Activities
Field Research
Global Initiatives uses the internationally developed principles of health research for development to structure research projects whose results inform maternal mortality reduction programs. Areas of field research include:
- Michigan
- Ectopic pregnancy mortality
- Postpartum hemorrhage
- Haiti
- Rates of pregnancy complications and associated factors
This information will be used to develop and test therapies that could be used in these remote communities to prevent pregnancy complications from becoming fatal. - Measuring the impact of maternal mortality on children
- Rates of pregnancy complications and associated factors
- Malawi
- The association of HIV infection with the development of postpartum infections among women who undergo voluntary counseling and testing
- Ghana
- Acceptance of voluntary counseling and testing
Basic Science Research
Global Initiatives collaborates with the Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the University of Michigan. Preliminary research has been conducted to determine the effects that herbs have on the contraction pattern of the rat uterus.
Education and Training
- Ghana Postgraduate Training Program
Global Initiatives is currently documenting the factors related to the high retention rate of trained OB/ Gyns in Ghana, evaluating the impact of the program, and determining how the educational enhancements to the training program affected program success. - Primary Health Care of Women
Providing health care for women requires a comprehensive approach that includes the specialities of family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry and internal medicine among others. Objectives of this course are designed to cover the spectrum of women's health and to broaden the primary care provider's approach to management and treatment decisions. See the Continuing Medical Education Web site for more information. - Summer Certificate Course
The Summer Certificate Course introduces participants to the context, tools and programming strategies that form the foundation of work in the field of international population and reproductive health. - University of Michigan student involvement
Global Initiatives facilitates student involvement in international health research by guiding students in identifying and carrying out projects.
Program Development and Evaluation
Drawing upon the findings from past research, we also participate on a programmatic level:
- Adapting Michigan maternal mortality review system to the developing
countries setting.
Global Initiatives is working with Haiti's Ministry of Health to improve surveillance for maternal mortality. The surveillance tools could be used nationwide in Haiti and can be adapted to any country context. - Final evaluation of Honduras Child Survival Program
- Mid-process review of JHPIEGO Maternal Neonatal Care Program
- Obstetrical Emergency Training in Uzbekistan
- Indicator development in maternal care for international use
- Review of numerous training manuals in maternal and neonatal care
- Monitoring and evaluation for community-based maternal care programs
