XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/1 Quality and impact of Social Science and Operations Research by the Special Programme in Human Reproduction Department of Reproductive Health and Research World Health Organization

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/2 Plan of presentation Background to reproductive health research at WHO Social science and operations research Review procedures for quality of research Evaluating the impact of research

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/3 Original (1971) goals of the Programme Increase understanding of the human reproductive process Develop a variety of safe, acceptable and effective methods for the regulation of human fertility

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/4 Original objectives Improve the quality and expand the quantity of multi-disciplinary research Conduct collaborative clinical studies of fertility regulating agents on a global basis Organise multi-centred research teams Improve communication and collaboration among scientists Increase the number of scientists in the field of human reproduction

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/5 Current mandate 66. The World Health Organization in co- operation with other relevant United Nations bodies is urged to fulfil its leadership role within the United Nations system in assisting countries, in particular developing countries, to put in place standards for the care and treatment for women and girls…and to advise on functions that health facilities should perform to help guide the development of health systems to reduce the risks associated with pregnancy… (ICPD+5 Key actions)

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/6 Objectives To promote, facilitate and conduct research to improve reproductive health To support countries with knowledge and tools to formulate policies and strategies to implement appropriate interventions to improve reproductive health To strengthen the capacity for reproductive health research in developing countries

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/7 Priority Areas of Work Unsafe abortion Adolescent reproductive health Fertility regulation Maternal health RTIs/cervical cancer FGM / harmful practices Planning and programming

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/8 The Programme’s Research Type of research: Bio-medical; epidemiological and social science and operations research Coverage: Global and regional Topics: Related to priorities in reproductive health Conducting research: Through collaborating centres or individual national researchers

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/9 Major Social Science research initiatives since 1990 Determinants & Consequences of Induced Abortion [27 Projects ] Sexual Behaviour & Reproductive Health [38 projects] Reproductive Health in South Asia [14 projects] Determinants & Consequences of Induced Abortion [27 Projects ] Sexual Behaviour & Reproductive Health [38 projects] Reproductive Health in South Asia [14 projects]

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/10 Major Social Science research initiatives since 1990 Role of Men in Reproductive Health [17 projects] Pregnancy Prevention in the era of HIV/STIs [7 projects] Adolescent sexual and reproductive health [31 projects] Quality of care in reproductive health [on-going] Role of Men in Reproductive Health [17 projects] Pregnancy Prevention in the era of HIV/STIs [7 projects] Adolescent sexual and reproductive health [31 projects] Quality of care in reproductive health [on-going]

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/11 Number of projects, by topic,

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/12 Guiding principles for support Research is to be of high relevance to country needs with potential for impact Research in partnership with local institution(s) and the Government

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/13 Guiding principles for support By local researcher(s) Scientifically sound and ethically acceptable Focussed, in-depth and small scale

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/14 Procedures to ensure quality of research proposals Scientific review by an independent Panel of scientists Projects approved by the Panel are reviewed by an independent Scientific and Ethical Review Group (SERG)

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/15 Monitoring the quality of the research programme and assessing progress An independent Scientific and Technical Advisory Group (STAG) –Regional Advisory Panels –Gender Advisory Panel Policy and Co-ordination Committee (PCC) Occasional evaluation

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/16 Impact evaluation 1989 Review team: 6 internationally renowned scientists with no affiliation to the Programme Criteria for evaluation: Relevance to developing countries; impact of research; capacity- building Procedures: –Review of published material –Interviews with “stake holders” –Site-visits to selected countries

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/17 Impact evaluation 2001 Criteria: Relevance to developing countries; impact of research and capacity-building Process: Open for bids

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/18 Searching for the impact!

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/19 The focus on “impact” Who is asking? Donors to the Programme World Health Assembly Other “stake holders” Programme Committees/Panels Staff (from investigators) Who is asking? Donors to the Programme World Health Assembly Other “stake holders” Programme Committees/Panels Staff (from investigators)

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/20 Review Form for proposals Overall assessment and feasibility: Please comment on the overall quality of this project. Policy relevance: Does the project - including its objectives and expected outcomes - have potential policy relevance? Other: objectives, study design, sampling, conceptual framework, field procedures, and analysis plans Overall assessment and feasibility: Please comment on the overall quality of this project. Policy relevance: Does the project - including its objectives and expected outcomes - have potential policy relevance? Other: objectives, study design, sampling, conceptual framework, field procedures, and analysis plans

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/21 Ethical considerations: Please comment briefly on the ethical aspects of this proposal, including any problem you foresee with the informed consent procedures and forms.

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/22 Mechanisms to promote impact of Social Science & Operations Research Support and encouragement to investigators “Policy briefs” & “Press release” Developing guidelines, incorporating findings Publication and dissemination Support and encouragement to investigators “Policy briefs” & “Press release” Developing guidelines, incorporating findings Publication and dissemination

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/23 Expectations & Process Indicators Policy formation and change (reference to project or project findings) Changes in service provision IEC material for local communities Publication and dissemination of information Policy formation and change (reference to project or project findings) Changes in service provision IEC material for local communities Publication and dissemination of information

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/24 When research is likely to produce impact? Addressing a local issue of high priority with involvement of Government agency/officials (e.g., provision of IUDs by midwives in Turkey) Dealing with sensitive issues (e.g., abortion in Mauritius and sexual behaviour in Argentina) When local investigator(s) is committed (e.g., in Argentina, Colombia, Kenya, Nepal) Addressing a local issue of high priority with involvement of Government agency/officials (e.g., provision of IUDs by midwives in Turkey) Dealing with sensitive issues (e.g., abortion in Mauritius and sexual behaviour in Argentina) When local investigator(s) is committed (e.g., in Argentina, Colombia, Kenya, Nepal)

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/25 When research is likely to produce impact? Part of a research initiative or of a collaborative research (e.g., abortion research initiative and many epidemiological studies on IUDs; DMPA; oral contraceptives)

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/26 Quality of research and the impact of research Difficult to attribute the “impact” to research, let alone to the quality of research Quality research is essential, but may have no bearing on policies/programmes Difficult to attribute the “impact” to research, let alone to the quality of research Quality research is essential, but may have no bearing on policies/programmes

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/27 Just tell me what is the most important factor in making an impact!

XXX_DECRIPT_MON00/28 The INVESTIGATOR is by far the most important in the set of facilitating factors.