Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Repository
The Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Repository, managed by the Aga Khan University Libraries, is a digital repository offering a central location for the deposit, maintenance and long-term preservation of the research and other scholarly production on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Repository in Eastern Mediterranean Region. One of our key missions is to ensure that these scholarly and creative endeavors are accessible to the widest possible audience. Candidates for deposit in SRHR Repository include guidelines: Guidelines, SRHR Evidence (including best practice, Systematic reviews), SRHR Policies and strategic plans (resolutions), Training resources (including regional resources), Monitoring & Evaluation Tools (including surveys), Statistics and SRHR Communication Material (Digital Media (Videos / Infographics). For more information about submitting your work to SRHR IR, please contact us at repositorysrhr@gmail.com
Recent Submissions
Item Climate change and sexual and reproductive health and rights research in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review(BMJ Publishing Group, 2024-08-24)Introduction: This study aimed to provide an overview of the research landscape and to identify research gaps linking climate change events and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the negative impacts of climate change are most severe. Methods: We conducted a scoping review to map research studies that link climate change events or factors and SRHR aspects in LMICs. We performed a structured literature search across six databases to identify relevant peer-reviewed publications between January 1994 and 6 September 2023. The literature search yielded 14 674 peer-reviewed articles. After screening, 75 articles were included, spanning 99 countries across the globe. Results: Climate change events such as extreme temperatures, drought, rainfall shocks, cyclones and floods were found to be associated with negative maternal and newborn health outcomes ranging from reduced or low birth weight, preterm births and low Apgar scores, to lack of pregnancy care, pregnancy complications, stillbirths, and newborn and maternal deaths. Associations were also found between climate-related events and increased gender-based violence and HIV prevalence, as well as fertility decisions and harmful practices such as female genital mutilations and early and forced marriages. About two-thirds (48/75) of the articles were from the African or Western Pacific regions. The main research gaps on climate change-related events and SRHR included abortion, reproductive cancers and contraception use. Conclusion: Complementing existing evidence with targeted research to fill these knowledge gaps could enhance mitigation programmes and policies.Item Item Viral shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in body fluids associated with sexual activity: a systematic review and meta-analysis(BMJ Publishing Group Ltd., 2024-02-21)Objective: To identify and summarise the evidence on the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA detection and persistence in body fluids associated with sexual activity (saliva, semen, vaginal secretion, urine and faeces/rectal secretion). Eligibility: All studies that reported detection of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva, semen, vaginal secretion, urine and faeces/rectal swabs. Information sources: The WHO COVID-19 database from inception to 20 April 2022. Risk of bias assessment: The National Institutes of Health tools. Synthesis of results: The proportion of patients with positive results for SARS-CoV-2 and the proportion of patients with a viral duration/persistence of at least 14 days in each fluid was calculated using fixed or random effects models. Included studies: A total of 182 studies with 10 023 participants. Results: The combined proportion of individuals with detection of SARS-CoV-2 was 82.6% (95% CI: 68.8% to 91.0%) in saliva, 1.6% (95% CI: 0.9% to 2.6%) in semen, 2.7% (95% CI: 1.8% to 4.0%) in vaginal secretion, 3.8% (95% CI: 1.9% to 7.6%) in urine and 31.8% (95% CI: 26.4% to 37.7%) in faeces/rectal swabs. The maximum viral persistence for faeces/rectal secretions was 210 days, followed by semen 121 days, saliva 112 days, urine 77 days and vaginal secretions 13 days. Culturable SARS-CoV-2 was positive for saliva and faeces. Limitations: Scarcity of longitudinal studies with follow-up until negative results. Interpretation: SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in all fluids associated with sexual activity but was rare in semen and vaginal secretions. Ongoing droplet precautions and awareness of the potential risk of contact with faecal matter/rectal mucosa are needed. Prospero registration number: CRD42020204741.Item Supplementary appendix: WHO global research priorities for sexually transmitted infections(World Health Organization, 2024)Item WHO global research priorities for sexually transmitted infections(Elsevier, 2024-07-20)Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are widespread worldwide and negatively affect sexual and reproductive health. Gaps in evidence and in available tools have long hindered STI programmes and policies, particularly in resource-limited settings. In 2022, WHO initiated a research prioritisation process to identify the most important STI research areas to address the global public health need. Using an adapted Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative methodology including two global stakeholder surveys, the process identified 40 priority STI research needs. The top priorities centred on developing and implementing affordable, feasible, rapid point-of-care STI diagnostic tests and new treatments, especially for gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and syphilis; designing new multipurpose prevention technologies and vaccines for STIs; and collecting improved STI epidemiologic data on both infection and disease outcomes. The priorities also included innovative programmatic approaches, such as new STI communication and partner management strategies. An additional six research areas related to mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) reflect the need for STI-related research during disease outbreaks where sexual transmission can have a key role. These STI research priorities provide a call to action for focus, investment, and innovation to address existing roadblocks in STI prevention, control, and management to advance sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing for all.
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