Secondary Research
M&IHC has executed remote desk research for many of our clients - for PSI alone, this has included over 20 literature search and retrievals and reports. Topics have ranged from female economic empowerment to male engagement in family planning decisions.
The Biology of the First 1,000 Days
M&IHC collaborated with partners from Nutrition International to conduct research and write a book chapter focused on preconception nutrition. M&IHC’s Director is the lead author for “Chapter 27: A Role for Preconception Nutrition” (The Biology of the First 1,000 Days. Crystal D Karakochuk, Kyly C Whitfield, Tim J Green, Klaus Kraemer). M&IHC also provided background research and technical editing services for this research.
Injectable Contraception in Africa
In support of PSI’s program implementation, M&IHC created a literature review that was presented to an African Ministry of Health. The review summarized best practices and lessons learned from the implementation and scale-up of Depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) (Sayana® Press) in all African countries. M&IHC researchers used a systematic search and retrieval process to identify journal articles and grey literature outlining the benefits of both DMPA-SC over DMPA-IM, and of self-injection more broadly. The review summarized previous programmatic efforts related to DMPA-SC and self-injection across Africa that will inform the introduction of DMPA-SC as a family planning option country-wide.
Image Source: Will Boase from PATH
Interactive Consumer-Facing Digital Tools
M&IHC researched the state of the evidence for the use of interactive consumer-facing digital tools within the healthcare sector in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This resulted in a report produced for PSI and delivering a webinar presentation to over thirty individuals joining from several LMICs.
The review included tools used for the provision of health counseling services and on-demand information and support through interactive engagement with consumers. This included: effectiveness of digital counseling tools to support health outcomes; consumer satisfaction with digital counseling tools; implementation lessons regarding digital health tools in LMICs; costs and scalability of digital health tools in LMICs; and evidence gaps for consumer-facing digital tools in LMICs.
Image Source: hadynyah from Getty Images Signature, licensed under Canva
Three In-Field Guides: Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research & SurveyCTO
M&IHC developed three in-field guides to enhance PSI’s data collection in the field through recommendations and resources. Topics covered included: ideal team structures, field team supervision, sampling fidelity, quality assurance procedures for in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, probing, screening/eligibility, verifying audio recordings, providing feedback, doing back-checks, hiring moderators, and working with marketing agencies.