The Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (AdSEARCH) by icddr,b is a cross-divisional, multi-year project that aims to advance knowledge, generate evidence and influence policies and programmes specifically focusing on various demographic groups with distinct Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) needs in Bangladesh.
This project has initiated three cohort studies, which are first-of-its-kind in Bangladesh, based on the life-course approach with adolescents, newly married couples and pregnant women, and a critical cohort of female garment workers. AdSEARCH has also established the country's first surveillance system for Key Populations (KPs), such as transgender individuals and sex workers. It also conducted studies to understand the burden and health-seeking behaviours of infertile couples; the impact of climate change on SRHR of women and girls; and a methodological study to improve the quality of reporting of maternal and pregnancy-related deaths.
Initiated in March 2021, it is a comprehensive attempt to understand the SRH burden, diseases and complications, explore the care-seeking practices, gender equity and realisation of rights through conducting 45 research studies and testing innovations in rural and urban settings.
AdSEARCH by icddr,b is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development (DFATD).
