The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) will soon begin research on 'strengthening linkages between sexual & reproductive health (SRH) and HIV/AIDS'.

Senior ICMR officials said that the study in this area is significant as the importance of linking sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and HIV is widely recognized, and most HIV infections are sexually transmitted or associated with pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. In addition, reproductive ill-health and HIV/AIDS share root causes, including poverty, gender inequality and social marginalization of the most vulnerable populations.

There is evidence of important synergies between reproductive health and HIV prevention, care and treatment interventions. Forging closer linkages between these programme areas would lead to significant public health benefits and help in attaining international development goals and targets, officials said.

The studies, for which the ICMR has invited applications from scientists, will be focussed on the topics pertaining to strengthening linkages between SRH and HIV/AIDS such as cross cutting issues of SRH needs and rights and gender; sexual and reproductive health of women and men living with HIV; integrating SRH with HIV/AIDS programmes serving vulnerable populations; addressing the sexual and reproductive needs of young people for HIV prevention; and policy and programme implications.

In the area cross cutting issues of SRH needs and rights and gender, the study will focus on SRH rights, gender issues & linkages and stigma and discrimination. Under the sexual and reproductive health of women and men living with HIV, the research will focus on fertility and contraception in the context of HIV/AIDS; prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV; diagnosis and treatment of STIs; and care, support and treatment.

In the research area of integrating SRH with HIV/AIDS programmes serving vulnerable populations, the study will veer around the subjects of SRH needs for most at risk populations such as female sex workers, MSMs, IVDU;and experiences from linked responses to vulnerable populations. In addressing the sexual and reproductive needs of young people for HIV prevention, the study will be on youth friendly services for addressing SRH needs of young people; and integrated programmes for young people. Under the policy and programme implications, the proposed study will be on cost effectiveness including financing and resource linkages; technologies for prevention of pregnancy and STI/HIV; legal constraints and opportunities; management and infrastructural issues; capacity building experiences of the health care providers; and evidence and lessons from HIV-TB integration programme.