Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research (SRH)

Including the Human Reproduction Special Programme (HRP)

About

Sexual health and well-being

WHO defines sexual health as “a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled.”

Based on this definition, HRP’s work on sexual health and well-being covers four technical areas:

Research on prevention and control of sexually transmissible infections, including HIV
Prevention and management of cancers of the reproductive system
Education, counselling and care related to sexuality, sexual identity, and sexual relationships
Sexual function and psychosexual counselling.

Publications

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Sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health: report on the 2023 policy survey

Evidence- and rights-based national policies, guidelines and legislation play a key role in improving sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and...

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Journal articles

2025

Fine E, Muriuki P, Hunter EC, Gonsalves L, Brizuela V; CoTSIS Study Group. Embedding research capacity strengthening in multicountry sexual health research. BMJ Glob Health. 2025;10(11):e020907. Published 2025 Nov 3. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2025-020907

Zaneva M, Thatte N, Philpott A, Maliwa C, Mills R, Gonsalves L. The sex effect: the prevalence of sex life reasons for contraceptive discontinuation. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sex Reprod Health Matters. 2025;33(1):2552589. doi:10.1080/26410397.2025.2552589

Narasimhan, M., Rasanathan, J.J.K., Remme, M. et al. Menstrual health and endometriosis: costs incurred by women, health systems and society. npj Womens Health 3, 54 (2025). doi:10.1038/s44294-025-00094-8

2024

Calvet GA, Kara E, Gonsalves L, et al. Viral shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in body fluids associated with sexual activity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2024;14(2):e073084. Published 2024 Feb 21. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073084

Blondeel K, Mirandola M, Gios L, et al. Sexual satisfaction, an indicator of sexual health and well-being? Insights from STI/HIV prevention research in European men who have sex with men. BMJ Glob Health. 2024;9(5):e013285. Published 2024 May 24. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013285

2023

Bruni L, Albero G, Rowley J, et al. Global and regional estimates of genital human papillomavirus prevalence among men: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health. 2023;11(9):e1345-e1362. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00305-4

Schaaf M, Lavelanet A, Codjia L, Nihlén Å, Rehnstrom Loi U. A narrative review of challenges related to healthcare worker rights, roles and responsibilities in the provision of sexual and reproductive services in health facilities. BMJ Glob Health. 2023;8(Suppl 4):e012421. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012421

2022

Habib N, Hughes MD, Broutet N, et al. Statistical methodologies for evaluation of the rate of persistence of Ebola virus in semen of male survivors in Sierra Leone. PLoS One. 2022;17(10):e0274755. Published 2022 Oct 5. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0274755

Kennedy CE, Yeh PT, Atkins K, Ferguson L, Baggaley R, Narasimhan M. PrEP distribution in pharmacies: a systematic review. BMJ Open. 2022;12(2):e054121. Published 2022 Feb 21. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054121

ProSPeRo Network. Standardised protocol for a prospective cross-sectional multicentre clinical utility evaluation of two dual point-of-care tests in non-clinical settings for the screening of HIV and syphilis in men who have sex with men. BMJ Open. 2022;12(6):e055275. Published 2022 Jun 8. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055275

Bertagnolio S, Thwin SS, Silva R, et al. Clinical features of, and risk factors for, severe or fatal COVID-19 among people living with HIV admitted to hospital: analysis of data from the WHO Global Clinical Platform of COVID-19. Lancet HIV. 2022;9(7):e486-e495. doi:10.1016/S2352-3018(22)00097-2

Kennedy CE, Yeh PT, Li J, Gonsalves L, Narasimhan M. Lubricants for the promotion of sexual health and well-being: a systematic review. Sex Reprod Health Matters. 2021;29(3):2044198. doi:10.1080/26410397.2022.2044198

2021

Gonsalves L, Hunter EC, Brizuela V, et al. Cognitive testing of a survey instrument to assess sexual practices, behaviours, and health outcomes: a multi-country study protocol. Reprod Health. 2021;18(1):249. Published 2021 Dec 19. doi:10.1186/s12978-021-01301-w

Stephenson R, Lesco G, Babii V, et al. Provider attitudes towards a brief behavioral intervention for sexual health in Moldova. BMC Public Health. 2021;21(1):1469. Published 2021 Jul 28. doi:10.1186/s12889-021-11490-5

Kpokiri EE, Wu D, Srinivas ML, et al. Development of an international sexual and reproductive health survey instrument: results from a pilot WHO/HRP consultative Delphi process. Sex Transm Infect. 2022;98(1):38-43. doi:10.1136/sextrans-2020-054822

Blondeel K, Dias S, Furegato M, et al. Sexual behaviour patterns and STI risk: results of a cluster analysis among men who have sex with men in Portugal. BMJ Open. 2021;11(1):e033290. Published 2021 Jan 22. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033290

2020

Gonsalves L, Cottler-Casanova S, VanTreeck K, Say L. Results of a World Health Organization Scoping of Sexual Dysfunction-Related Guidelines: What Exists and What Is Needed. J Sex Med. 2020;17(12):2518-2521. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.08.022

Sen G, Iyer A, Chattopadhyay S, Khosla R. When accountability meets power: realizing sexual and reproductive health and rights. Int J Equity Health. 2020;19(1):111. Published 2020 Jul 8. doi:10.1186/s12939-020-01221-4

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