, Carvajal L, Chandra-Mouli V, Crofts S, Dastgiri S, Dery JS, Elnakib S, Fagan L, Jane Ferguson B, Fitzner J, Friedman HS, Hagell A, Jongstra E, Kann L, Chatterji S, English M, Glaziou P, Hanson C, Hosseinpoor AR, Marsh A, Morgan AP, Munos MK, Noor A, Pavlin BI, Pereira R, Porth TA, Schellenberg J, Siddique R, You D, Vaz LME, Banerjee A. A call for standardised age-disaggregated health data. Lancet Healthy Longev. 2021 Jul;2(7):e436-e443. doi: 10.1016/S2666-7568(21)00115-X. Erratum in: Lancet Healthy Longev. 2021 Aug;2(8):e458. PMID: 34240065; PMCID: PMC8245325.

Self-care interventions

Narasimhan, M., Hargreaves, J.R., Logie, C.H.  et al.   Self-care interventions for women’s health and well-being.   Nat Med (2024) .

Manjulaa Narasimhan, Susan Duvall, Tigest Tamrat,  Expanding people-centred primary health care with digital adaptation kits for self-care interventions ,  The Lancet Digital Health , Volume 5, Issue 10, 2023.

Narasimhan M, Logie CH, Hargreaves J, et al . Self-care interventions for advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights – implementation considerations . Journal of Global Health Reports . 2023;7:e2023034.

Lianne Gonsalves, Asantesana Kamuyango & Venkatraman Chandra-Mouli (2023) Pharmacies: an important source of contraception for some adolescents, but not a panacea for all , Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters , 31:1.

Yeh Ping Teresa, Kennedy Caitlin Elizabeth, Rhee Dong Keun, Zera Chloe, Tunçalp Özge, Lucido Briana, Gomez Ponce de Leon Rodolfo, Narasimhan Manjulaa,  Self-monitoring of blood glucose levels among pregnant individuals with gestational diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis ,  Frontiers in Global Women’s Health , Volume 4, 2023.

Nguyen P, Caddy C, Wilson AN, et al   Self-care interventions for preconception, antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care: a scoping review   BMJ Open  2023;13:e068713.

Sarah Ann Borg, Manjulaa Narasimhan & Tana Wuliji (2022)  Mobile learning to support health workers in pharmacies in expanding access to over-the-counter contraceptives: The World Health Organization Academy Learning Programme ,  Sexual and Reproductive Health Matter s, 30:1.

Laura Ferguson & Manjulaa Narasimhan (2022)  Centring rights-based access to self-care interventions ,  Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters , 29:3.

Narasimhan, Manjulaa et al.   Self-care interventions and practices as essential approaches to strengthening health-care delivery ,  The Lancet Global Health , Volume 11, Issue 1,2022.

Laura Ferguson, Manjulaa Narasimhan, Jose Gutierrez, William Jardell & Sofia Gruskin (2022) Law, human rights and gender in practice: an analysis of lessons from implementation of self-care interventions for sexual and reproductive health , Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters , 29:3.

Kalonde Malama, Carmen H. Logie, Manjulaa Narasimhan, Léopold Ouedraogo, Chilanga Asmani, Hafya Elamin, L. Leigh-Ann van de Merwe, Jonathan Hopkins, and Elizabeth Anne Bukusi  Short Communication: Awareness of HIV Self-Care Interventions Across Global Regions: Results from a Values and Preferences Survey , AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses 2022 38:8, 645-648.

Ammerdorffer A, Laws M, Narasimhan M, Lucido B, Kijo A, Say L, Awiligwe A, Chinery L, Gülmezoglu AM. Reclassifying contraceptives as over-the-counter medicines to improve access. Bull World Health Organ. 2022 Aug 1;100(8):503-510.

Kennedy CE, Yeh PT, Atkins K, et al   PrEP distribution in pharmacies: a systematic review   BMJ Open  2022; 12 :e054121.

Kennedy CE, Yeh PT, Gholbzouri K, et al  Self-testing for pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis   BMJ Open  2022; 12 :e054120.

Yeh, P.T., Rhee, D.K., Kennedy, C.E.  et al.   Self-monitoring of blood pressure among women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a systematic review .  BMC Pregnancy Childbirth  22, 454 (2022).

Hopkins J, Narasimhan M.  Access to self-care interventions can improve health outcomes for people experiencing homelessness   BMJ  2022; 376 :e068700.

Caitlin E. Kennedy, Ping Teresa Yeh, Jack Byrne, L. Leigh Ann van der Merwe, Laura Ferguson, Tonia Poteat & Manjulaa Narasimhan (2022) Self-administration of gender-affirming hormones: a systematic review of effectiveness, cost, and values and preferences of end-users and health workers , Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters , 29:3.

Atkins K, Kennedy CE, Yeh PT, et al. Over-the-counter provision of emergency contraceptive pills: a systematic review BMJ Open 2022;12:e054122.

Carmen H. Logie, Isha Berry, Laura Ferguson, Kalonde Malama, Holly Donkers & Manjulaa Narasimhan (2022) Uptake and provision of self-care interventions for sexual and reproductive health: findings from a global values and preferences survey , Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters , 29:3.

King SE, Yeh PT, Rhee DK, et al. Self-management of iron and folic acid supplementation during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and postnatal periods: a systematic review BMJ Global Health 2021;6:e005531.

Nishimura H, Yeh PT, Oguntade H, et al HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening: a systematic review of values and preferences BMJ Global Health 2021;6:e003743.

Supplement  Catalysing policy change to introduce and scale up self-care interventions for SRHR: Lessons from the Eastern Mediterranean Region,  Health  Research Policy and Systems  2021, Volume 19 Supplement 1.

Narasimhan, M., Logie, C.H., Moody, K. et al. The role of self-care interventions on men’s health-seeking behaviours to advance their sexual and reproductive health and rights . Health Res Policy Sys 19, 23 (2021).

Supplement   Self care interventions for sexual and reproductive health and rights ,  BMJ 2019; 365:1403

Sexual and reproductive health and rights in health emergencies

Sexual and reproductive health of migrants from Venezuela and Central America ,  Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública/Pan American Journal of Public Health (RPSP/PAJPH),  3 March 2023.

Habib N, Hughes MD, Broutet N, Thorson A, Gaillard P, Landoulsi S, McDonald SLR, Formenty P; Sierra Leone Ebola Virus Persistence Study Group. Statistical methodologies for evaluation of the rate of persistence of Ebola virus in semen of male survivors in Sierra Leone. PLoS One. 2022 Oct 5;17(10):e0274755. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274755. PMID: 36197875; PMCID: PMC9534448.

Me Abu-Rmeileh N, Wahdan Y, Mehrtash H, Hamad KA, Awad A, Tunçalp Ӧ. Exploring women's experiences during childbirth in health facilities during COVID-19 pandemic in occupied palestinian territory: a cross-sectional community survey. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2022 Dec 22;22(1):957. doi: 10.1186/s12884-022-05265-y. PMID: 36550427; PMCID: PMC9773592.

Kobeissi L, Pyone T, Moran AC, Strong KL, Say L. Scaling up a monitoring and evaluation framework for sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services and outcomes in humanitarian settings: A global initiative. Dialogues Health. 2022 Dec;1:None. doi: 10.1016/j.dialog.2022.100075. PMID: 36569812; PMCID: PMC9767412.

Cecatti JG, Bahamondes L, Ali M, Alangea DO, Brizuela V, Nahyuha Chomi E, Kouanda S, Karmaliani R, Ladak L, Lumbiganon P, Emefa M, Jen S, Kuganantham H, Kim C; WHO HRP Social Science Research Team. Issues related to pregnancy, pregnancy prevention and abortion in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: a WHO qualitative study protocol. BMJ Open. 2022 Oct 6;12(10):e063317. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063317. PMID: 36202583; PMCID: PMC9539649.

Gómez Ponce de Leon R, Bahamondes MV, Hellwig F, Barros A, Bahamondes L, Tobar F, da Silveira MF, Ali M, Gómez-Sánchez PI, Bremner J, Smith M, Serruya SJ. Potential of LARC to recover loss in satisfied demand for modern contraception after the COVID-19 pandemic: a case scenario analysis of Brazil and Mexico. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2022 Jun 3;46:e41. doi: 10.26633/RPSP.2022.41. PMID: 35677216; PMCID: PMC9168421.

Kouanda S, Nahyuha Chomi E, Kim C, Jen S, Bahamondes L, Cecatti JG, Lumbiganon P, Emefa M, Brizuela V, Kuganantham H, Seuc AH, Ali M; WHO HRP Social Science Research Team. Health systems analysis and evaluation of the barriers to availability, utilisation and readiness of sexual and reproductive health services in COVID-19-affected areas: a WHO mixed-methods study protocol. BMJ Open. 2022 Jun 1;12(6):e057810. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057810. PMID: 35649598; PMCID: PMC9160592.

Bertagnolio S, Thwin SS, Silva R, Nagarajan S, Jassat W, Fowler R, Haniffa R, Reveiz L, Ford N, Doherty M, Diaz J. Clinical features of, and risk factors for, severe or fatal COVID-19 among people living with HIV admitted to hospital: analysis of data from the WHO Global Clinical Platform of COVID-19. Lancet HIV. 2022 Jul;9(7):e486-e495. doi: 10.1016/S2352-3018(22)00097-2. Epub 2022 May 10. PMID: 35561704; PMCID: PMC9090268.

Update to living systematic review on covid-19 in pregnancy. BMJ. 2021 Mar 10;372:n615. doi: 10.1136/bmj.n615. PMID: 33692025.

Thorson AE, Deen GF, Bernstein KT, Liu WJ, Yamba F, Habib N, Sesay FR, Gaillard P, Massaquoi TA, McDonald SLR, Zhang Y, Durski KN, Singaravelu S, Ervin E, Liu H, Coursier A, Marrinan JE, Ariyarajah A, Carino M, Formenty P, Ströher U, Lamunu M, Wu G, Sahr F, Xu W, Knust B, Broutet N; Sierra Leone Ebola Virus Persistence Study Group. Persistence of Ebola virus in semen among Ebola virus disease survivors in Sierra Leone: A cohort study of frequency, duration, and risk factors. PLoS Med. 2021 Feb 10;18(2):e1003273. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003273. PMID: 33566817; PMCID: PMC7875361.

Sexual health

Blondeel K, Mirandola M, Gios L, Folch C, Noestlinger C, Cordioli M, De Sutter P, Temmerman M, Toskin I; Sialon II Network.  Sexual satisfaction, an indicator of sexual health and well-being? Insights from STI/HIV prevention research in European men who have sex with men.  BMJ Glob Health. 2024 May 24;9(5):e013285. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013285. PMID: 38789276; PMCID: PMC11129029.

Bruni L, Albero G, Rowley J, Alemany L, Arbyn M, Giuliano AR, Markowitz LE, Broutet N, Taylor M. Global and regional estimates of genital human papillomavirus prevalence among men: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health. 2023 Sep;11(9):e1345-e1362. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00305-4. PMID: 37591583; PMCID: PMC10447222.

Habib N, Hughes MD, Broutet N, Thorson A, Gaillard P, Landoulsi S, McDonald SLR, Formenty P; Sierra Leone Ebola Virus Persistence Study Group. Statistical methodologies for evaluation of the rate of persistence of Ebola virus in semen of male survivors in Sierra Leone. PLoS One. 2022 Oct 5;17(10):e0274755. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274755. PMID: 36197875; PMCID: PMC9534448. Kennedy CE, Yeh PT, Atkins K, Ferguson L, Baggaley R, Narasimhan M. PrEP distribution in pharmacies: a systematic review. BMJ Open. 2022 Feb 21;12(2):e054121. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054121. PMID: 35190430; PMCID: PMC8860049.

ProSPeRo Network. Standardised protocol for a prospective cross-sectional multicentre clinical utility evaluation of two dual point-of-care tests in non-clinical settings for the screening of HIV and syphilis in men who have sex with men. BMJ Open. 2022 Jun 8;12(6):e055275. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055275. PMID: 35676020; PMCID: PMC9185395.

Kennedy CE, Yeh PT, Li J, Gonsalves L, Narasimhan M. Lubricants for the promotion of sexual health and well-being: a systematic review. Sex Reprod Health Matters. 2021;29(3):2044198. doi: 10.1080/26410397.2022.2044198. PMID: 35315312; PMCID: PMC8942543.

Gonsalves L, Hunter EC, Brizuela V, Tucker JD, Srinivas ML, Gitau E, Mercer CH, Bajos N, Collins D. Cognitive testing of a survey instrument to assess sexual practices, behaviours, and health outcomes: a multi-country study protocol. Reprod Health. 2021 Dec 19;18(1):249. doi: 10.1186/s12978-021-01301-w. PMID: 34923998; PMCID: PMC8684588.

Stephenson R, Lesco G, Babii V, Luchian A, Bakunina N, De Vasconcelos AS, Blondeel K, Cáceres CF, Pitter RA, Metheny N, Goldenberg T, Kiarie J, Toskin I. Provider attitudes towards a brief behavioral intervention for sexual health in Moldova. BMC Public Health. 2021 Jul 28;21(1):1469. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-11490-5. PMID: 34320985; PMCID: PMC8317477.

Kpokiri EE, Wu D, Srinivas ML, Anderson J, Say L, Kontula O, Ahmad NA, Morroni C, Izugbara C, de Visser R, Oduro GY, Gitau E, Welbourn A, Andrasik M, Norman WV, Clifton S, Gabster A, Gesselman A, Smith C, Prause N, Olumide A, Erausquin JT, Muriuki P, van der Straten A, Nicholson M, O'Connell KA, Mwoka M, Bajos N, Mercer CH, Gonsalves LM, Tucker JD. Development of an international sexual and reproductive health survey instrument: results from a pilot WHO/HRP consultative Delphi process. Sex Transm Infect. 2022 Feb;98(1):38-43. doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2020-054822. Epub 2021 Apr 12. PMID: 33846277; PMCID: PMC8785043.

Blondeel K, Dias S, Furegato M, Seuc A, Gama A, Fuertes R, Mendão L, Temmerman M, Toskin I. Sexual behaviour patterns and STI risk: results of a cluster analysis among men who have sex with men in Portugal. BMJ Open. 2021 Jan 22;11(1):e033290. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033290. PMID: 33483434; PMCID: PMC7825267.

Gonsalves L, Cottler-Casanova S, VanTreeck K, Say L. Results of a World Health Organization Scoping of Sexual Dysfunction-Related Guidelines: What Exists and What Is Needed. J Sex Med. 2020 Dec;17(12):2518-2521. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.08.022. Epub 2020 Nov 10. PMID: 33187892; PMCID: PMC7720735.

Sexually transmitted infections

Chaiyakunapruk, N., Lee, S.W.H., Kulchaitanaroaj, P.  et al.   Estimated global and regional economic burden of genital herpes simplex virus infection among 15–49 year-olds in 2016 .  BMC Global Public Health  2, 42 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s44263-024-00053-6

Kularatne R, Blondeel K, Kasaro M, Maseko V, Bosomprah S, Silva R, Laverty M, Kurbonov F, Mirandola M, Peeling RW. Clinic-based evaluation of point-of-care dual HIV/syphilis rapid diagnostic tests at primary healthcare antenatal facilities in South Africa and Zambia. BMC Infect Dis. 2024 Jun 19;24(Suppl 1):600. doi: 10.1186/s12879-024-09463-1. PMID: 38898466; PMCID: PMC11186134.

Blondeel K, Mirandola M, Gios L, Folch C, Noestlinger C, Cordioli M, De Sutter P, Temmerman M, Toskin I; Sialon II Network. Sexual satisfaction, an indicator of sexual health and well-being? Insights from STI/HIV prevention research in European men who have sex with men. BMJ Glob Health. 2024 May 24;9(5):e013285. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013285. PMID: 38789276; PMCID: PMC11129029.

Sherriff, N., Mirandola, M., Silva, R. et al. Independent clinic-based evaluation of dual POCTs for screening for HIV and syphilis in men who have sex with men in Italy, Malta, Peru, and the United Kingdom. BMC Infect Dis 24 (Suppl 1), 192 (2024).

Stone J, Looker KJ, Silhol R, Turner KME, Hayes R, Coetzee J, Baral S, Schwartz S, Mayaud P, Gottlieb S, Boily MC, Vickerman P. The population impact of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) vaccination on the incidence of HSV-2, HIV and genital ulcer disease in South Africa: a mathematical modelling study. EBioMedicine. 2023 Apr;90:104530. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104530. Epub 2023 Mar 16. PMID: 36933410; PMCID: PMC10034427.

Shipitsyna E, Kularatne R, Golparian D, Müller EE, Vargas SK, Hadad R, Padovese V, Hancali A, Alvarez CS, Oumzil H, Camey E, Blondeel K, Toskin I, Unemo M.  Mycoplasma genitalium  prevalence, antimicrobial resistance-associated mutations, and coinfections with non-viral sexually transmitted infections in high-risk populations in Guatemala, Malta, Morocco, Peru and South Africa, 2019-2021. Front Microbiol. 2023 Feb 22;14:1130762. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1130762. PMID: 36910203; PMCID: PMC9994645.

Zhang Y, Goh SM, Mello MB, Baggaley RC, Wi T, Johnson CC, Asiedu KB, Marks M, Pham MD, Fairley CK, Chow EPF, Mitjà O, Toskin I, Ballard RC, Ong JJ. Improved rapid diagnostic tests to detect syphilis and yaws: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sex Transm Infect. 2022 Dec;98(8):608-616. doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2022-055546. Epub 2022 Sep 30. PMID: 36180209; PMCID: PMC9685714.

Kennedy CE, Yeh PT, Atkins K, Ferguson L, Baggaley R, Narasimhan M. PrEP distribution in pharmacies: a systematic review. BMJ Open. 2022 Feb 21;12(2):e054121. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054121. PMID: 35190430; PMCID: PMC8860049.

Otu A, Danhoundo G, Toskin I, Govender V, Yaya S. Refocusing on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to improve reproductive health: a call to further action. Reprod Health. 2021 Dec 1;18(1):242. doi: 10.1186/s12978-021-01296-4. PMID: 34852842; PMCID: PMC8634744.

Murtagh M, Blondeel K, Peeling RW, Kiarie J, Toskin I. The relevance of target product profiles for manufacturers, experiences from the World Health Organization initiative for point-of-care testing for sexually transmitted infections. Arch Public Health. 2021 Oct 27;79(1):187. doi: 10.1186/s13690-021-00708-y. PMID: 34706763; PMCID: PMC8549211.

Vargas S, Calvo G, Qquellon J, Vasquez F, Blondeel K, Ballard R, Toskin I. Point-of-care testing for sexually transmitted infections in low-resource settings. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2022 Jul;28(7):946-951. doi: 10.1016/j.cmi.2021.05.052. Epub 2021 Jun 10. PMID: 34118424.

ProSPeRo Network. Standardised protocol for a prospective cross-sectional multicentre clinic-based evaluation of two dual point-of-care tests for the screening of HIV and syphilis in men who have sex with men, sex workers and pregnant women. BMJ Open. 2020 Nov 26;10(11):e044479. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044479. PMID: 33243821; PMCID: PMC7692839.

BMJ Open 2019;9:e025808. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025808 - 22 June 2020

Chemaitelly H, Harfouche M, Blondeel K, Matsaseng TC, Kiarie J, Toskin I, Abu-Raddad LJ. Global epidemiology of  Neisseria gonorrhoeae  in infertile populations: protocol for a systematic review. BMJ Open. 2019 May 22;9(5):e025808. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025808. PMID: 31122971; PMCID: PMC6538097.

Toskin I, Govender V, Blondeel K, Murtagh M, Unemo M, Zemouri C, Peeling RW, Kiarie J. Call to action for health systems integration of point-of-care testing to mitigate the transmission and burden of sexually transmitted infections. Sex Transm Infect. 2020 Aug;96(5):342-347. doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2019-054358. Epub 2020 Apr 2. PMID: 32241905; PMCID: PMC7402556.

Toskin I, Bakunina N, Gerbase AC, Blondeel K, Stephenson R, Baggaley R, Mirandola M, Aral SO, Laga M, Holmes KK, Winkelmann C, Kiarie JN. A combination approach of behavioural and biomedical interventions for prevention of sexually transmitted infections. Bull World Health Organ. 2020 Jun 1;98(6):431-434. doi: 10.2471/BLT.19.238170. Epub 2020 Apr 29. PMID: 32514218; PMCID: PMC7265927.

James C, Harfouche M, Welton NJ, Turner KM, Abu-Raddad LJ, Gottlieb SL, Looker KJ. Herpes simplex virus: global infection prevalence and incidence estimates, 2016. Bull World Health Organ. 2020 May 1;98(5):315-329. doi: 10.2471/BLT.19.237149. Epub 2020 Mar 25. PMID: 32514197; PMCID: PMC7265941.

Stephenson R, Metheny N, Goldenberg T, Bakunina N, De Vasconcelos S, Blondeel K, Kiarie J, Toskin I. Brief Intervention to Prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections and Unintended Pregnancies: Protocol of a Mixed Methods Feasibility Study. JMIR Res Protoc. 2020 Mar 10;9(3):e15569. doi: 10.2196/15569. PMID: 32154787; PMCID: PMC7093772.

Sexual and reproductive health and rights and HIV

Kaida A, Cameron B, Conway T, Cotnam J, Danforth J, de Pokomandy A, Gagnier B, Godoy S, Gormley R, Greene S, Habanyama M, Kazemi M, Logie CH, Loutfy M, MacGillivray J, Masching R, Money D, Nicholson V, Osborne Z, Pick N, Sanchez M, Tharao W, Watt S, Narasimhan M. Key recommendations for developing a national action plan to advance the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women living with HIV in Canada. Womens Health (Lond). 2022 Jan-Dec;18:17455057221090829. doi: 10.1177/17455057221090829. PMID: 35435062; PMCID: PMC9019372.

Violence against women and girls

Burke E, Watson K, Eva G, Gold J, Garcia-Moreno C, Amin A. Is addressing violence against women prioritised in health policies? Findings from a WHO policies database. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2024 Feb 16;4(2):e0002504. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002504. PMID: 38363752; PMCID: PMC10871498.

Arora S, Bhate-Deosthali P, Rege S, Amin A, Meyer SR. Healthcare Providers' Perceptions and Experiences of Training to Respond to Violence against Women: Results from a Qualitative Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Feb 17;20(4):3606. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20043606. PMID: 36834300; PMCID: PMC9966429.

Sardinha L, Maheu-Giroux M, Stöckl H, Meyer SR, García-Moreno C. Global, regional, and national prevalence estimates of physical or sexual, or both, intimate partner violence against women in 2018. Lancet. 2022 Feb 26;399(10327):803-813. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)02664-7. Epub 2022 Feb 16. PMID: 35182472; PMCID: PMC8885817.

Gadappa S, Prabhu P, Deshpande S, Gaikwad N, Arora S, Rege S, Meyer SR, Garcia-Moreno C, Amin A. Innovations in implementing a health systems response to violence against women in 3 tertiary hospitals of Maharashtra India: Improving provider capacity and facility readiness. Implement Res Pract. 2022 Jan 6;3:26334895211067988. doi: 10.1177/26334895211067988. PMID: 37091087; PMCID: PMC9924251.

Arora S, Rege S, Bhate-Deosthali P, Thwin SS, Amin A, García-Moreno C, Meyer SR. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of health care providers trained in responding to violence against women: a pre- and post-intervention study. BMC Public Health. 2021 Nov 1;21(1):1973. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-12042-7. PMID: 34724912; PMCID: PMC8561996.

Kalra N, Hooker L, Reisenhofer S, Di Tanna GL, García-Moreno C. Training healthcare providers to respond to intimate partner violence against women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 May 31;5(5):CD012423. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012423.pub2. PMID: 34057734; PMCID: PMC8166264.

Potter LC, Morris R, Hegarty K, García-Moreno C, Feder G. Categories and health impacts of intimate partner violence in the World Health Organization multi-country study on women's health and domestic violence. Int J Epidemiol. 2021 May 17;50(2):652-662. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyaa220. PMID: 33326019.

Meyer SR, Lasater ME, Lee L, Garcia-Moreno C. Measurement of violence against women and disability: protocol for a scoping review. BMJ Open. 2020 Dec 24;10(12):e040104. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040104. PMID: 33361077; PMCID: PMC7768952.

Meyer SR, Lasater ME, García-Moreno C. Violence against older women: A systematic review of qualitative literature. PLoS One. 2020 Sep 24;15(9):e0239560. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239560. PMID: 32970746; PMCID: PMC7514024.

Olson RM, García-Moreno C, Colombini M. The implementation and effectiveness of the one stop centre model for intimate partner and sexual violence in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review of barriers and enablers. BMJ Glob Health. 2020 Mar 30;5(3):e001883. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001883. PMID: 32337076; PMCID: PMC7170420.

Turner DT, Riedel E, Kobeissi LH, Karyotaki E, Garcia-Moreno C, Say L, Cuijpers P. Psychosocial interventions for intimate partner violence in low and middle income countries: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. J Glob Health. 2020 Jun;10(1):010409. doi: 10.7189/jogh.10.010409. PMID: 32373328; PMCID: PMC7182699.