Research report on reproductive health issues

IIHMR Bangalore reaches out to women in Koppal District, Karnataka for creating awareness on reproductive health issues

• IIHMR Bangalore was funded by ICMR to undertake the project spanning over one and a half year
• Around 1200 women Self Help Groups were imparted with knowledge on women’s health
• Awareness on cervical cancer and other reproductive issues were discussed with women

December 15, 2014: IIHMR Bangalore undertook an action research demonstration project (funded by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to empower women Self Help Groups (SHGS) in talking about various issues faced by women in the area of reproductive health. IIHMR went about sensitizing, mobilizing and engaging women with series of sensitization workshops and refresher trainings for one year, so that they can act as change agents for other women in the community. Bangarpet taluk in Koppal district of Karnataka was the intervention site for the study.

The study undertaken over a period of one and half years (from May 2012 to October 2013)has revealed that with improved knowledge in women there is a greater impact for healthier lives and families as they can act as change agents for other women in the community. With Sustainability of Sensitizing Self Help Group to Reproductive Health via Empowerment and Engagement (SSSTREE) project intervention, thousands of women have so far benefitted, in turn benefitting thousands of families. IIHMR conducted a ‘Health Mela’ as part of the project where nearly 1000 women were addressed through trainings on various reproductive health issues. Around 1200 women SHG were imparted with knowledge on all aspects of women’s health.

In a conservative society like India where talking about sex, RTI/STIs and other gynecological problems of women is a taboo, the greatest achievement of the project was that women have learnt and understood more about their health and have broken the point of hesitation to talk about such intimate issues and empowered themselves. Critical issues like awareness on cervical cancer were easily conveyed to them, which in turn will help keep a check on the incidence and treatment-seeking behavior of them.

Talking about the achievement, Dr. Biranchi Jena, Director of IIHMR Bangalore commented, “The study was undertaken by IIHMR Bangalore as part of our research to improve the overall reproductive health in the community. It is truly commendable to see women from rural areas come ahead and talk about their problems with the research team. This is the first step towards improvement of lives, and generations to come.”

IIHMR will be soon undertaking a larger intervention project in other parts of the country also.

About IIHMR, Bangalore

Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR), Bangalore is the south campus of IIHMR; was established with a fundamental purpose of creating knowledge and developing innovative modes of improving healthcare through management research, education and training. The Institute has significantly contributed to the areas of health research management in the country and in South-East Asia Region.  It has established a new paradigm of management of capacity development among healthcare professionals at the national, state and district levels in the areas of leadership, strategic management, and quality assurance in health care. 

IIHMR, Bangalore has been in operations since 2004 to improve hospital and health care education, research and training especially in South India.

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