Adolescence

Interventional studies to

provide life skills to early school leavers

overcome barriers for sexual and reproductive health education

Service delivery model to overcome constraints for reproductive health services to adolescents

Baseline data on chronology of pubertal changes

In depth study on sexual behaviour

In depth study on sexual abuse

Maternal Health 

Customized Symphysio Fundal Height Charts and National birth weight assessment

National survey on maternal morbidity

Prevalence, early screening and pre conception assessment on medical disorders complicating pregnancy 

Interventional studies to reduce prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia 

Postnatal morbidity and quality of care

Maternal morbidity and mortality in conflict areas, remote areas, estate sector and tsunami affected areas

Perinatal health

Growth charts to establish gestational age specific birth weight centiles for Sri Lanka

Normograms for fetal ultrasound scan measurements throughout pregnancy

Interventional studies to reduce static perinatal mortality

Fetal/neonatal outcome in relation to mode of delivery and iatrogenic prematurity 

Perinatal morbidity and mortality in conflict areas, remote areas, estate sector and tsunami affected areas

Risk factors for and early screening for fetal anomalies

RTI & Reproductive tract malignancies (including breast cancer)

Interventional studies for prevention, screening and early diagnosis of reproductive tract infections and reproductive tract and breast cancer through well women clinics and youth friendly health services

Infertility

Community surveys on infertility via enhancing existing methods and quality of data collection for reproductive health statistics

Multicentre aetiological studies

Psychological impact of infertility

Assisted Reproductive Technology – Development of low cost treatment protocols, Development of National guidelines for management protocols and ethical issues

Abortion

Development of a health care package for post abortion care and counseling

Service gaps in relation to abortion

Induced abortion – public opinion and knowledge, attitudes and influences among youth

Family Planning

Emergency contraception

Unmet needs and traditional methods

Contraceptive failure

Non use of modern methods by educational status

Family planning among commercial sex workers

Menopause and male aging

Quality of life in relation to menopause and male aging

Health care delivery

Gender related issues

Interventional studies on gender related violence

Reproductive Health Services

Cost benefit analysis of available packages and new packages to be introduced

Quality of care

Staffing related issues - Audit and training

Pilot studies in conflict areas, remote areas, estate sector and tsunami affected areas on the status of services

1. Family planning usage:

    -Traditional Family Planning methods

    -Unwanted pregnancies/ unsafe abortion

2. Adolescent health

    -Behavior/ Health Issues/ Puberty

3. Sexuality and issues related/ gender equality

4. Sub fertility

5. Post reproductive health – health issues associated with post reproductive life

6. Environment occupational effects on reproductive health

7. Maternal Health issues/ Quality assurance in MCH services

8. Violence against women

9. Malignancies in reproductive system

10. Reproductive tract infections

11. Foetal programming and impact on later life

Current Regional Priorities endorsed by Regional Advisory Panel for Asia and Pacific / RHR Department / WHO / Geneva.

Making pregnancy safer ( maternal and neonatal health )

Unmet needs for Family Planning

Adolescent Reproductive Health

RTI / STI

Unsafe abortion

* With the rapidly rising rates of HIV infection in the region, linking Reproductive Health issues with prevention and care is critical.

* The following strategic directions should be noted:

A shift in emphasis on operations or programmatic research

Inclusion of research capacity building with conduct of research.

Research Priority Areas identified as nationally important by National Co-ordinating Committee – RHR. 

Family planning usage : Traditional Family Planning methods / Unwanted pregnancies / Unsafe abortion

Adolescent health : Behaviour / Health Issues / Puberty

Sexuality and issues related / Gender equality

Sub fertility

Post reproductive health: health issues associated with post reproductive life.

Environmental occupational effects on reproductive health 

Maternal Health issues / Quality assurance in MCH services

Violence against women

Malignancies in reproductive system

Reproductive tract infections

Foetal programming and impact on later life. 

Priority Research Areas in Reproductive Health as Relevant to Sri Lanka – November 1989

Maternal Health :

Maternal mortality and morbidity

Maternal Care services

Approximate technology for provision of maternal care

Abortion

Health consequences of reproduction and contraception

Reproduction performance among working women

2. Perinatal Mortality and Low birth weight (LBW)

3. Research aimed at achieving zero population growth

Low acceptance of modern temporary methods

Traditional methods of contraception

Postpartum contraception 

Inadequate availability of ‘new’ temporary methods of contraception

Training of health care workers

4. Sexually transmitted diseases (STD)

5. Reproductive health among adolescents

6. Infertility ( Epidemiological studies )

7. Child helath and survival

Morbidity and mortality among pre-school children

Handicapped child

Problem of Children of migrant mothers