Table for Identifying Knowledge Gaps for Use in the World Report on Knowledge for Better Health Types of knowledge needed Maternal and Newborn Health Family Planning Unsafe abortion RTI/STIs New knowledge from basic and epidemiological research Aetiology of preeclampsia, preterm labour and birth Magnitude of burden of ill-health due to haemorrhage, obstructed labour, sepsis, hypertension, congenital syphilis, birth asphyxia Fetal growth patterns Role of progestogens in endometrial breakthrough bleeding Specific targets against spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis Factors influencing implantation Mechanisms of action of emergency contraception Modes of inducing luteolysis Development of new family planning technologies such as long-acting methods for women, womencontrolled methods and hormonal methods for men, in order to increase the choice of methods in terms of mechanisms of action, mode of use and administration, duration of Mechanisms of synergistic effect of aromatase and inos inhibitors in combination with antiprogestins Mechanisms of postabortion bleeding The efficacy of single dose oral treatment for syphilis infection. STI prophylaxis for victims of sexual assault. The epidemiology and natural history of genital herpes simplex virus (HSV-2) infection. Vaccines against viral STIs, including herpes simplex and human papilloma virus (HPV) Microbicides and their role in preventing the acquisition of STIs.
effect, and fewer sideeffects Identification of the extent of and the reasons for unmet need for family planning focusing on factors which lend themselves to intervention Determination of the needs and preferences of users, or potential users, and their partners for family planning methods in the era of STIs/HIV Documentation of the potential for contraceptive use by men and their preferences for contraceptive methods and support for family planning Documentation of the perspectives of users and of potential users on family planning methods: in terms of patterns and timing of use, convenience, mode of action, perception or experience of side-effects and views on family planning services The role of asymptomatic HSV-2 viral shedding and the impact of different HSV-2 treatment protocols on HIV transmission. The optimal use of antiretrovirals (ARVs) to prevent motherto-child transmission of HIV for the benefit of both the mother and her infant. Impact of presumptive STI treatment on PID incidence after intra-uterine device (IUD) insertion Epidemiology and natural history of HPV in HIV positive patients
New and (diagnostic and screening) tools Screening for preeclampsia, preterm labour based on biomarkers Diagnostic tools for birth asphyxia Rapid diagnosis for congenital syphilis Rapid, minimally or non-invasive diagnostic tests for syphilis, chancroid, gonorrhoea, Chlamydia and HSV-2 infections New and intervention methods Preventive and therapeutic interventions for preeclampsia, preterm birth Field trials of rapid diagnosis and treatment for syphilis in pregnancy Optimal treatment for anemia in pregnancy Treatments for postpartum haemorrhage Preventive and therapeutic interventions for birth asphyxia and newborn sepsis Evaluation of Kangaroo Mother Evaluation of newly developed family planning technologies such as long-acting methods for women, women-controlled methods and hormonal methods for men, in order to increase the choice of methods in terms of mechanisms of action, mode of use and administration, duration of effect, and fewer sideeffects Evaluation of new methods for both men and women offering dual protection against pregnancy and STI/HIV Development and/or assessment of versions of current contraceptive methods to Non-surgical methods for treatment of non-viable pregnancy Evaluation of efficacy, safety, women's perspectives and acceptability of different abortion technologies Antibiotic prophylaxis for incomplete abortion Uterotonic use following first and second trimester abortion Therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines against HSV-2 and HPV. Evaluation of health professional's and community's perspectives and acceptability of HPV vaccine Development and assessment of new interventions to promote condom use in different groups Evaluation of the role of STI services in HIV prevention and management
Care technique in non-stabilised newborns improve performance and reduce side-effects New and strategies and policies Identify and eliminate barriers to the implementation of effective practices Strategies to improve the efficiency of referral systems especially for obstructed labour (use of partogram) Capacity development strategies to improve basic newborn resuscitation techniques Strategies to promote appropriate antibiotic use for prevention and treatment for adult and newborn sepsis Fostering of an enabling environment at the national level supportive of sound family planning programmes, policies, laws and initiatives Advocacy for establishing and achieving global targets on sexual and reproductive health, including family planning services and programmes Evaluation at national levels of the contribution of family planning programmes to women s empowerment and gender equity Improving quality of care in abortion services Identify ways to best introduce non-surgical abortion Provision of abortion by trained mid-level providers, if proven safe and effective Fostering of an enabling environment by removing administrative and regulatory barriers Promoting the implementation of laws and policies on the provision of abortion services as permitted by the law Providing evidence for policy-makers on the public health dimensions of unsafe abortion Fostering of an enabling environment at the national level supportive of STI- RTI control programmes, policies, laws and initiatives using strategic approach tools Basic medical and nurse training at academic institutions for the provision of STI and RTI the primary health care level. Strategies to improve STI control in specific groups (adolescents, sex workers, prisoners, injecting drug users) Drug and
commodity procurement policies that facilitate access to medicines for STIs and other conditions Implementation of strategies to control syphilis and to eliminate congenital syphilis