Research at the Intersection of Self-Care, Reproductive Health, and Infectious Disease

This edition spotlights new research at the intersection of self-care, reproductive health, and infectious disease. From understanding barriers to COVID-19 testing in Africa to exploring the links between reproductive empowerment and contraceptive self-injection, each study contributes critical insights for more equitable, person-centered health systems. Featuring PSI experts and partners around the world, these findings are powering innovation and shaping the future of health beyond healthcare.  

Factors influencing uptake of COVID-19 diagnostics in Sub-Saharan Africa: a rapid scoping review – This review investigated factors influencing uptake of COVID-19 testing in Africa. Supply-side barriers to COVID-19 testing included poor access to testing facilities, limited laboratory capacity, and lack of trained personnel, whereas demand-side barriers included misinformation spread through social media, fear of social repercussions of testing positive, and a perception of low risk and low severity of the disease. The authors recommend contextualized preparedness plans that respond to consumer experiences, which might include community-driven self-testing distribution. 

PSI Feature: Karin Hatzold, Director of HIV &TB 

Authors: Phiri MM, Dunkley Y, Di Giacomo E, Lora W, Kumwenda M, Kabonga I, Isere E, Bimba J, Sibanda E, Choko A, Hatzold K, Corbett L, Desmond N. 

Measuring misaligned contraceptive use among reproductive-aged women in Kisumu, Kenya: a cross-sectional, population-based study – The global family planning community has critiqued traditional measures of programmatic success, like unmet need for contraception, and called for more person-centered measures that consider contraceptive preferences. This study found little agreement between unmet need and misaligned use, a recently conceptualized person-centered metric for measurement. This straightforward, person-centered measure can be used to evaluate family planning programs in a way that better reflects consumer voice and preferences. 

PSI Feature: Dr. Claire Rothschild, SRHR Senior Research Advisor 

Authors: Bullington BW, Chung S, Rothschild CW, Onyango D, Senderowicz L, Goland E, Mwanyiro A, Wekesa B, Frizzelle B, Golub G, Tumlinson K. 

A Pilot Study on the Feasibility and Integration of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Testing for Cervical Cancer Prevention in Trinidad and Tobago –This study demonstrated the feasibility of using high-risk HPV testing over cytology alone for cervical cancer screening in Trinidad and Tobago, where screening efforts relied solely on conventional Pap smears at the time the study was conducted. The authors suggest that study findings could be used to develop a screening algorithm to optimize a health system response that integrates screening and diagnosis with social behavior change strategies to increase screening and work toward cervical cancer elimination. 

PSI Feature: Moira Lindsay, Program Manager, Global Operations 

Authors: Bahall V, Sirjusingh A, Ishmael S, Hosein Y, Lindsay M, Barrow M, De Barry L. 

Stay tuned for more research and insights as we continue to explore how self-care and person-centered approaches can drive more equitable, resilient health systems around the world.