The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #58554

Matthew P. Tiedemann, MA, Field, Information and Training Services Department, Family Health International, P.O. Box 13950, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, 919-544-7040, mtiedemann@fhi.org

Reproductive health research is not an end in itself but rather should be used to improve reproductive health service delivery, policies, and practices around the world. In resource-constrained settings in particular, research and practice should be closely integrated to ensure greatest return on investment in both spheres.

To address this issue, Family Health International created the Research to Practice Initiative in mid-2001 to enhance reproductive health practice by bringing the best evidence to bear on programs and policies. FHI seeks to promote increased use of research results and program findings by international normative bodies, Ministries of Health, service delivery agencies, and service providers worldwide, working in partnership with local stakeholders and local and international service delivery agencies to identify and promote relevant global research findings. These partners in turn provide guidance to FHI so that research conducted is relevant to their needs and political realities.

This session will review conceptual considerations for promoting increased utilization of RH research and for enhancing input from service delivery practitioners into the research-setting process. It will then present a case study of FHI’s experience in promoting utilization by examining successful and less-successful uptake of research findings, including rehabilitating the IUD in Kenya, use of a checklist to rule out pregnancy in a number of settings, and uptake of an improved vasectomy technique in Nepal. Resources for RH research utilization will be provided.

Learning Objectives:

After this session the participant will be able to:
• Articulate the primary factors hindering and facilitating use of reproductive health research findings.
• Evaluate which factors may influence his/her own research, policy, or service delivery work.
• Identify concrete ways to promote increased use of research findings.

Keywords: Reproductive Health Research, Utilization

Related Web page: www.fhi.org/en/fp/service/rtop.html

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.