Research in Sexual and Reproductive Health
About Clinical Research
Clinical research is “research in which people are studied, or data or tissue samples from people are analyzed to understand health and disease. Clinical research helps find new and better ways to detect, diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases. Types of clinical research include clinical trials, which test new treatments for a disease, and natural history studies that gather health information to understand how a disease develops and progresses over time.” At Profamilia, every study, research project, and researcher that meets this premise is part of this research line.
Main thematic areas:
- HPV
- Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy (VTP)
- Contraception
- Fertility
- Sexual Dysfunction
- HIV and other STIs
- Menstruation and Menopause
Barriers and Facilitators to the Exercise of Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 13 Municipalities of Colombia
Summary
Understanding the experiences of people with disabilities from different perspectives (themselves, their families or caregivers, community-based organizations, government, and public and private institutions) helps identify barriers and facilitators to the effective exercise of their rights and the contexts in which they occur.
In this sense, Johanniter and Profamilia joined efforts to develop this research to identify barriers and facilitators to the effective exercise of the rights of people with disabilities in 13 municipalities of Colombia: Arauca, María la Baja, Nuquí, Bahía Solano, Acandí, Tumaco, El Charco, Timbiquí, Almaguer, El Tambo, Mocoa, Puerto Leguízamo, and Cartagena del Chairá.
Resources:
Results Report
Funder: Johanniter
Allies: Colombian Down Syndrome Association – Asdown Colombia and Colombian Autism League – LICA
Narrative Report: Evaluation of the Abortion Ecosystem in Medellín, Antioquia
Summary
This report by Profamilia presents an analysis of information gathered during the in-person meeting of the District Roundtable for the Right to Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy (VTP) in Medellín, June 2023, to assess the sustainability of the abortion ecosystem in the city. This process was part of the project “The Decision is Yours,” an initiative by Profamilia and Ríos.
The analysis was carried out using an evaluation model developed by IPAS International, which assesses the ecosystem in the city across eight components: sustainability, knowledge and agency of individuals, financing, supplies, social norms and community support, policies and legislation, health information, and service delivery.
Resources:
TransFamilies: What Lies Behind a Gender Transition?
Summary
This study explores family dynamics when a member begins a gender transition process. It highlights the fundamental role of families in the development and well-being of trans people and the need for comprehensive support to face the challenges this process entails.
The research contributes to understanding the experiences of families accompanying a person through their gender transition. The proposed recommendations aim to foster a more inclusive and respectful environment for trans people and their families, promoting their overall well-being and development.
Resources:
Measuring Social Inequalities in Antimicrobial Resistance of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae in Colombia: A Mixed-Methods Research Approach
Summary
Antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria Gonorrhoeae is a growing and silent public health issue due to antibiotic resistance. The purpose of this research is to analyze the social determinants of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria Gonorrhoeae in Colombia. The study aims to identify key inequalities contributing to antimicrobial resistance, key policy issues, and critical challenges to implementing the “National Response Plan to Antimicrobial Resistance,” with special emphasis on Neisseria Gonorrhoeae.
The research will be conducted in Bogotá, Cartagena, Cali, and Medellín.
Funding: Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
Resource:
Male-Centered Sexual Health Services: Vasectomy in Colombia
Knowledge, Perceptions, and Motivations on Male Contraception in Bogotá D.C., Colombia
Summary
Profamilia, in partnership with World Vasectomy Day, conducted research aimed at identifying perceptions, motivations, and beliefs related to men’s decisions to undergo vasectomy as a permanent contraceptive method. A survey was carried out among men who had the procedure at Profamilia’s clinic in Bogotá.
Funder: Profamilia
Resource:
Seroprevalence Survey to Verify the Elimination of Hepatitis B
Assessment of Progress Toward the Elimination Target of Hepatitis B in Children Aged 5–10 in Areas with Probable Virus Circulation in Colombia
Summary
This seroprevalence survey assessed the efficiency of immunization programs aimed at eliminating Hepatitis B among children aged 5–10. The study was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and PAHO/WHO, with support from the Ministry of Health, INS, DANE, and Profamilia.
In the first stage, the CDC, PAHO, and the Ministry of Health identified 36 municipalities with probable virus circulation. In the second stage, a classification survey was conducted to determine the likelihood that these areas—and thus the country—had achieved the elimination target.
Results showed that no children tested positive for Hepatitis B rapid tests, indicating that Colombia likely achieved the goal of eliminating mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B, as a result of decades of immunization programs. In other words, vaccination efforts in Colombia have been highly effective—great news.
Funders: Profamilia, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MSPS)
Zika, Gender, and Sexual and Reproductive Health
Zika and Its Relationship with the Sexual and Reproductive Health of Women in Colombia: What Did We Learn?
Summary
The Zika epidemic in Colombia (2015–2017) had differential effects on men and women. Moreover, aspects such as sexual and vertical transmission of the virus highlighted the need for a multidimensional approach.
In 2018, Profamilia and PAHO/WHO conducted a study to identify and characterize mechanisms for implementing national guidelines on detection, prevention, care, and coordination to address the Zika epidemic in three regions of Colombia: Barranquilla (Metropolitan Area), Cúcuta (Metropolitan Area), and San Andrés.
Funders: PAHO/HRP/TDR Small Grants and Profamilia Association
Resources:
Abortion (VTP) Research
The following studies aim to advance the right to safe abortion, reduce barriers to healthcare, eliminate stigma and prejudice, and adapt health services to people’s needs, identities, and circumstances.
Defending Women’s Health in Latin America: Analysis of Ruling C-055 of 2022 and Its Effects on Access to Safe VTP Services in Bogotá, Medellín, and Barranquilla
On February 21, 2022, Colombia witnessed a historic milestone in the decriminalization of Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy (VTP), positioning the country as a regional reference in guaranteeing the Sexual and Reproductive Rights of girls, adolescents, and women. Through Constitutional Court Ruling C-055, a significant advance was achieved in protecting women’s rights and reproductive autonomy.
The project “The Struggle Continues: Defending Women’s Health in Latin America” aimed to contribute to the creation of safe environments for care, information, and access to Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy in Colombia, as well as to promote compliance with Ruling C-055 of 2022. Within the framework of this project, a research study was carried out to assess the impact of the ruling on access to safe VTP services and to identify potential barriers following the Court’s decision.
As an organization that promotes sexual and reproductive rights, Profamilia seeks to contribute to understanding the current context of VTP in Colombia through the experiences of some of its users in Bogotá, Medellín, and Barranquilla — the cities with the highest rates of this procedure in the country.
Funder: International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and Profamilia
Explore our report:
Explore our infographic:
As part of the project “Defending Women’s Health in Latin America”, Profamilia and Las Parceras held the first meeting between feminist abortion support networks and healthcare professionals. This space was designed to identify points of collaboration and co-create strategies to strengthen this alliance, ensuring access to safe abortion.
From an intersectional and care-centered perspective, significant progress was made, including the co-construction of the concepts “safe abortion” and “abortion accompaniment”, as well as the exchange of experiences and knowledge on abortion access in diverse contexts. These efforts helped build strategic bridges to defend and guarantee access to abortion in Colombia.
Identification of Safe Abortion Services in Colombia at the Municipal Level
Profamilia, with the support of Ríos Rivers, developed the project “The Decision Is Yours: Environments Favorable to Abortion Care in Colombia” This project aimed to contribute to the creation of favorable environments for access to comprehensive and quality abortion care in the country. Within this framework, Profamilia developed the Municipal Index of Safe Abortion Availability, which synthesizes available information on abortion care and helps identify municipalities in Colombia where the population lacks adequate access.
This index contributes to the analysis of inequities in access to safe abortion in Colombia from a multidimensional perspective, supports the implementation of Ruling C-055 of 2022, and promotes the territorial adoption of Resolution 051 of 2023. It also provides inputs to guide efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)related to good health and well-being (SDG 3) and gender equality (SDG 5).
Funding: Ríos Rivers
Explore our report
Identificación de la oferta de aborto seguro en Colombia a nivel municipal
Evaluation of the Abortion Ecosystem in Seven Territories of Colombia
Through the project “The Decision Is Yours: Environments Favorable to Abortion Care in Colombia”, Profamilia and RÍOS led a sustainability assessment of the abortion ecosystem, bringing together key actors in abortion care and public policy creation across seven territorial roundtables in prioritized regions of Colombia.
These roundtables included participation from health secretariats, Benefit Plan Administration Entities (EAPB), Health Service Providers (IPS), and civil society. The territories selected—Boyacá, Norte de Santander, Santander, Bogotá, Medellín, Quibdó, and Montería—were chosen for their importance in abortion access for smaller municipalities and the presence of migrant and Afro-descendant populations. Territories with Profamilia health personnel were also prioritized to ensure follow-up and support for the developed work plans.
Access the reports for each prioritized territory and the IPAS Abortion Ecosystem Evaluation Tool.
Co-design of a Digital Solution for Self-managed Abortion
In 2021, the Global Care Consortium was created, where Profamilia plays two key roles: (1) Technical Secretariat and (2) Consortium Member. From these positions, Profamilia developed the premises of this research.
The initiative aims to facilitate self-care practices for abortion worldwide through the creation of person-centered and context-sensitive care models, as well as communication and advocacy tools that help key actors (community, institutional, and political levels) support and empower women, trans men, and non-binary people assigned female at birth to make informed decisions about their reproductive autonomy.
In partnership with the Vitala Global Foundation, Profamilia conducted this study to strengthen the evidence base on self-managed abortion in telemedicine contexts, highlighting current needs, barriers, and opportunities in Colombia’s legal abortion ecosystem. It also identifies ways telemedicine can bridge gaps in timely, inclusive, and dignified access to quality services, as well as promote innovation, advocacy, and best practices in teleabortion across Colombia and Latin America.
Safe Abortion: Needs and Opportunities — An Analysis in Three Colombian Cities: Bucaramanga, Popayán, and Tunja
In Colombia, abortion is a right under the three circumstances recognized by Constitutional Court Ruling C-355 of 2006. However, abortion services remain poorly adapted to the needs, identities, and circumstances of people with the capacity to become pregnant, leading to continued unsafe practices.
The project “Advancing the Guarantee of the Right to Abortion in Colombia” conducted a study to identify needs and opportunities regarding access to safe abortion in Bucaramanga, Popayán, and Tunja, aiming to better tailor sexual and reproductive health services to different social and contextual realities.
Funding: Asociación Profamilia and International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).
Experiences Ensuring Comprehensive Health Services for Access to Safe Abortion in Inírida and MitúThirteen years after abortion was decriminalized under certain circumstances, women still face significant barriers to safe abortion services. These barriers are tied to stigma and criminalization, particularly in regions historically affected by armed conflict and state neglect. This study is part of the OPTIONS Project funded by Grand Challenges Canada, aimed at strengthening sexual and reproductive health — including safe abortion — in Puerto Inírida (Guainía) and Mitú (Vaupés). The research component seeks to systematize the experiences of these strengthening strategies to assess their replicability in other regions with similar social and economic conditions. Funding: Grand Challenges Canada.
Thirteen years after abortion was decriminalized under certain circumstances, women still face significant barriers to safe abortion services. These barriers are tied to stigma and criminalization, particularly in regions historically affected by armed conflict and state neglect.
This study is part of the OPTIONS Project funded by Grand Challenges Canada, aimed at strengthening sexual and reproductive health — including safe abortion — in Puerto Inírida (Guainía) and Mitú (Vaupés). The research component seeks to systematize the experiences of these strengthening strategies to assess their replicability in other regions with similar social and economic conditions.
Funding: Grand Challenges Canada.
Real Options: Providing Abortion Services at Profamilia — 14 Years Guaranteeing Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health in Colombia
This study analyzes changes in key indicators reflecting progress and challenges in guaranteeing women’s sexual and reproductive rights in Colombia, focusing on the 14 years (2006–2020) since abortion was decriminalized under certain circumstances. It highlights milestones in the decriminalization process and their relation to trends in fertility rate, contraceptive use, unintended pregnancy, unmet contraceptive need, emergency contraception, and maternal mortality, as well as the evolution of Profamilia’s Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Program.
Funding: Anonymous donor.
Access to New Abortion Technology: Mifepristone in Colombia
Ensuring safe and legal abortion access and empowering women are essential for promoting human rights and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Colombia faces both great opportunities and challenges in advancing women’s rights and choices.
This study describes the sociodemographic characteristics of women who accessed mifepristone as a medical abortion method during its first year of implementation in Colombia. The introduction of mifepristone facilitated access to abortion and represented a milestone in guaranteeing women’s sexual and reproductive rights. The results confirmed that it is low-risk, easily accessible, and promotes equity, though access must still be expanded to poor and rural women and girls.
Funding: Asociación Profamilia.
Access to Safe Abortion During COVID-19: Challenges and Opportunities for Teleabortion Services in Colombia and Mexico
This study identified the challenges and opportunities for providing and expanding teleabortion services in Colombia and Mexico, based on the experiences of two leading sexual and reproductive health organizations: Profamilia (Colombia) and Mexfam (Mexico).
The findings aim to inform recommendations for strengthening telemedicine abortion services in both countries, particularly within organizations such as Profamilia and Mexfam.
Funding: Learning for Change, International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) – Western Hemisphere Region, and the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education (RFSU).
Access to Safe Abortion for Trans Men and Non-Binary People: An Exploratory Study in Colombia
This study addresses a frequently overlooked reality: abortion among trans men and non-binary people with the capacity to become pregnant. It seeks to make visible the right of all people with the capacity to gestate to safe abortion, recognizing it as part of the universal right to health and emphasizing equitable healthcare access for all, especially historically marginalized and discriminated groups.
The study aims to support specific actions that advance access to safe abortion as a sexual health service for everyone, based on the recognition of diverse needs, identities, and circumstances.
Funding: International Planned Parenthood Federation – Western Hemisphere Region (IPPF RHO), under the project “Advancing the Right to Abortion in Colombia.”