External evaluation 2003–2007 - Impact of HRP research in maternal and perinatal care: a case-study
UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction
Overview
The work of HRP on maternal and perinatal health between 2003 and 2007 included trials on the prevention and management of pre-eclampsia, an assessment of the maternal and neonatal consequences of female genital mutilation and scaling-up of a new approach to antenatal care. The last activity – the WHO antenatal care model for translating vidence-based interventions into policy and practice – combined work on best practices, safe motherhood and control of sexually transmitted infections, and is relevant for lowincome countries in which maternal health must be improved [Millennium Development Goal 5 (MDG5)].
METHODS: Publications, technical reports, ‘grey’ literature and a site visit to Thailand provided the basis for evaluating the new approach in operation. Meetings with policy-makers, health-care providers and mothers and an e-mail questionnaire to elicit expert opinion provided information on experiences, potential barriers and facilitators of use of the model.