Country Profiles

Research

Since 1996, Family Health International (FHI) has worked to improve reproductive health, increase family planning options, and help prevent HIV in South Africa. Our research, technical assistance, and intervention programs are made possible by collaboration with local partners, including government agencies, universities, nongovernmental organizations, and local community-based groups. Together we work to strengthen health services and improve public health.

More Research Highlights

We are strengthening the links between family planning provision and HIV services such as home-based care, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and provision of antiretrovirals. When these programs operate separately, opportunities are missed to offer family planning to couples who wish to space or limit births. Also, providing contraception to HIV-positive women who do not wish to have more children is an effective means of preventing mother-to-child transmission.

FHI is providing data management, qualitative analysis, and monitoring support for a collaborative study with the Contraceptive Research and Development (CONRAD) Program to assess the safety and feasibility of diaphragm use with the vaginal microbicide ACIDFORM during vaginal intercourse.
We are working with partners on clinical testing of three new female condoms and providing input on related evidence-based international standards.