Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) encompasses the entire life-cycle perspective on sexuality, procreation and the time before, during and after childbirth, as well as the rights of the individual.
In global terms, our goal is that all countries can provide their respective population with SRH through the development and implementation of new knowledge and skills. We need to preserve and safeguard what we have achieved in SRH research at both national and international levels, and then make use of the knowledge we acquire.
The research group
The Sexual, Reproductive and Perinatal Health research group at Dalarna University (DU/SRH) is based in the Swedish province of Dalarna. Its focus is the establishment of methods by which to improve reproductive health and the health of children and adolescents not least because SRH is hugely significant within the context of public health and socio-economic development.
Our group is interdisciplinary. This results in research projects that incorporate a range of analytical methods and a wide collection of data.
Lack of access to SRH – a major challenge
According to WHO, nearly 300 000 women lose their lives every year as a result of pregnancy and childbirth-related factors. In addition, nearly 2 million newborns die each year from childbirth-related infection or complications. Many of these deaths could be avoided if there was access to professional midwifery care such as there is in Sweden.
UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development – sustainable development goals (SDGs)
The SDG Target 3.1 Reduce Maternal Mortality under Global Goal 3 Good Health and Well-Being sets the target of reducing global maternal mortality to less than 70 per 100 000 live births. The SDG Target 3.2 End All Preventable Deaths Under 5 Years of Age sets the target of ending preventable deaths of newborns and reducing neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1 000 live births. To meet these targets, better access to SRH is required, and this is where we focus our work and research.
In Sweden, it has long been important to ensure that all women have access to maternity and obstetric care, regardless of their individual circumstances. This is not always the case in the other countries where we work. Through our international commitment and involvement, we have gained insight into the importance of gender equality for both SRH and the well-being, health and socioeconomic development of a population. We need also to ensure that within the context of Sweden, the rights of the individual and the quality SRH care that is currently available here are maintained.
More information about Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)
Members
- Ingegerd Hildingsson, Professor, Uppsala University
- Helena Lindgren, Professor, Sophiahemmet University
Research projects
PhD Program in Midwifery and Women Health
Start Date: January 1, 2026
Health and integrated care during the dual transitions of menopause and migration
Start Date: September 1, 2025
Womens access to the conditions necessary to make informed decisions about their health through menopause
Start Date: June 1, 2025
ReWrite Birth: Utforma och utvärdera en multiprofessionell intervention för att minska posttraumatisk stress efter en traumatisk förlossningsupplevelse
Start Date: January 1, 2025
EMBARC: Equitable Maternal care and Birth through Anti-Racist Coproduction
Start Date: January 1, 2024
Bridging the gaps between rhetoric and reality in midwifery education trough triangulation with alumni from Bangladesh, Somaliland, and Puntland
Start Date: January 1, 2023
Capacitating East African Leaders- A collaboration between Karolinska Institutet and Dalarna University
Start Date: January 1, 2023
Strengthening the integration of midwifery in health systems in South Asia: A leader-to-leader collaboration between Sweden, India and Nepal
Start Date: January 1, 2023
Accrediting midwifery education in Bangladesh
Start Date: January 1, 2023
Closing the Gap Between Theory and Practice: A Collaborative Education and Research Partnership Between Dalarna University and Midwifery Institutions in The Gambia
Start Date: June 1, 2020
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Collaboration
in Sweden:
We collaborate with researchers from:
- The Swedish Association of Midwives
- White Ribbon Alliance (Swedish branch, global, chaired by Kerstin Erlandsson)
- Alumni network
- Dalarna University
- Sophiahemmet University College
- Uppsala University
- Karolinska Institutet
- Karlstad University
- University of Gothenburg
in Europe:
- European Midwives Association (EMA)
- Ukrainan Midwives’ Union
- Universities in England, Ireland, Germany, Romania, Ukraine and the Nordic Countries
- Alumni network
in South Asia:
- Midwives’ Association of Nepal (MIDSON)
- Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh (CIPRB)
- North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- MAMTA Health Institute for Mother and Child, India
- Alumni network, Bangladesh
in Africa:
- Debre Berhan University, PhD education, Ethiopia
- University of Gondar, PhD education, Ethiopia
- Madda Walabu University, Ethiopia
- College of Nursing and Midwifery, The Gambia
Financing
- Formas (A Swedish research council for sustainable development)
- Forte (Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs)
- Laerdahl
- UNFPA
- Vetenskapsrådet (The Swedish Research Council)
Related links
Video: Sexual, Reproductive and Perinatal Health - A Human Right