Objective: To evaluate the contributions of the INDEPTH Network of health and demographic surveillance system (HDSS) members to research efforts and interventions on reproductive health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Methods: Review of peer-reviewed published papers on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) that use the HDSS framework through (i) an online search for publications using terminology related to HDSS, HIV, Maternal health, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, family planning/contraceptives and fertility, and (ii) asking INDEPTH member centres for information on their published papers on SRH publications that used the HDSS framework. A paper was included in the review only if it used HDSS data, dealt with SRH issues, and had been published in a peer-reviewed international journal.
Results: Most of the papers in the review focused on HIV, maternal health, family planning and adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH). Generally, people are knowledgeable about HIV. School attendance considerably delays entry into motherhood and reduces the probability of entering into early marriage or sexual union. The general decline in maternal mortality over the last decade is partly due to better access to emergency obstetric services, improved education of women and reduction in fertility.
Conclusion: Sexual and reproductive health is a significant public health need, yet little research has been published in this area to inform policy. The HDSS framework is ideal for SRH research, as it offers the advantage to track and monitor progress of relevant health and demographic indicators, especially in family planning, marriage and fertility studies.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS; adolescents sexual and reproductive health; fertility; health and demographic surveillance systems; maternal health; sexual and reproductive health.
© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.