Population Council | Projects by Topic

Population Council Projects by Topic

Adolescence/transitions to adulthood

Abriendo Oportunidades: Creating Opportunities for Mayan Girls and Young Women (more)
This national program is providing the most vulnerable indigenous Mayan girls and young women in Guatemala with personal and professional development skills, mentorship, and leadership opportunities.
(6/2002 - ongoing)
Guatemala

Audio Computer-assisted Self-interviewing (ACASI) (more)
Population Council researchers and information technology specialists have developed software for interviewees responding to sensitive questions.
(1/1999 - ongoing)
Global

Comparative Studies on the Transitions to Adulthood (more)
These studies use comparable data from many developing countries to analyze key aspects of transitions to adulthood, including schooling, time use, marriage, sexual initiation, and parenthood.
(1/1998 - ongoing)
Developing Countries

Adolescent Girls Empowerment Program (more)
The Council is developing solutions for vulnerable adolescent girls in Zambia, who need tools to help them avoid early marriage, STIs and HIV, and unwanted pregnancy.
(11/2011 - 10/2017)
Zambia

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)
Malawi

Addressing Sexual and Reproductive Rights and Violence against Adolescent Girls and Women in Urban Bangladesh (more)
The Growing Up Safe and Healthy (SAFE) project seeks to provide context-specific strategies for vulnerable adolescents to build their social and health assets, with the eventual goal of improving their lifelong functional capabilities and well-being.
(11/2010 - 10/2014)
Bangladesh

Girls on the Move: A Girls Count Report on Adolescent Girls' Migration (more)
In May 2013, the Population Council will publish a Girls Count report on adolescent girls and internal migration.
(3/2011 - 5/2013)
Global

Migrant Adolescent Girls in Domestic Service: Building the Evidence Base on a Vulnerable Population (more)
Population Council researchers are working with local NGOs to implement and test an intervention for migrant girls in domestic service in urban Burkina Faso that builds skills in health and hygiene with a focus on sexual and reproductive health, numeracy and financial capabilities, and life skills.
(1/2011 - 12/2013)
Burkina Faso

Addressing the HIV/AIDS Vulnerabilities and Stigma of Africa’s Youth (more)
Council research will provide a comprehensive, evidence-based picture of the HIV-related issues facing young people in Africa and the prevailing legal, policy, and programmatic responses.
(8/2011 - 5/2012)
Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda

Our Girls, Our Future: Building Synergy to End Violence Against Girls in Zambia (more)
By creating safe spaces for adolescent girls in Lusaka, Zambia, the Council is part of a coalition that is helping to build girls' social, health, and economic assets in order to prevent sexual and gender-based violence.
(2/2010 - 12/2012)
Zambia

Safe and Smart Savings Products for Vulnerable Adolescent Girls in Kenya and Uganda (more)
Working with financial institutions and girls' programs in Kenya and Uganda, Council researchers are developing appropriate ways for adolescent girls to gain financial literacy and save money.
(6/2008 - 5/2012)
Kenya, Uganda

Critical Communities for Investment in Adolescent Girls (more)
This project will provide data and maps on vulnerable adolescent girls and build support among donors and interested stakeholders to make investments that improve the health and rights of the poorest girls in the poorest communities.
(1/2009 - 4/2011)
Global

Ethiopia Youth and Gender Survey
The Ethiopia Youth and Gender Survey was a study of adolescents and women in urban and rural areas of seven regions of Ethiopia. The sample included nearly 20,000 respondents and contributes to greater understanding of the situation of youth and women in the country.
(5/2009 - 11/2010)
Ethiopia

Special Needs of In-school HIV-positive Young People in Uganda (more)
Council researchers are aiming to better understand the needs of HIV-positive pupils in Uganda and identify possible responses by the education sector.
(6/2008 - 5/2009)
Uganda

Child marriage

Berhane Hewan: Supporting Girls in Rural Ethiopia (more)
The goal of Berhane Hewan, which means "Light for Eve" in Amharic, is to establish appropriate and effective mechanisms to protect girls at risk of early marriage and to support adolescent girls who are already married.
(9/2002 - 10/2015)
Ethiopia

Building an Evidence Base to Delay Marriage in Sub-Saharan Africa (more)
Working with partners in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, the Council is testing alternative approaches to delaying marriage in child marriage "hotspots" in East Africa.
(10/2010 - 9/2015)
Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Tanzania

Meserete Hiwot: Supporting Married Adolescent Girls in Rural Ethiopia to Prevent HIV Infection and Promote Reproductive Health
Meserete Hiwot ("Base of Life") addresses the social isolation of married adolescents and builds their knowledge and skills in HIV and reproductive health through community-based mentoring sessions.
(1/2007 - 12/2013)
Ethiopia

Eliminating Child Marriage in Burkina Faso: A Plan for Protection, Empowerment, and Community Action (more)
In Burkina Faso, Council research is working to increase the human security of adolescent girls who are either married or at risk of child marriage.
(8/2008 - 4/2010)
Burkina Faso

Addressing Child Marriage in Northern Nigeria (more)
Council researchers conducted a survey and intervention designed to address issues surrounding child marriage in Nigeria.
(11/2005 - 11/2009)
Nigeria

Schooling

Developing Capacity for Targeted, Evidence-based Programming and Asset Building for Adolescent Girls (more)
The Council is helping to build the capacity of NGOs, UN country teams, and government agencies to develop effective health, social, and economic asset-building programs for adolescent girls.
(1/2008 - ongoing)
Global, Kenya, Liberia

Ishraq: Bringing Marginalized Rural Girls into Safe Learning Spaces in Upper Egypt (more)
Launched in 2001, Ishraq, which means “sunrise” in Arabic, seeks to improve the educational, health, and social opportunities for vulnerable girls in rural Upper Egypt.
(1/2001 - ongoing)
Egypt

Survey of Young People in Egypt (more)
Council researchers conducted a nationally representative survey covering 15,000 young people in Egypt aged 10–29 to update the state of knowledge on youth and adolescents in Egypt on issues of health, education, employment, family formation, and civic participation.
(3/2008 - ongoing)
Egypt

Adolescent Safe Spaces, Health, and Skills for Adulthood in Urban Ghana (more)
This safe spaces program provides 12–15-year-old urban adolescent females in Ghana with social, economic, and health assets.
(1/2009 - 3/2011)
Ghana

Kenya Adolescent Girls' Brain Trust (more)
The Kenya Adolescent Girls' Learning Network brings together adolescent girls' program providers and experts to share learning, develop program guidelines, and strengthen programming for adolescent girls in Kenya’s urban areas.
(6/2007 - 5/2010)
Kenya

Promoting Financial Education Through Mentoring Relationships (more)
Council researchers have been testing a new personal financial education curriculum through mentoring relationships against a more conventional teaching method for adolescents in Bangladesh.
(9/2009 - 9/2010)
Bangladesh

Building Programs for Adolescents in Kibera, Nairobi (more)
Council researchers are broadening understanding of the adolescent experience in slum areas of Nairobi, Kenya, and developing context-appropriate programs for them.
(6/2006 - 5/2009)
Kenya

Assessing Equality of Access to Education in Egypt (more)
Council researchers studied equality of access to schooling in Egypt.
(10/2006 - 5/2007)
Egypt

Evaluation of the Punjab Female School Stipend Program (more)
Council researchers evaluated the effect of stipends on school enrollment in Punjab.
(9/2006 - 6/2007)
Pakistan

Sexuality and sexual behavior

Male Circumcision Partnership: Achieving Scale (more)
The Male Circumcision Partnership is establishing multisectoral provider networks for high-quality adult male circumcision services.
(1/2009 - 11/2013)
Swaziland, Zambia

Situation Analysis of the HIV Response Among Young People in Zambia (more)
Council researchers are reviewing HIV and youth programs and policies in Zambia for use in high-level advocacy and to inform the implementation of Zambia's new HIV and AIDS Strategic Framework.
(12/2010 - 6/2011)
Zambia

Sexuality: Who Is Listening? (more)
Council researchers are developing communication strategies about sexuality in East Africa.
(1/2007 - 12/2010)
Kenya, Uganda

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)
Brazil, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda

Youth in India: Situation and Needs Study (more)
Council researchers in India investigated key transitions facing young people, including education and livelihood opportunities and experiences, and the magnitude and patterns of sexual and reproductive practices key factors underlying the sexual and reproductive health, knowledge, attitudes, and life choices of young people in India.
(9/2004 - 8/2008)
India

Sexuality education

Rethinking Sexuality Education (more)
In diverse settings around the world, young people face the challenges of HIV, STIs, and unintended pregnancy. In response, many countries have mounted programs to educate adolescents about sex and sexual health. Evidence suggests that a key to enhancing program effect is to help young people reflect about gender norms that shape sexual behavior. The Rethinking Sexuality Education project conducts research and provides resources and technical assistance to support efforts to place gender and rights at the heart of sex and HIV education.
(1/2004 - ongoing)
Global

Working Group on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (more)
The Delhi-based Working Group on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights exchanges ideas and information and ongoing work and encourages collaboration across disciplinary boundaries.
(8/2003 - ongoing)
India

Biruh Tesfa: Safe Spaces for Out-of-school Girls in Urban Slum Areas of Ethiopia (more)
Biruh Tesfa protects the rights of vulnerable urban girls by reducing their social isolation and providing them with health information, including HIV prevention, and services to address sexual exploitation and abuse.
(1/2007 - 12/2013)
Ethiopia

Developmental Bible and Days of Dialogue: Integrating HIV and Other RH Information in the Teachings of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (more)
The Council is working with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) to train religious leaders in incorporating health and development messages into the daily teachings of the church. The Developmental Bible project integrates the teachings into training institutions of the EOC, while Days of Dialogue work with priests who already are serving communities.
(5/2008 - 12/2013)
Ethiopia

Assessing the Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs and Experiences of Indigenous Youth in Oaxaca (more)
Drawing on lessons from safe spaces programs in other countries, Council researchers will assess the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of indigenous youth in Oaxaca and pilot a youth empowerment project to improve their SRH, gender equity, and leadership skills.
(1/2009 - 12/2011)
Mexico

Friends of Youth (more)
Friends of Youth is a locally designed, culturally consistent adolescent reproductive health project taking place in Kenya.
(1/1994 - 3/2010)
Kenya

Institutionalizing a Successful Adolescent Reproductive Health and HIV Intervention Program: Expanding the Kenya Adolescent Reproductive Health Program Experience in Kenya (more)
Council researchers identified selected activities from the Kenya Adolescent Reproductive Health Program and institutionalized them within the study sites.
(9/2003 - 5/2008)
Kenya

Sharing Experiences with Comprehensive Responses to Adolescent Reproductive Health Needs in Africa (more)
In francophone West Africa, Council research is promoting the utilization of multisectoral approaches for improving adolescent reproductive health programming by governments, donors, and national and international agencies.
(10/2007 - 3/2008)
Africa

Strengthening Safe Sex Decisionmaking: Creating Conditions for Scaling Up Access to Life Skill Sexual and Reproductive Health Education and Condom Services (more)
A Council project in Bangladesh provided male youth with sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and skills and access to condoms for safer sex practices.
(10/2005 - 12/2008)
Bangladesh

Enhancing Utilization of the Findings from the Youth Reproductive Health Project (more)
The Council provided technical assistance to Senegal’s MOH to implement programs to improve adolescent reproductive health.
(1/2004 - 8/2007)
Senegal

Improving Communication About Reproductive Health in Families with Adolescents (more)
Council researchers with the FRONTIERS program conducted an intervention to enhance communication between parents and their children in rural and urban areas in Senegal on values, expectations, and reproductive health issues.
(7/2005 - 1/2007)
Senegal

Family planning services

Access to contraceptive methods

Strengthening Evidence for Programming on Unintended Pregnancy (STEP UP) (more)
The Population Council is the coordinating partner for STEP UP, which will generate policy-relevant research to promote an evidence-based approach for improving access to family planning and safe abortion.
(1/2011 - 1/2016)
Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, Senegal

Assessing the Acceptability of the Progesterone Vaginal Ring in Sub-Saharan Africa (more)
To expand contraceptive options for women in sub-Saharan Africa we are evaluating the acceptability of the progesterone vaginal ring, a user-controlled contraceptive method for lactating women, and exploring strategies for how to introduce the new technology.
(10/2011 - 9/2014)
Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal

Provider Beliefs, Attitudes, and Practices Concerning Emergency Contraception (more)
The Council is collaborating with national partners to review current access to emergency contraception (EC), particularly with respect to providers’ attitudes toward the method in India, Nigeria, and Senegal. The data generated will be used to develop a global advocacy strategy to improve provider support for EC access and to improve access within each country.
(1/2011 - 10/2013)
India, Nigeria, Senegal

Responding to the Need for Family Planning through Expanded Contraceptive Choices and Program Services (RESPOND) (more)
Council researchers are providing technical assistance in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of a project to advance the use of long-acting and permanent methods and other reproductive health and family planning services.
(6/2009 - 6/2013)
Bangladesh

Helping Women Achieve Optimal Birth Intervals Through Linking Community-based Postpartum Family Planning with Maternal Health Services in Egypt (more)
In Egypt, Population Council research helped providers integrate birth spacing and postpartum family planning messages into antenatal and postpartum care through a community-based approach.
(7/2005 - 4/2011)
Egypt

Increasing Access to Family Planning and Reproductive Health Services through Community Health Workers: Case Study of a Dual-cadre Model in India (more)
The Council conducted research on community health workers in India to examine how different cadres of health workers function in relation to one other in order to improve access to reproductive health and family planning services in rural areas.
(10/2010 - 9/2011)
India

Postabortion Contraception Following Medical and Surgical Abortion Among Women in India (more)
A Council study determined that adoption and continuation of postabortion contraception are virtually identical among women undergoing surgical and medical abortion in India.
(11/2009 - 12/2011)
India

Community-based Postpartum Family Planning Through Integrated Public Delivery Systems in India (more)
The Population Council supported the Government of India in designing, testing, and scaling up a community-based intervention to encourage healthier birth spacing in India through increased knowledge and use of postpartum family planning.
(2/2006 - 10/2010)
India

Mainstreaming Emergency Contraception in Kenya (more)
This Council project focused on providing emergency contraception in public- and private-sector facilities in Kenya, training providers, and creating awareness about emergency contraception among the population as a whole.
(10/2006 - 12/2010)
Kenya

Demand-based Reproductive Health Commodity Project (more)
Council researchers introduced DBRHCP to increase use of reproductive health services by emphasizing creating demand and improving the quality of reproductive health services through informed choice.
(10/2005 - 8/2009)
Bangladesh

Demand-based Reproductive Health Commodity Project: Creating a Space for Men and Youth at Health and Family Welfare Centers (more)
Council researchers tested the feasibility of providing access to reproductive health services among men and youth in rural areas of Bangladesh.
(7/2007 - 3/2009)
Bangladesh

Demand-based Reproductive Health Commodity Project: Increasing the Rational Use of Modern Contraceptive Methods During the Reproductive Life Cycle (more)
Operations research in Bangladesh sought to increase the appropriate use of contraceptives based on the reproductive life cycle and decrease discontinuation of methods.
(2/2007 - 3/2009)
Bangladesh

Increasing Awareness of Emergency Contraception in Marginalized Communities in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico (more)
Council researchers are collaborating on a study to increase awareness about emergency contraception among marginalized communities in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
(9/2007 - 3/2009)
Mexico

Comprehensive Condom Programming in West Africa (more)
This Council project identified strategies for re-integrating the female and male condom in the national reproductive health and HIV and AIDS programs of Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Mauritania, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.
(1/2008 - 12/2008)
Burkina Faso, Congo, DRC, Liberia, Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone

Demand-based Reproductive Health Commodity Project: Improving the Quality of Family Planning Services for Urban Slum Populations (more)
Population Council research is improving the quality of family planning services for urban slum populations in Bangladesh.
(7/2007 - 12/2008)
Bangladesh

Enhancing Correct Use of Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) and Postabortion Use of Family Planning in Egypt (more)
Researchers with the Council’s FRONTIERS program helped the Egyptian government build its capacity to promote the correct use of the lactational amenorrhea method.
(6/2007 - 1/2008)
Egypt

Increasing the Accessibility and Use of the IUD in India (more)
Council researchers worked with India’s Directorate of Family Welfare to increase awareness of and access to the intrauterine device.
(3/2006 - 2/2008)
India

Introduction of Emergency Contraception into Ministry of Health Programs (more)
In Pakistan, the Council assisted the Ministry of Health in introducing emergency contraception (EC) into its family planning program.
(10/2007 - 2/2008)
Pakistan

Production of an Emergency Contraception Guidance Tool and Summary Article (more)
This global project synthesized and disseminated the experience of programs around the world that have successfully introduced EC into their method mix.
(7/2007 - 5/2008)
Global

Strengthening Emergency Contraception in Nepal (more)
Population Council researchers assisted Nepal’s government in integrating emergency contraception into the country’s family planning program.
(3/2006 - 5/2008)
Nepal

Strengthening Postnatal Care Services Including Early Postpartum Family Planning in Kenya (more)
Council researchers worked with Kenya's Division of Reproductive Health and ACCESS-FP/JHPIEGO to develop and introduce a strengthened postnatal care package for Kenyan women in selected facilities with maternity units.
(8/2006 - 3/2008)
Kenya

Introducing Emergency Contraception in the Mexican Family Planning Norm (more)
Council researchers described how emergency contraception was included in the Mexican Family Planning Norm in order to better understand the barriers and opportunities for getting other essential women’s health drugs approved.
(1/2005 - 12/2007)
Mexico

Pilot Study of Contraception and Abortion in Five Country Settings (more)
Council researchers in Pakistan contributed to a five-country study of contraception and abortion.
(3/2006 - 2/2007)
Pakistan

Scaling Up Emergency Contraceptive Pills to the National Level in Bangladesh (more)
Council researchers with the FRONTIERS program worked the Ministry of Health in Bangladesh to introduce emergency contraceptive pills into the National Family Planning Program.
(7/2003 - 2/2007)
Bangladesh

Scaling Up Reproductive Health Services for Men (more)
Council researchers collaborated in Bangladesh to expand and document the integration of male family planning and reproductive health services from eight to 40 Health and Family Welfare Centers.
(9/2005 - 1/2007)
Bangladesh

Situation Analysis of the Use of Contraception in Postpartum, Postabortion, and Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission (more)
Council researchers with the FRONTIERS program collaborated on an assessment of the use of family planning in postpartum, postabortion, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV services in Haiti.
(1/2006 - 1/2007)
Haiti

Situation Analysis of the Use of Contraception in Postpartum, Postabortion, and Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission (PMTCT) Programs (more)
Council researchers assessed the use of family planning in postpartum, postabortion, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV services in Nicaragua.
(11/2005 - 4/2007)
Nicaragua

Increasing Use of Dual Protection by Rickshaw Pullers in Bangladesh (more)
Council researchers with the FRONTIER program sought to increase knowledge among rickshaw pullers in Bangladesh of the benefits of using condoms for dual protection from STIs and pregnancy.
(10/2004 - 6/2006)
Bangladesh

Community-based services

Taking Critical Services to the Home: Scaling Up Home-based Maternal and Postnatal Care, Including Family Planning, Through Community Midwives (more)
Council research aims to improve access to skilled delivery care, newborn care, and post-delivery family planning services among women living in remote and resource-poor areas.
(1/2007 - 10/2011)
Kenya

Task-sharing between Community Health Workers and Community Mid-level Professionals: Increasing Access to FP and RH Services (more)
With the aim of improving access to family planning and reproductive health services in rural areas, the Council is conducting research to investigate how different cadres of health workers function in relation to each other in five priority countries: Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, and Pakistan.
(10/2010 - 10/2015)
Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Pakistan

Evaluating Voucher-and-Accreditation Interventions to Improve Reproductive Health Service Delivery Business Models (more)
The Population Council is studying health voucher programs in East Africa and South Asia and sharing findings with national and global partners.
(11/2008 - 10/2013)
Bangladesh, Cambodia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda

Family Advancement for Life and Health (FALAH) (more)
FALAH aims to increase the use of family planning and birth spacing in Pakistan by removing barriers to family planning services and improving knowledge.
(6/2007 - 5/2012)
Pakistan

Quality of Care and Client Willingness to Pay for Family Planning Services at Marie Stopes International Facilities in Burkina Faso (more)
The Council worked with Marie Stopes International to improve the family planning services MSI provides, and to propose strategies to ensure the sustainability of the program.
(11/2011 - 4/2012)
Burkina Faso

Designing a Behavior Change Communication Strategy to Improve Family Health Outcomes in Rural Uttar Pradesh (more)
The Council assisted the Government of India in collecting evidence on the factors influencing behavior change in order to recommend an effective strategy that could contribute to improved reproductive, maternal, and child health outcomes in Uttar Pradesh and other northern states in India.
(11/2008 - 3/2011)
India

Reducing Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Through Increased Access to Comprehensive Abortion Care and Family Planning Services in Ghana (more)
The Reducing Maternal Morbidity and Mortality program is supporting the government of Ghana in achieving its contraceptive prevalence goal of 39 percent by 2015 and reducing mortality and morbidity due to unsafe abortion in three focus regions.
(9/2006 - 12/2011)
Ghana

Scaling Up the Provision of Family Planning Messages in Antenatal and Postpartum Services in Upper Egypt (more)
The Population Council is assisting the Government of Egypt in integrating birth spacing and family planning messages into antenatal and postpartum services, with the ultimate goal of helping Egyptian women achieve healthy birth intervals and avoid unplanned, closely spaced pregnancies.
(6/2009 - 4/2011)
Egypt

Designing a Behavior Change Communication Strategy to Improve Family Health Outcomes in Bihar (more)
Council researchers are assisting the Government of India in assessing the factors that influence family health behaviors in Bihar; from the assessment they will recommend a comprehensive behavior change strategy for implementation.
(1/2010 - 12/2010)
India

Planning and Implementing an Essential Package of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services (more)
Based on an extensive literature search, the Population Council has produced an evidence-based framework to guide the design, implementation, and scale-up of integrated sexual and reproductive health services by national programs.
(10/2009 - 12/2009)
Global

Improving the Quality of Family Planning and Reproductive Tract Infection Services for Urban Slum Populations (more)
Population Council research is improving the quality of family planning services for urban slum populations in Bangladesh.
(7/2007 - 12/2008)
Bangladesh

Situation Analysis of the Integration of Family Planning Services in Postpartum, Postabortion, and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Programs in the Dominican Republic (more)
This Council project was designed to assess the use of contraception within services for postpartum care, postabortion care, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
(11/2005 - 4/2007)
Dominican Republic

Postpartum family planning

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)
Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Swaziland

Private/commercial-sector services

Quality of care

Improving the Health of Indigenous Guatemalan Women and Families by Strengthening Quality of Care in Maternity Waiting Homes (more)
Council researchers are developing strategies to ensure that maternity waiting homes are acceptable and used by indigenous women in Guatemala.
(1/2008 - 7/2009)
Guatemala

Feasibility, Effectiveness, and Cost of Models of Integrating Counseling and Testing for HIV Within Family Planning Services in Kenya (more)
Council researchers tested two models of integrating family planning and HIV counseling and testing (C&T) services in Kenya.
(7/2005 - 1/2008)
Kenya

Measuring and Evaluating the Integration of Family Planning and Other Reproductive Health Services Through Innovative Data Collection Instruments and Methodologies (more)
Researchers with the Council’s FRONTIERS program examined the challenges of scaling up projects using operations research.
(8/2007 - 3/2008)
Interregional

Scaling Up Utilization of the Quality Assurance (QA) Checklist in India (more)
Council researchers helped create a manual to enable district-level managers to systematically monitor the quality of reproductive health services in India.
(5/2007 - 2/2008)
India

Technical Assistance for Implementing Best Practices in the Asia and Near East Region (more)
Council researchers worked with local counterparts in two countries to increase the use of proven best practices for identifying clients’ reproductive health needs and promoting the lactational amenorrhea method for postpartum contraception.
(1/2007 - 3/2008)
Egypt, India

Consolidating a Gender Perspective in the PROCOSI Network (more)
Council researchers with the FRONTIERS program collaborated with PROCOSI, a network of NGOs in Bolivia, to test the feasibility and costs of a system for certifying that its member organizations provide gender-sensitive reproductive health services.
(5/2005 - 4/2007)
Bolivia

Extending Operations Research to the Problems of Scale Up: Costs, Compliance, and Effectiveness of Systematic Screening (more)
Council researchers with the FRONTIERS program worked to combine support for scaling up systematic screening with research on specific aspects of the scaling-up process.
(9/2005 - 12/2007)
Bolivia, India, Mali, Senegal

Feasibility, Effectiveness, and Cost of Models of Integrating Counseling and Testing for HIV Within Family Planning Services in South Africa (more)
Council researchers collaborated with the South Africa Department of Health to provide guidance on making counseling and testing for HIV more widely available through family planning services.
(7/2004 - 12/2007)
South Africa

Introducing a Quality and Gender Perspective in Reproductive Health Organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean (more)
Council researchers with the FRONTIERS program conducted a workshop on incorporating a gender-sensitive perspective into reproductive health services.
(5/2007 - 11/2007)
Costa Rica

Female genital mutilation/cutting

Encouraging the Abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) Among the Somali of Kenya (more)
The Council is conducting research in Kenya to inform the design and implementation of interventions to encourage abandonment of FGM/C.
(1/2009 - 1/2010)
Kenya

Evaluation of Centre Djoliba’s Activities Related to the Fight Against FGM/C in Mali (more)
Council researchers evaluated a human- and child-rights–based approach undertaken by the Centre Djoliba in Mali to encourage the abandonment of female genital mutilation/cutting.
(1/2008 - 8/2008)
Mali

Managing and Preventing Female Genital Cutting (FGC) Among the Somali Community in Kenya (more)
Council research in Kenya worked to strengthen antenatal and delivery services in health facilities used by Somali women, among whom female genital cutting is almost universal; the project also includes a community component to encourage discussion and abandonment of FGC.
(6/2005 - 2/2008)
Kenya

Technical Cooperation with the Ministry of Health (MOH)/German Agency for Technical Co-operation (GTZ) Anti-Female Genital Cutting (FGC) Project in Kenya (more)
Council researchers provided technical assistance in support of eliminating FGM/C in Kenya.
(6/2003 - 10/2007)
Kenya

Financial literacy/livelihoods

Reducing HIV Among At-risk Wives in India (RHANI Wives Project) (more)
Council researchers are developing an intervention exclusively for married Indian women to build their negotiation skills with husbands who practice high-risk behaviors.
(4/2009 - 6/2011)
India

Enhancing the Economic, Health, and Social Capabilities of Highly Vulnerable Youth (more)
"Siyakha Nentsha" (isiZulu for "building with young people") is responding to the unmet needs of young people in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and helping them learn how to manage their daily economic, social, and health challenges.
(11/2007 - 11/2010)
South Africa

Gender and Work in the Middle East and North Africa: Research Capacity-building Activities (more)
The Population Council is providing young researchers with mentoring and research peer review so that they may pursue high-quality research in the area of gender and work.
(1/2008 - 1/2010)
Egypt, Jordan, Middle East, Morocco, Sudan

Poverty, Job Quality, and Labor Market Dynamics in the Middle East and North Africa (more)
Council researchers are investigating poverty, job quality, and labor market dynamics in the Middle East and North Africa.
(8/2007 - 7/2009)
Egypt, Jordan, Morocco

The Social Context of Youth Employment: A Qualitative Study of Workforce Entry and Exit (more)
Council researchers are performing a qualitative study of young people’s workforce participation in Egypt.
(3/2005 - 3/2007)
Egypt

HIV and children

HIVCore: Strengthening HIV and AIDS Treatment, Care, and Support, and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Service-delivery Programs (more)
To address critical service-delivery issues in global HIV and AIDS PMTCT and treatment, care, and support programs, HIVCore will evaluate programs, promote use of research results in program decisionmaking, and build local capacity to improve programs' efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of care.
(10/2011 - 9/2016)
Global

Enabling Access to High-quality PMTCT Services by Community and Facility Strengthening in Zimbabwe (more)
Through intensive facility and community-level interventions, the Council and its partners seek to increase prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in the Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe.
(9/2010 - 2/2013)
Zimbabwe

Orphans and vulnerable children

Creating a National Directory of Service Providers for Vulnerable Children (more)
The Council supported the development of a national directory of service providers for vulnerable children in South Africa.
(7/2008 - 6/2011)
South Africa

HIV/AIDS Evaluation, Assessment, and Formative Research (more)
The Council and partners are conducting several research, evaluation, and technical assistance activities on USAID-funded HIV/AIDS programs in Uganda.
(10/2008 - 1/2010)
Uganda

PMTCT and pediatric HIV

AIDS, Population, and Health Integrated Assistance (APHIA II) Operations Research Project (more)
The APHIA II OR project worked with local partners in Kenya to test innovative interventions to ensure high-quality reproductive health, family planning, and HIV/AIDS and related services to better address Kenya’s health needs.
(10/2008 - 2/2012)
Kenya

Pilot-testing the KwaZulu-Natal Integrated Antenatal and Postnatal Policy and Guidelines (more)
Council researchers are conducting a trial of the KwaZulu-Natal ANC/PNC guidelines in three priority districts in South Africa: Amajuba, Zululand, and Umkhanyakude.
(10/2007 - 9/2010)
South Africa

Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of Women Living with HIV in Mexico (more)
The Population Council conducted a qualitative study among HIV-infected women and their health care providers in Mexico.
(1/2008 - 6/2009)
Mexico

Extending Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV Through Postpartum Family Planning (more)
In Lesotho, Council researchers tested the feasibility and effect of a strengthened postpartum care program.
(5/2006 - 5/2008)
Lesotho

Creating Conditions for Implementing a Province-wide Comprehensive, Evidence-based Antenatal and Postnatal Care Package in KwaZulu-Natal (more)
Council researchers assisted in the development of policy to improve antenatal and postnatal care in South Africa.
(12/2004 - 12/2007)
South Africa

HIV biomedical research

Determining the Safety of Sexual Lubricants (more)
Council scientists have conducted biomedical research to better understand the relative safety of personal lubricants used during sexual intercourse.
(1/2000 - ongoing)
United States

In Vitro and In Vivo Testing of Microbicides (more)
Council research is advancing microbicide strategies to prevent dendritic cell–driven infection of HIV across the body surfaces.
(1/2005 - ongoing)
United States

Nonclinical Laboratory Studies: Microbicide Formulation and Delivery (more)
Population Council laboratory scientists are developing vaginal rings and water-based gels to deliver microbicide formulations.
(1/2004 - ongoing)
United States

Nonclinical Laboratory Studies: PC-1005 Gel (Carrageenan with Added MIV-150 and Zinc Salts) (more)
Council scientists are investigating microbicide gels containing carrageenan, MIV-150, and zinc salts that might block acquisition and transmission of HIV.
(1/2004 - ongoing)
United States

Nonclinical Laboratory Studies: PC-700 Series Gels (Carrageenan with Zinc Salts) (more)
Council researchers are studying microbicide gels containing carrageenan and zinc salts that might block acquisition and transmission of herpes and HIV.
(1/2000 - ongoing)
United States

Nonclinical Laboratory Studies: Vaginal Rings Loaded with MIV-150 (more)
Council scientists are conducting studies of vaginal rings releasing MIV-150 that might provide continuous protection from acquisition and transmission of HIV for at least one month.
(1/2007 - ongoing)
United States

Transmission of Immunodeficiency Viruses: Dendritic Cells and Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses (more)
Understanding how human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is transmitted during sexual intercourse and how co-pathogens impact HIV spread is a focus of Council research.
(1/2005 - ongoing)
United States

Role of Integrins in HIV/SIV Transmission Across the Cervico-Vaginal Mucosa (more)
Council researchers are studying the earliest stages of vaginal HIV infection in rhesus macaques.
(3/2012 - 3/2017)
United States

A Novel DARPins Strategy for Combating HIV (more)
Council researchers are exploring the use of DARPins to limit HIV replication in vitro and provide the first tests of this novel antiviral strategy in vivo.
(7/2008 - 6/2014)
Switzerland, United States

Facilitating Regulatory Approval of Multipurpose Prevention Technologies for Reproductive Health (more)
The Population Council is playing a central role in the US Agency for International Development’s effort to clarify and inform regulatory pathways for multipurpose prevention technologies.
(10/2010 - 9/2013)
United States

Impact of Antiretroviral Therapy on Mucosal Immunity (more)
Council researchers are investigating the potential influence of long-term antiretroviral therapy on oral immune function.
(1/2005 - 6/2012)
United States

HIV care, support, and treatment

A Qualitative Exploration of Women Newly Infected with HIV (more)
Interviews conducted by Council researchers will inform ongoing work in the creation of integrated service delivery models.
(1/2008 - ongoing)
South Africa

Fertility Intentions and Reproductive Health Needs of Newly HIV-infected Women (more)
Council researchers conducted a study with women who recently tested HIV-positive to determine their fertility intentions and RH needs.
(1/2008 - ongoing)
South Africa

Integration of Counseling and Testing into Family Planning (more)
The Population Council is assisting in the implementation of provider-initiated HIV counseling within the context of family planning services in South Africa.
(10/2006 - ongoing)
South Africa

Integration of Family Planning into Antiretroviral Treatment (more)
Council researchers are providing assistance in strengthening the provision of FP services to HIV-positive women in South Africa.
(10/2008 - ongoing)
South Africa

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)
Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda

Building and Strengthening the Technical and Institutional Capacities of Government, NGOs, and Implementing Partners to Provide HIV and AIDS Services (more)
The Council is a member of a consortium implementing a project to improve the ability of organizations to deliver services related to HIV and AIDS to most-at-risk, vulnerable, and HIV-positive populations.
(2/2007 - 3/2011)
Bangladesh

Knowing Myself First: Assessing the Feasibility of HIV Self-testing Among Health Workers in Kenya (more)
This study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of HIV home self-testing (HST) among health workers and their partners in Kenya. The study also provided an understanding of operational structures that need to be in place to successfully implement HIV HST for health workers.
(3/2007 - 3/2011)
Kenya

Improving Access to and Delivery of Comprehensive Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for Sexual Assault and Occupational PEP Through Training and Systems Strengthening (more)
Council staff in South Africa are improving access to post-rape care for child and adult survivors of sexual assault as well as occupational PEP for health and emergency care workers on a national scale, in a continuing effort to provide comprehensive post-rape care management and prevent unwanted pregnancies, HIV, and other infections.
(2/2010 - 9/2010)
South Africa

Understanding and Addressing the Sexual and Reproductive Health of Adolescents Living with HIV (more)
The Council’s FRONTIERS program assessed the fertility desires of adolescents living with HIV and developed an intervention to meet those needs.
(3/2007 - 1/2008)
Uganda

HIV prevention

Behavior change

Addis Birhan: Fostering Husbands’ Involvement and Support in Amhara Region, Ethiopia (more)
Addis Birhan promotes HIV prevention by changing social norms and promoting gender-equitable relationships through educating and engaging husbands in issues related to reproductive health, including HIV prevention, family planning, gender violence, alcohol and drug abuse, and domestic responsibilities.
(1/2007 - 12/2013)
Ethiopia

Community Mobilization for Preventive Action (COMPACT) (more)
Council researchers are developing and determining the feasibility of "community compacts" as an innovative approach to prevent HIV in Zambian communities.
(7/2010 - 7/2013)
Zambia

Research and Intervention in Sexual Health: Theory to Action (RISHTA) (more)
A Council program in India has worked to empower local communities and health systems to play a role in preventing HIV transmission among married men and women.
(1/2001 - 8/2013)
India

The AVHI Project: A Peer-driven Approach to Providing Injecting Drug Users with HIV Prevention Services in New Delhi, India (more)
Council researchers aim to avert HIV infections among injecting drugs users (IDUs) and their sexual and injecting partners in Delhi and increase the coverage and uptake of HIV prevention services, including counseling and testing, through an innovative, peer-driven strategy that recruits and enrolls IDUs into a comprehensive HIV prevention program.
(6/2010 - 2/2013)
India

Study of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Urban Men in Pakistan: Identifying the Bridging Population (more)
Council researchers collected data in Pakistan to identify the "bridging population," those who act as the bridge for the spread of STIs and HIV from high-risk groups to the general population.
(4/2007 - 5/2008)
Pakistan

Condoms (male and female)

Acceptability and Use of the Female Condom and Diaphragm Among Sex Workers in the Dominican Republic (more)
Council researchers explored the acceptability and use of barrier methods that protect against HIV and STIs among commercial sex workers.
(1/2006 - 2/2007)
Dominican Republic

Documenting Avahan, the India AIDS Initiative (more)
The Population Council is synthesizing and analyzing the wealth of data collected by Avahan to gain insight that will guide future initiatives for HIV prevention in India and other countries with similar concentrated epidemics.
(1/2009 - 1/2014)
India

Kalkidan ("Keeping the Promise"): Addressing Marital Transmission of HIV in Ethiopia (more)
To address the HIV risks faced by many women within the context of their regular, marital partnerships, the Council and its partners are implementing Kalkidan, a community-based initiative for husbands and wives in low-income areas of urban Ethiopia.
(11/2011 - 10/2014)
Ethiopia

Men’s Health Network Nigeria: Providing Appropriate and Comprehensive Sexual Health and HIV Prevention Services (more)
The Men’s Health Network Nigeria seeks to ensure that all men in Nigeria receive appropriate, comprehensive sexual health and HIV prevention services and targets populations considered most at risk.
(10/2008 - 10/2013)
Nigeria

Biological and Behavioral Surveillance of Most-at-risk Populations in Kenya (more)
In collaboration with the Kenyan government and partners, Council researchers are implementing the first HIV biological and behavioral surveillance surveys to facilitate, inform, and evaluate the impact of HIV preventive interventions for most-at-risk populations (men who have sex with men, sex workers, and injecting drug users).
(7/2010 - 2/2012)
Kenya

Formative Assessment and Mapping of Female Drug Users in Kano, Kaduna, Ogun, and Lagos, Nigeria (more)
Using social media and mobile technology, Council researchers are collecting data on female drug users in Nigeria to increase visibility of and services for this hidden yet highly vulnerable population.
(12/2010 - 5/2011)
Nigeria

Male circumcision

Integrating health services

National Contraceptive Policy Guideline Revision in South Africa (more)
As members of the expert advisory committee, Population Council staff members are involved in a national effort to revise and update the national contraceptive policy in South Africa.
(8/2010 - ongoing)
South Africa

Integrating the Management of STIs/RTIs into Reproductive Health Services in Kenya (more)
The Council supported Kenya's Ministry of Health in adapting WHO’s global guidelines for integrating RTI/STI services into other reproductive health services in primary health care settings.
(5/2007 - 9/2009)
Kenya

Regional Meeting: Including HPV Vaccine Delivery in Reproductive Health Services in Latin America (more)
The Population Council collaborated with the World Health Organization to convene a Latin America and the Caribbean regional meeting to share information on country programs for adolescent health, sexual and reproductive health, cervical cancer prevention, and HPV vaccine introduction in Colombia, Mexico, Panama, and Peru.
(1/2009 - 6/2009)
Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Peru

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)
Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Integrating Tuberculosis Case Finding into Focused Antenatal Care (more)
Council researchers documented the feasibility of integrating TB detection within services for expectant mothers and prevention of mother-to-child transmission.
(8/2005 - 4/2008)
Kenya

Maternal and newborn health

Baby Monitor (more)
This mobile phone application, developed with partners at InSTEDD, takes clinical screening directly to women in the critical period before and after birth using interactive voice response technology to detect complications and take action.
(10/2011 - 9/2013)
Kenya

Heshima: Promoting Dignified and Respectful Care During Childbirth in Kenya (more)
The Population Council was recently awarded a grant to study the level of disrespect and abuse of women that takes place during childbirth in health care facilities in Kenya. The issue is one that concerns three of the Council’s major priorities: maternal health, human rights, and gender.
(2/2011 - 12/2013)
Kenya

Introducing Medical Menstrual Regulation in Bangladesh (more)
Council researchers are conducting operations research to test the feasibility and acceptability of introducing medical menstrual regulation in government and NGO health facilities.
(1/2012 - 6/2013)
Bangladesh

Empowering Indigenous Women in Guatemala to Advocate for Maternal Health Rights (more)
This project strengthened the capacity of indigenous women's advocacy groups to promote their right to culturally appropriate maternal health services in Guatemala.
(9/2009 - 11/2011)
Guatemala

Identifying Mechanisms to Strengthen Facilities Providing Delivery and Newborn Care Services (more)
Although rates of maternal mortality have decreased in Bangladesh, utilization of facility-based delivery care has remained low because of facility shortcomings and service non-availability; the Council conducted this study to determine the sources of these shortcomings and to identify mechanisms to strengthen facilities, thereby increasing facility-based delivery and further reducing maternal and infant mortality in rural Bangladesh.
(2/2011 - 8/2011)
Bangladesh

Increasing Access to Comprehensive Abortion Care Services in India (more)
The Population Council is assessing the effectiveness of a project to reduce constraints on women’s access to safe abortion.
(7/2006 - 3/2011)
India

Pay for Performance (P4P) Operations Research Study (more)
Following a successful feasibility study on introducing a P4P financing scheme, the Population Council is now conducting operations research to test the potential of this service-delivery model to increase utilization of maternal, newborn, and child health care through performance-based payment to providers.
(2/2010 - 6/2011)
Bangladesh

Assessing the Feasibility of Home Administration of Misoprostol in the Prevention of Postpartum Hemorrhage in Rural Pakistan (more)
As part of the PAIMAN project, Council researchers tested the feasibility of home administration of misoprostol to prevent and manage postpartum hemorrhage.
(10/2009 - 10/2010)
Pakistan

Midterm Evaluation of a Project to Fight Obstetric Fistula in the Sahel Region, MOH/UNFPA Intervention Zone (more)
The Population Council is providing technical support to the government in Burkina Faso to reduce the maternal morbidity and mortality caused by obstetric fistula in the Sahel region.
(5/2010 - 7/2010)
Burkina Faso

Strengthening Clinical Services and Health Systems Management in Bolivia (more)
The purpose of the Health Management and Quality Project is to strengthen the public health system in order to improve service quality and coverage, especially in child health, maternal and neonatal health, and infectious diseases.
(5/2005 - 6/2010)
Bolivia

Situation Analysis of Maternal and Neonatal Health Services in Sudan (more)
The Population Council conducted a situation analysis of reproductive health services in Sudan to understand programmatic factors that contribute to the current health status of women and newborns.
(5/2007 - 4/2009)
Sudan

Using Research and Related Evaluation and Dissemination Activities to Strengthen the Mexican '"Building a Pro-Choice Alliance" Consortium (more)
Working with the "Building a Pro-Choice Alliance" Consortium in Mexico, the Council is identifying emblematic cases of abortion service denial, promoting the use of health indicators for legal abortion when pregnancy represents a risk, and building strategies to improve access to medical abortion.
(1/2007 - 12/2009)
Mexico

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)
Kenya, Malawi

Newborn/infant health

Monitoring and Evaluating the Primary Healthcare Revitalization, Integration and Decentralization in Earthquake-affected Areas (PRIDE) Program (more)
In Pakistan, the Council is providing support to the overall monitoring and evaluation functions of the PRIDE program.
(1/2007 - 8/2010)
Pakistan

Health Service Providers and Early Childhood Health and Development (more)
This study uses longitudinal data collected from children and their health care providers to determine the importance of quality of care on child health and development.
(1/2007 - 12/2009)
Philippines

Pakistan Initiative for Mothers and Newborns (PAIMAN) (more)
The Council is overseeing the management of the monitoring and evaluation component of the Pakistan Initiative for Mothers and Newborns (PAIMAN) a five-year project designed to assist the Government of Pakistan in implementing the full spectrum of interventions necessary to address mother and newborn health.
(11/2004 - 9/2009)
Pakistan

Community-based Kangaroo Mother Care to Prevent Neonatal and Infant Mortality (more)
Council researchers measured the effect of community-based kangaroo mother care on neonatal and infant survival as well as birth intervals associated with neonatal and infant survival.
(11/2004 - 3/2008)
Bangladesh

Evaluation of the Integrated Strategy to Reduce Maternal and Neonatal Mortality in Senegal (more)
Council researchers investigated the integrated introduction of active management of the third stage of labor and essential newborn care in five regions in Senegal.
(9/2007 - 10/2007)
Senegal

Postpartum maternal care

Safe pregnancy, antenatal, and delivery care

Studies on Magnesium Sulfate Use to Manage Severe Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia in Oaxaca State, Mexico (more)
The Population Council conducted research on the use and barriers to use of magnesium sulfate for cases of severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in Oaxaca.
(1/2009 - 12/2011)
Mexico

Use of Magnesium Sulfate for Severe Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia in Mexico (more)
Council researchers are conducting a study on the use of magnesium sulfate for pregnant women with pre-eclampsia or eclampsia in Mexico.
(1/2007 - 12/2009)
Mexico

Demand-based Reproductive Health Commodity Project: Voucher Scheme for Poor, Rural Women to Access Pregnancy Care (more)
Council researchers in Bangladesh tested providing financial assistance through vouchers to poor women for maternal health care.
(2/2007 - 9/2008)
Bangladesh

Expanding Access to Magnesium Sulfate in Kano State, Nigeria (more)
Council research helped educate health providers on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and administration of magnesium sulfate as a treatment for pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.
(2/2008 - 12/2008)
Nigeria

Microbicides

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)
Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, United States, Zambia, Zimbabwe

A Simulated Clinical Trial to Explore Willingness to Participate and Methods for Improving Reporting of Adherence Among a Sex-worker Cohort in Nellore, India (more)
A simulated microbicides clinical study is being conducted in India to develop and test strategies for improving recruitment, adherence, and the reporting of adherence for future microbicides clinical trials.
(1/2008 - 1/2012)
India

Clinical Studies: Carraguard® Phase 3 Clinical Trial (more)
Council researchers completed Phase 3 testing of the Council’s candidate microbicide Carraguard.
(3/2004 - 3/2007)
South Africa

New and improved reproductive technologies

Development and Physiology of Leydig Cells (more)
Testosterone production by Leydig cells in the testis is the critical factor ensuring adequate sperm production and male fertility. Council researchers are identifying components that affect testosterone secretion and may offer new avenues for contraception and male hormone therapy.
(1/1998 - ongoing)
United States

Dual Health Benefits: Nestorone
Council scientists at the Center for Biomedical Research are developing safer and more effective long-acting contraceptives that have dual health benefits, using molecules with selective binding to hormone receptors, such as Nestorone®, a derivative of progesterone.
(1/2010 - ongoing)
France, United States

Dual Health Benefits: Ulipristal (more)
Council scientists at the Center for Biomedical Research are developing safer and more effective long-acting contraceptives that have dual health benefits, using molecules with selective binding to hormone receptors, such as ulipristal, a novel progesterone receptor modulator.
(1/2010 - ongoing)
United States

Female Hormone Therapy (more)
Research at the Center for Biomedical Research is part of the Council's ongoing efforts to evaluate the long-term safety of the progesterone receptor modulator CDB-2914 for hormone therapy.
(1/2001 - ongoing)
United States

Nestorone® (more)
Many of the products under development at the Council employ Nestorone, a versatile synthetic progestin similar to the natural hormone progesterone
(1/2005 - ongoing)
United States

Physiology of Sertoli Cells (more)
The goal of Council research on Sertoli cells is the development of safe, reversible male contraceptives.
(1/1995 - ongoing)
United States

Probing Studies in Male Contraception (more)
Council researchers are undertaking research that may lead to novel contraceptive methods for men.
(1/1995 - ongoing)
United States

Technologies for men

MENT® (more)
Council researchers are working to develop methods of contraception for men that contain MENT®, a synthetic steroid that resembles testosterone
(1/2005 - ongoing)
Chile, Dominican Republic, Germany, United Kingdom, United States

Physiology of Sertoli Cells (more)
The goal of Council research on Sertoli cells is the development of safe, reversible male contraceptives.
(1/1995 - ongoing)
United States

Probing Studies in Male Contraception (more)
Council researchers are undertaking research that may lead to novel contraceptive methods for men.
(1/1995 - ongoing)
United States

Subdermal Implants for Men (more)
Studies have found that men are interested in taking more responsibility for family planning; an implant for men is the Council's lead product in male contraception.
(1/2005 - ongoing)
Chile, Dominican Republic, Germany, United Kingdom, United States

Transdermal Delivery Systems for Men (more)
Council research has demonstrated that MENT permeates the skin significantly better than two other androgens and is safe for further development as a hormone therapy method for men.
(1/2005 - ongoing)
Chile, United States

Technologies for women

Emergency Contraceptive Potential of Products Under Development (more)
Many contraceptive products may have utility as emergency contraceptive methods; the Council is evaluating the potential of selected candidate products.
(1/2005 - ongoing)
United States

Transdermal Delivery Systems for Women: Contraceptive Gel (more)
Council scientists are developing a contraceptive gel that is absorbed through the skin.
(1/2005 - ongoing)
United States

Transdermal Delivery Systems for Women: Spray-on Contraceptive (more)
Council researchers are developing a transdermal spray-on contraceptive that makes use of the synthetic progestin Nestorone.
(1/2007 - ongoing)
Australia, United States

One-year Combination Vaginal Ring, Phase 3 Study (more)
The NES/EE vaginal ring is a user-controlled method that can be reused for one year.
(9/2005 - 6/2009)
Americas, Australia, Europe, United States

CDB-2914 Intrauterine Delivery System (more)
Council biomedical researchers are developing an intrauterine contraceptive delivery system that releases a novel progesterone receptor modulator.
(1/2005 - 1/2007)
United States

Population policy and demographic analysis

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)
Guatemala, Liberia, Malawi

The End of the Fertility Transition in the Developing World (more)
Future declines in fertility in some developing countries may not be as rapid as in the past, and in a number of countries fertility may stall above the replacement level for a prolonged period.
(1/1997 - ongoing)
Developing Countries

Reproductive health biomedical research

Action of Endocrine Disrupters on Leydig Cells (more)
Diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) is a suspected endocrine-disrupting chemical that is a common constituent of flexible plastics; Council research is investigating the effect of DEHP on the function of Leydig cells, the cells responsible for making testosterone.
(4/1999 - ongoing)
United States

Germ Cell Dynamics (more)
Basic research at the Council's Center for Biomedical Research seeks to identify genetic mechanisms resulting in infertility in mice that might be used to develop new forms of male contraception.
(1/1998 - ongoing)
United States

In Search of Stem Leydig Cells: Identification, Isolation, and Development (more)
Leydig cells secrete the male hormone testosterone needed for fertility and formation of the male body plan; Council research seeks to understand the cellular controls of testostorone production in Leydig cells.
(1/1995 - ongoing)
United States

Physiology of Sertoli Cells (more)
The goal of Council research on Sertoli cells is the development of safe, reversible male contraceptives.
(1/1995 - ongoing)
United States

Sperm Maturation (more)
Council researchers are working to identify the switch that activates sperm so that it can be turned on in infertile men and turned off when contraception is desired.
(7/2002 - ongoing)
United States

Studies on the Function of the Annulus of the Sperm Tail (more)
The annulus on the sperm tail is critical for sperm function; Council research on the annulus may lead to the development of a novel, reversible male contraceptive
(1/2003 - ongoing)
United States

The Biology of Blood–Testis Barrier Dynamics (more)
Population Council researchers have been investigating innovative ways to regulate the blood–testis barrier in spermatogenesis, which will likely lead to the development of novel male contraceptives.
(2/2009 - 3/2014)
United States

Dual-protection Contraceptive Ring (more)
Council researchers are collaborating to develop a dual-protection contraceptive ring that protects against both pregnancy and HIV.
(10/2009 - 11/2010)
United States

RTIs/STIs

Safe abortion and postabortion care

Expanding the MVA Provider Base in India: The Feasibility of Provision of Abortion by Mid-level Providers (more)
In India, Council staff members are working to make it possible for nurses to provide manual vacuum aspiration, thereby reducing death and injury associated with unsafe abortion.
(6/2007 - 6/2011)
India

Investigating Provider-level Factors Facilitating and Impeding Women's Access to Medical Abortion in India (more)
A Council study in India found that although medical abortion is provided by both certified and uncertified providers, awareness of the method is limited, national guidelines are not necessarily followed, and attitudes about expanding the provider base to include midlevel providers are generally unfavorable.
(11/2009 - 12/2011)
India

Evaluation of the Replication of the Community Postabortion Care (COMMPAC) Model in Kenya (more)
The Council engaged in a replication of the COMMPAC model in Kenya's Rift Valley Province to increase access to postabortion care services by enhancing knowledge of sources of care and reducing fear of stigma, dissatisfaction with provider attitudes and performance, cost of services, and other barriers to care.
(8/2009 - 6/2010)
Kenya

Health Providers' Opinions of and Experiences with Legal Abortion in Mexico City (more)
Population Council researchers conducted in-depth interviews with health care providers to explore their experiences with and opinions of legal abortion.
(12/2008 - 8/2009)
Mexico

Public Opinion About the Legalization of Abortion in Mexico City (more)
Council researchers conducted three representative abortion public opinion studies among Mexico City residents just prior to and one and two years after the groundbreaking legalization of abortion.
(4/2007 - 5/2009)
Mexico

Women's Experiences with Legal Abortion in Mexico City (more)
Council researchers conducted in-depth interviews with women who accessed legal abortion in Mexico City clinics.
(9/2008 - 3/2009)
Mexico

Assessing Management Sciences for Health's Postabortion Care Decentralization Program (more)
Council researchers with the FRONTIERS program assessed the successful introduction of postabortion care in Senegal by the Ministry of Health.
(9/2006 - 1/2007)
Senegal

Estimating the Incidence of Induced Abortion in Mexico (more)
Council researchers studied the incidence of induced abortion in Mexico.
(7/2006 - 12/2007)
Mexico

Sexual and gender-based violence

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)
Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Special Initiative on Sexual and Gender-based Violence (more)
The Population Council led a pre-intervention assessment to evaluate health provider readiness to provide clinical sexual violence services, and discovered that providers are ill-equipped to provide care despite their willingness and knowledge of the issues.
(10/2009 - 11/2010)
Rwanda, Uganda

Traditional Leaders' Response to Sexual and Gender-based Violence in South Africa (more)
Population Council researchers are further investigating the potential of traditional leaders in South African communities to advocate for and initiate prevention and management interventions for victims of sexual and gender-based violence.
(5/2009 - 2/2010)
South Africa

Improving the Health Care Response to Gender-based Violence in Vietnam (more)
The Population Council is continuing community- and hospital-based interventions to address gender-based violence in Vietnam.
(1/2005 - 10/2009)
Vietnam

Assessment of Gender-based Violence in Kenya's North Eastern Province (more)
A qualitative assessment of gender-based violence among the Somali population in Wajir District in North Eastern Kenya identified a critical need for, and possible components of, a comprehensive and culturally appropriate model for the prevention and management of sexual and gender-based violence.
(1/2008 - 12/2008)
Kenya

Comprehensive Care for Survivors of Sexual Violence in Zambia (more)
This study uses the introduction of emergency contraception (EC) as a catalyst for increasing sexual assault survivors’ access to a broad spectrum of health, forensic, legal, and psychosocial services.
(1/2005 - 12/2008)
Zambia

Social isolation/support

Strengthening health systems

Health care financing

Assessing the Need and Opportunities for Improved Linkages Between Conditional Cash Transfers and Reproductive Health Programs in the Latin America and Caribbean Region (more)
The Council’s FRONTIERS program documented conditional cash transfer programs in six countries to determine how they could be better linked to reproductive health programs.
(6/2007 - 2/2008)
Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Peru

Financial Sustainability of Rampura and Bashabo Clinics in Bangladesh (more)
Council researchers with the FRONTIERS program worked with the Population Services and Training Centre in Bangladesgh to improve the financial sustainability of two clinics.
(11/2005 - 4/2007)
Bangladesh

Monitoring and evaluation

Scaling up interventions

Strengthening the Health Management Information System (HMIS) in Thai Nguyen Province, Vietnam (more)
Council researchers evaluated and are working to improve Thai Nguyen's HMIS through developing a computerized HMIS, using software to improve the accuracy of the health data collected, and increasing use of HMIS data to improve health care.
(3/2009 - 3/2012)
Vietnam

Supporting Capacity Building and Research in Vietnam (more)
Population Council staff are mobilizing and enhancing postgraduate public health research capacity in Vietnam.
(2/2002 - 3/2011)
Vietnam

Developing the Capacity of Community-based NGOs for Improved Health Services (more)
In Burkina Faso, the Council assisted in building the capacity of community-based organizations to provide high-quality health services in south-central Burkina Faso.
(4/2009 - 12/2009)
Burkina Faso

Urbanization, health, and the environment

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)
Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa

Vulnerable populations

Injecting drug users

Men who have sex with men

Mobile populations

People living with HIV

Sex workers

Stigma and discrimination

What's New

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