6867 research outputs found
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Gloria Seruwagi reflects on the work of the Baobab Research Programme Consortium
No full textFor World Refugee Day, Gloria Seruwagi, Research Uptake Manager, reflects on the Population Council\u27s work on the Baobab Research Programme Consortium (RPC). From conducting the first-ever Humanitarian Violence against Children Survey to co-creating interventions with refugee communities, Baobab RPC demonstrates how to move research to action
Examining factors associated with post-abortion family planning among women in refugee settings in Uganda
No full textProactively offering voluntary post-abortion family planning (PAFP) counselling and services at the same time and location where postabortion care is provided is a recommended practice to reduce unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions. However, adoption of PAFP is still low, and the factors influencing its acceptance, particularly in humanitarian contexts, are not fully understood. This study examined factors associated with the uptake of PAFP among women receiving post-abortion care (PAC) in refugee settings in Uganda and explored whether the woman’s perceived quality of PAC influenced uptake of PAFP. Patients receiving PAC in refugee settings in Uganda reported moderate to high quality of care, with notable shortcomings primarily in the areas of communication and autonomy. The way women perceived their quality of care did not have a significant impact on whether she left with a family planning method. Factors such as having earned money in the last month and desire to leave with a method were strongly associated with PAFP uptake. Our results emphasize the low adoption of PAFP in refugee settings in Uganda, indicating the need for focused strategies that enhance family planning use while respecting reproductive autonomy. It is important to reinforce family planning counseling as an integral component of PAC services and to enhance the quality of PAC services, paying special attention to communication and patient autonomy
Impact of Covid-19 on antenatal care: Evidence from Madagascar Demographic and Health Survey
No full textDespite the growing literature on the impact of Covid-19 on antenatal care (ANC) and maternal/neonatal and child health outcomes globally, substantial knowledge gaps remain about the population-level impact in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Existing evidence on the ANC impact of Covid-19 in SSA is largely based on health facility or small-scale qualitative research, which are limited in providing population-level understanding. This paper examines the extent to which Covid-19 impacted ANC service utilisation and identifies what population sub-groups were most adversely impacted. It is based on a secondary analysis of the Madagascar Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), the first DHS in SSA released following the Covid-19 pandemic. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the net effect of Covid-19 on ANC and identify the most at-risk population sub-groups. The findings show that all ANC measures considered (no ANC, early ANC, adequate ANC visits) were significantly affected by Covid-19 (p\u3c0.05). On average, Covid-19 was associated with a 42% increase in the odds of having no ANC, a 22% reduction in the odds of starting early ANC during the first trimester, and a 22% reduction in the odds of receiving adequate ANC (at least four visits, starting during the first trimester). Births to older mothers and to mothers with no education were disproportionately affected during Covid-19. Although youth aged 15-24 had poorer ANC compared to older women before the pandemic, the pattern was reversed during the pandemic. Also, the protective effect of education was stronger during than before the pandemic. These findings underscore the importance of Covid-19 impact mitigation strategies targeting the most at-risk groups (e.g. older mothers). Furthermore, essential information/education during pandemics should be in formats accessible to non-literate women. This paper advances understanding of the population-level impact of Covid-19 on ANC and emphasises the need for further research to better understand the population-level impact of Covid-19 across countries of SSA
Ethiopia Humanitarian Violence Against Children and Youth Survey, 2024: Summary report
Full text linkViolence Against Children (VAC) refers to all forms of abuse or maltreatment of people under the age of 18 years. The Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS), led by national governments with technical assistance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as part of the Together for Girls partnership, have documented the magnitude and prevalence of physical, emotional, and sexual violence against children in more than 20 low- and middle-income countries, with a view to informing national prevention and response programs. Despite the precedent for understanding the extent of VAC from the perspectives of adolescents and pre-adolescent children, interest in systematic documentation of similar experiences of children in humanitarian settings is just emerging, following the development of guidance for the implementation of VACS in such contexts. This report presents key findings from the second VACS conducted exclusively in a humanitarian context—specifically, in refugee settings in Ethiopia. The survey is referred to as the Ethiopia Humanitarian VAC Survey (HVACS)
Asking and telling in humanitarian contexts: A feasibility assessment of para-social worker-led screening for sexual violence against children in Uganda
Full text linkThis intervention study focuses on an adapted version of a school-based response and prevention model that involves having trained para-social workers (PSWs) screen children primary school pupils for sexual violence and link survivors identified through this process to care. Situated in a refugee settlement in Uganda, the study finds that screening of this sort is feasible for PSWs to conduct, and effectively promotes sexual violence disclosure, in addition to enhancing the uptake of sexual violence services
Donor Roundtable—Sustaining Progress: Investing in adolescent girls amidst global challenges
No full textThe Coalition for Adolescent Girls (CAG) in collaboration with Akili Dada convened a virtual donor roundtable on Sustaining Progress: Investing in adolescent girls amidst global challenges, on June 4, 2025.
The purpose of the roundtable was to assess the impact of recent funding freezes and policy shifts, explore sustainable financing solutions, and reaffirm a shared commitment to the rights and well-being of adolescent girls. The event brought together funders, CAG members, and partners for a strategic dialogue on sustaining and strengthening existing investments. We anticipate that this convening will lead to renewed stakeholder commitments to sustained, impactful support for adolescent girls’ programs and policies
Digital tracking of girls exposed to community led alternative rites of passage to prevent female genital mutilation/cutting, and child, early and forced marriages in Kenya: A longitudinal study
No full textIntroduction: Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and child marriage (CEFM) are harmful practices that are a human rights violation. For decades, many interventions have been implemented to end these practices. One such intervention is the Alternative Rite of Passage (ARP), which allows girls to go through a meaningful rite of passage without the cut. The ARPs have come under scrutiny due to a lack of data to show how effective ARPs have been. This study aimed to establish the effect of the Community-Led Alternative Rite of Passage (CL-ARP) model on incidences of FGM/C, CEFM and keeping girls and young women in school. Methods: The study adopted a longitudinal design where girls and young women were enrolled into the CL-ARP programme and later followed up for over three years to assess the effectiveness of the CL-ARP model in preventing incidences of FGM/C, CEFM and keeping girls in school. A total of 2,647 girls aged 10–23 years who resided in Kajiado County were recruited and followed up post-exposure to CL-ARP. Data analysis involved conducting descriptive and logistic regression analyses. Results: The CL-ARP programme kept 98% of girls free of FGM/C, 99% free of CEFM and 98% kept in school. 41 cases of FGM/C, 12 cases of CEFM and 48 cases of school dropouts were reported three years post-exposure. Girls who underwent FGM/C had been kept free of FGM/C for an average of 39.5 months, those who experienced CEFM had been kept free of CEFM for an average of 40.2 months, and those who dropped out of school had been kept in school for an average of 38.5 months. Girls and young women who experienced instances of threats/violence were more likely to experience FGM/C, CEFM and drop out of school than those who had not. Conclusions: The CL-ARP programme was successful in keeping the majority of girls and young women free of FGM/C and CEFM, and retained in school post-enrollment. Reported cases of FGM/C, CEFM and school dropouts underline the importance of considering other contextual factors such as gender-based violence that may continue to put girls and young women at risk despite embracing CL-ARP
The social life of the Abriendo Oportunidades® Program in Guatemala: Three decades of enabling community and civic spaces for Indigenous girls and women
No full textSince 2004, Abriendo Oportunidades® (Opening Opportunities, AO) has emerged as a gender transformative social program to support Indigenous girls and young women in Guatemala’s post-war context. Following an evidence-based, community-anchored approach, AO began as a program and has evolved into a social movement. AO has continuously demonstrated its impact in reducing girls’ exposure to gender-based violence and pioneered alternative education through utilizing mentors as tutors. Over time, AO has successfully reached more than 25,000 Indigenous girls and adolescents across 500+ rural Guatemala communities and built a pathway of professional opportunities for the young women who lead the program. AO is a living example of Population Council’s stewardship in Guatemala and the Mesoamerica region, as this work has left a meaningful footprint in Belize, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Mexico. This brief is part of the Abriendo Oportunidades® Legacy Series, celebrating and highlighting 20 years of impactful program implementation
Progesterone and progestins in women’s health
No full textProgesterone is a steroid hormone that is essential for the regulation of reproductive function. Progesterone and progestins have been approved for a number of indications including the treatment of irregular and anovulatory menstrual cycles and, when combined with estrogen, for contraception, and the prevention of endometrial hyperplasia in menopausal hormonal therapy (MHT) regimens. Lack of understanding between the differences in categories of the progestins with the physiological progesterone hormone has resulted in considerable controversy surrounding the use of progestins for HRT regimens. Considerable evidence suggests that there are distinct differences between the molecules and there is no progestin class effect, with regard to benefits or side-effects.In addition to its role in reproduction, progesterone regulates a number of biologically distinct processes in other tissues, particularly in the nervous system and the vessels. It is hoped that a better understanding of the mechanism of action of progesterone and the properties of selected progestins will help in defining better therapies for men and women
