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Review of contributions from HDSS s to research in sexual and reproductive health in low‐ and middle‐income countries
Author(s) -
Arthur Samuelina,
Bangha Martin,
Sankoh Osman
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1111/tmi.12209
Subject(s) - reproductive health , medicine , family planning , attendance , fertility , psychological intervention , population , environmental health , economic growth , nursing , economics , research methodology
Objective To evaluate the contributions of the INDEPTH Network of health and demographic surveillance system ( HDSS ) members to research efforts and interventions on reproductive health in low‐ and middle‐income countries ( LMIC s). Methods Review of peer‐reviewed published papers on sexual and reproductive health ( SRH ) that use the HDSS framework through (i) an online search for publications using terminology related to HDSS , HIV , Maternal health, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, family planning/contraceptives and fertility, and (ii) asking INDEPTH member centres for information on their published papers on SRH publications that used the HDSS framework. A paper was included in the review only if it used HDSS data, dealt with SRH issues, and had been published in a peer‐reviewed international journal. Results Most of the papers in the review focused on HIV , maternal health, family planning and adolescent sexual and reproductive health ( ASRH ). Generally, people are knowledgeable about HIV . School attendance considerably delays entry into motherhood and reduces the probability of entering into early marriage or sexual union. The general decline in maternal mortality over the last decade is partly due to better access to emergency obstetric services, improved education of women and reduction in fertility. Conclusion Sexual and reproductive health is a significant public health need, yet little research has been published in this area to inform policy. The HDSS framework is ideal for SRH research, as it offers the advantage to track and monitor progress of relevant health and demographic indicators, especially in family planning, marriage and fertility studies.