Reproductive Health Research at WHO: A New Beginning

Provides a report on the many research and other activities undertaken by the UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Program of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction during 1998-1999. Issued at a time of rapid reform at WHO, the report reflects the Program's new organizational structure and expanded research agenda in line with a broader concept of sexual and reproductive health.The report has six main chapters. The first describes a range of studies aimed at understanding people's reproductive health needs. Topics covered include men's attitudes and contraceptive preferences, the reproductive health needs of adolescents, human rights issues, and the impact of laws and regulations on reproductive health. Chapter two summarizes extensive research into the development of new methods of fertility regulation, ranging from immunocontraceptives for women to hormonal contraceptives for men. . The need to expand family planning options is addressed in chapter three, which describes the Program's efforts to increase access to emergency contraception, the female condom, and the diaphragm. Chapter four concentrates on the important work being done to monitor the long-term safety of specific contraceptive methods. Projects described include large studies of the safety of Norplant, the influence of hormonal contraception on bone mineral density, cardiovascular risks associated with steroid hormone contraception, and approaches to the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage. The remaining chapters describe measures for strengthening reproductive health services and national research capability.