Overview
The Population Council’s Poverty, Gender, and Youth program currently is very active in Malawi. Researchers are working to better serve adolescents and other vulnerable subgroups through policy and program reform; identifying the qualities of schooling that can best serve adolescents who face both poverty and HIV/AIDS; and improving the techniques of gathering sexual behavior data.
Until very recently, the Council’s Malawi program included research in reproductive health and HIV and AIDS. This work included an assessment of the sustainability of integrations of maternal and child health and malaria prevention and an impact assessment of an innovative program to improve and strengthen community-based responses to communities affected by HIV and AIDS.
Highlights of past and present work
- Working to identify critical aspects of school quality that put adolescents who face the dual challenges of poverty and HIV/AIDS on a safer, healthier, and more productive path to adulthood.
- Improving the validity and reliability of sexual behavior reporting, improving the quality of behavior data from clinical trials, and evaluating the use of new technologies for collecting sexual behavior data.
- Working to define and address the gap between the intended beneficiaries of policies and programs and those actually receiving them using a demand-driven approach by which the needs of vulnerable subgroups of adolescents guide policy initiatives.
- Assessed the sustainability of USAID-supported interventions integrating maternal and child health and malaria prevention, detection, and treatment.
- Conducted a retrospective assessment to determine the impact of Community-based Options for Protection and Empowerment, a program aimed at strengthening AIDS coordinating committees and catalyzing community responses to support children, families, and communities affected by HIV and AIDS.
Projects
Adolescent Policy Analysis, Capacity Building, and Advocacy Project (more)
This project is designed to provide decision-makers, NGOs, youth advocates, UN country representatives, and members of government ministries with the appropriate knowledge and tools to effectively make the case for implementing policies and programs that are evidence-based and targeted at vulnerable subgroups of young people, in particular girls.
(1/2008 - ongoing)
Population policy and demographic analysis
Audio Computer-assisted Self-interviewing (ACASI) and Microbicides (more)
Council researchers are using ACASI to conduct behavioral and social science research about microbicides.
(1/2006 - ongoing)
Microbicides
Measures of Urban Poverty (more)
Council researchers are assessing the impact of urban poverty on children’s education and nutrition, child survival, and women’s reproductive health.
(1/1999 - ongoing)
Urbanization, health, and the environment
Malawi Schooling and Adolescent Study (more)
This six-round longitudinal study aims to identify critical aspects of school quality that put adolescents who face the dual challenges of poverty and HIV/AIDS on a safer, healthier, and more productive path to adulthood. Our research seeks to uncover those aspects of schooling that will lead to more protective behaviors and lower HIV risk among young men and women.
(1/2007 - 4/2015)
Adolescence/transitions to adulthood; Child marriage; HIV and children; HIV prevention; RTIs/STIs; Schooling; Sexual and gender-based violence; Sexuality and sexual behavior; Sexuality education
Addressing the Balance of Burden in AIDS (ABBA) (more)
The ABBA Research Programme Consortium is a multi-country research project in sub-Saharan Africa that explores the social context around prevention, treatment, care, and mitigation of the effects of HIV and AIDS in vulnerable populations.
(6/2006 - 3/2012)
HIV care, support, and treatment; Vulnerable populations
Assessing the Benefits of Integrated HIV and Reproductive Health Services in Kenya, Malawi, and Swaziland: The Integra Initiative (more)
The Council is collaborating with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and IPPF to gather evidence and determine the benefits and costs of using different models for delivering integrated HIV and RH services to reduce HIV infection (and associated stigma) and unintended pregnancy.
(1/2008 - 12/2012)
Integrating health services; Postpartum family planning
Developing a Multisectoral and Comprehensive Response to Sexual and Gender-based Violence in East and Southern Africa (more)
The Council is working to alleviate sexual and gender-based violence in seven sub-Saharan African countries.
(8/2006 - 12/2012)
Sexual and gender-based violence
Assessing and Improving the Measurement of Sexual Behaviors (more)
Council researchers are conducting a series of studies assessing the reporting of sexual behavior in survey research and the use of audio computer-assisted self-interviews (audio-CASI) as a technique for providing more reliable and valid information.
(1/2000 - 1/2009)
Sexuality and sexual behavior
Africa Regional Sexual and Gender-based Violence Network (more)
The Population Council is providing technical assistance to a PEPFAR initiative to strengthen the delivery of comprehensive services, including postexposure prophylaxis, to victims of sexual violence.
(8/2006 - 12/2008)
Integrating health services; Sexual and gender-based violence
Malaria in Pregnancy Pilot Projects Nationally Adopted in Kenya and Malawi (more)
Following successful pilot programs led by the Council to prevent malaria among antenatal clients, Kenya and Malawi have developed national policies to prevent malaria in pregnancy.
(1/1998 - 12/2004)
Maternal and newborn health; Safe pregnancy, antenatal, and delivery care
Resources
Challenges in measuring the sequencing of life events among adolescents in Malawi: A cautionary noteMensch,Barbara S.; Soler-Hampejsek,Erica; Kelly,Christine A.; Hewett,Paul C.; Grant,Monica J.
Demography (In press)
Publication date: 2013
Menstruation and school absenteeism: Evidence from rural Malawi (abstract) (HTML)
Grant,Monica J.; Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Mensch,Barbara S.
Comparative Education Review 57(2): 260-284
Publication date: 2013
Social desirability bias in sexual behavior reporting: Evidence from an interview mode experiment in rural Malawi (abstract) (HTML)
Kelly,Christine A.; Soler-Hampejsek,Erica; Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.
International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 39(1): 14-21
Publication date: 2013
The effect of school status and academic skills on the reporting of premarital sexual behavior: Evidence from a longitudinal study in rural Malawi (abstract) (HTML)
Soler-Hampejsek,Erica; Grant,Monica J.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.; Rankin,Johanna
Journal of Adolescent Health 53(2): 228-234
Publication date: 2013
Rape sentencing study: A review of statutory sentencing provisions for rape, defilement, and sexual assault in East, Central, and Southern Africa (PDF)
Thompson,Jill; Simmonds,Felly Nkweto
Publication date: 2012
The Africa Regional Sexual and Gender-based Violence Network Annual Partners Meeting: June 26-27 2012, Mombasa, Kenya -- meeting report (PDF)
Population Council
Publication date: 2012
Comprehensive responses to sexual violence in East and Southern Africa: Lessons learned from implementation (PDF)
Keesbury,Jill; Askew,Ian; Wanjiru,Monica; Chiyaba,Grace; Wilson,Kate; Simmonds,Felly Nkweto
Policy Brief
Publication date: 2011
Investigating school quality and learning outcomes among adolescents in Malawi (PDF)
Kelly,Christine A.
Promoting Healthy, Safe, and Productive Transitions to Adulthood Brief (no. 34)
Publication date: 2011
The prevention and management of HIV and sexual and gender-based violence: Responding to the needs of survivors and those-at-risk (PDF)
Raifman,Sarah; Askew,Ian; Amin,Sajeda; Keesbury,Jill; Mullick,Saiqa; Diers,Judith A.; Budiharsana,Meiwita P.; Undie,Chi-Chi; Zama,Mary; Menziwa,Mantshi; Hutchinson,Sherry; Rutenberg,Naomi
Publication date: 2011
"INTEGRA: Strengthening the evidence base for integrating HIV and SRH services," brochure (PDF)
Publication date: 2010
Comprehensive responses to gender-based violence in low-resource settings: Lessons learned from implementation (PDF)
Keesbury,Jill; Askew,Ian
Publication date: 2010
Looking back, moving forward: Improving the lives of orphans and other children affected by AIDS, Horizons studies 1998 to 2007 (PDF)
Schenk,Katie D.; Michaelis,Annie P.; Nelson,Tobey C.; Brown,Lisanne; Weiss,Ellen
Horizons Synthesis Background Papers
Publication date: 2010
Nonresponse in repeat population-based voluntary counseling and testing for HIV in rural Malawi (abstract) (HTML)
Obare,Francis
Demography 47(3): 651-665
Publication date: 2010
Adolescent experience in-depth: Using data to identify and reach the most vulnerable young people (HTML)
Series of 51 data guides by country
Publication date: 2009
Adolescent experience in-depth: Using data to identify and reach the most vulnerable young people--Malawi 2004 (PDF) (HTML)
Publication date: 2009
Lutte contre la pratique de l'excision au Mali: De l'approche santé à l'approche basée sur les droits de l'enfant-Rapport d'Evaluation du Programme du Centre Djoliba (PDF)
Diagne,Anta Fall
(executive summary in English; report in French)
Publication date: 2008
Malaria in pregnancy pilot projects nationally adopted in Kenya and Malawi (PDF)
FRONTIERS OR Summary (no. 77)
Publication date: 2008
Sexual behavior and STI/HIV status among adolescents in rural Malawi: An evaluation of the effect of interview mode on reporting (abstract) (HTML)
Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.; Gregory,Richard; Helleringer,Stephane
Studies in Family Planning 39(4): 321-334
Publication date: 2008
Sexual behavior and STI/HIV status among adolescents in rural Malawi: An evaluation of the effect of interview mode on reporting (PDF)
Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.; Gregory,Richard; Helleringer,Stephane
Poverty, Gender, and Youth Working Paper (no. 8)
Publication date: 2008
The potential for sustainability of malaria in pregnancy initiatives in East and Southern Africa: Kenya and Malawi (PDF)
Onyango-Ouma,Washington; Okuonzi,Sam Agatre; Ali,Doreen; Birungi,Harriet; Mwangi,Annie
FRONTIERS Final Report
Publication date: 2008
Premarital sex and schooling transitions in four sub-Saharan African countries (PDF)
Biddlecom,Ann E.; Gregory,Richard; Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Mensch,Barbara S.
Poverty, Gender, and Youth Working Paper (no. 5)
Publication date: 2007
Facts about adolescents from the Demographic and Health Survey--Statistical tables for program planning: Malawi 2000 (PDF) (HTML)
Publication date: 2006
Selected DHS data on 10-14-year-olds (HTML)
Annexes by country to Facts about Adolescents from the Demographic and Health Survey: Statistical Tables for Program Planning
Publication date: 2003
Selected DHS data on 10-14-year-olds: Malawi (PDF) (HTML)
Annex to "Facts about adolescents from the Demographic and Health Survey: Statistical tables for program planning"
Publication date: 2003
Facts about adolescents from the Demographic and Health Survey: Statistical tables for program planning (HTML)
Series of DHS data tables by country
Publication date: 2001
Facts about adolescents from the Demographic and Health Survey--Statistical tables for program planning: Malawi 1992 (PDF) (HTML)
Publication date: 2001
Husband-wife survey responses in Malawi (abstract) (PDF)
Miller,Kate; Watkins,Susan Cotts; Zulu,Eliya Msiyaphazi
Studies in Family Planning 32(2): 161-174
Publication date: 2001
A retrospective assessment of the COPE 1 Program in Namwera, Malawi
Publication date: 2000
The role of men and women in decision-making about reproductive issues in Malawi
Zulu,Eliya Msiyaphazi
African Population Policy Research Center Working Paper (no. 2)
Publication date: 1998
Malawi Fast Facts
| Population (millions) | 15.9 |
|---|---|
| Total fertility rate | 5.7 |
| Infant deaths per 1,000 live births | 66 |
| Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births | 510 |
| Girls aged 20-24 married by age 18 (%) | 49.6 |
| HIV/AIDS prevalence (%) | 11.0 |
| Living below US $2 per day (%) | 91 |
Country statistics from Demographic and Health Surveys, 1987–2011; UNAIDS and UNICEF websites (accessed 10/22/2012); "World Population Data Sheet" (Population Reference Bureau, 2012) | |
Get Involved
- Make a contribution to the Population Council
- Honor a loved one with a gift in his or her name
- Sign up to receive e-mail announcements
Connect
