Training healthcare providers to improve reproductive and sexual health care
Evaluating the effects of reproductive health training on provider behavior
This project trains medical, nursing, and midwifery students in Tanzania to improve how they handle sexual and reproductive health concerns, including HIV and STIs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11181325 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient viewpoint, researchers taught a tailored sexual health curriculum to 412 nursing, midwifery, and medical students at Muhimbili University in Tanzania. The program was delivered in a randomized, single-blind trial comparing trained students to untrained controls and included follow-up checks of knowledge, attitudes, and clinical skills. Early results at three months showed better sexual health knowledge, more positive attitudes, and improved clinical handling among trained students. The renewal aims to track longer-term effects and support wider adoption of the training if benefits persist.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People seeking sexual and reproductive health care in Tanzania—especially those at risk for HIV or STIs—would be most likely to benefit from providers trained by this program.
Not a fit: Patients who do not access care in the regions where the training is implemented or who continue to see providers who did not receive the training may not receive direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce more knowledgeable and respectful providers, leading to earlier diagnosis and better treatment of HIV, STIs, and other sexual and reproductive health problems.
How similar studies have performed: An earlier randomized trial at Muhimbili showed moderate-to-large improvements in student knowledge, attitudes, and clinical skills at three months, supporting further follow-up.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rosser, B R Simon — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Rosser, B R Simon
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.