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Alternative study designs for research on women's gynaecological morbidity in developing countries
1Department of Population and Family Health Sciences, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. mkoenig@jhsph.edu
Reproductive Health Matters
|January 5, 2002
Summary
Community-based studies for women's gynecological morbidity face challenges in developing nations. Alternative research designs offer practical advantages, though potential selection bias requires careful consideration.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Reproductive Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Community-based studies are the benchmark for researching women's gynecological morbidity.
- Significant challenges hinder the successful execution of these studies in developing countries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the constraints of community-based studies on gynecological morbidity.
- To evaluate alternative study designs as viable options in developing countries.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review was conducted.
- Constraints of community-based studies were identified and discussed.
- Alternative study designs were evaluated for their strengths and limitations.
Main Results:
- Alternative designs present both limitations and strengths compared to community-based approaches.
- Key advantages include enhanced feasibility, reduced respondent refusal rates for medical procedures, lower costs, and improved research-utilization linkage.
- A significant limitation involves potential selection bias and generalizability issues.
Conclusions:
- Alternative study designs offer practical solutions for investigating women's gynecological morbidity in resource-limited settings.
- Researchers gain expanded methodological tools to address this critical public health issue.