Issues in essential obstetric care

This report summarizes the proceedings of a meeting on essential obstetric care (EOC) convened by the Population Council on behalf of the Inter-Agency Group for Safe Motherhood (IAG). This technical meeting was held to clarify the definition of EOC, bridge the gap between research and program planning, and stimulate field-level activity. The president of the Population Council closed and summarized the meeting by noting that the IAG is making progress, but that work remains to be done. Progress will begin to occur more rapidly when we are able to prove that lives have been saved and to state definitively that an intervention package has worked. She noted that in order to improve women\u27s health, we need to step up global advocacy and enable the world\u27s women to become advocates for their own health; translate our wisdom into the vernacular; and to pledge to make our research as relevant, rapid, and accessible as possible

Women want choices: Opinions from the Share.Learn.Shape global internet survey about multipurpose prevention technology (MPT) products in development

Women need multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) to simultaneously prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, with or without contraception. User feedback early in product development is critical for maximizing uptake and continuation. Our global online survey (April 2017–December 2018) explored women’s opinions about MPT formulations in development (e.g., fast-dissolving vaginal inserts, vaginal films, intravaginal rings, injectables, implants), preferences for long-acting or “on-demand” methods, and interest in a contraceptive MPT versus products for HIV/STI prevention alone. Of the 630 women in our final analysis (mean 30 years old; range 18–49), 68% were monogamous, 79% completed secondary education, 58% had ≥ 1 child, 56% were from sub-Saharan Africa and 82% preferred a cMPT versus HIV/STI prevention alone. There were no clear preferences for any specific product or product type (long-acting, on-demand, daily). No single product will appeal everyone, however, adding contraception is likely to increase uptake of HIV/STI prevention methods for most women