The Institute has followed a research-to-practice model in the development of the Standard Days Method® (SDM)and has collaborated with a wide range of research partners in this process. After establishing the theoretical basis of the method, it was tested in a multi-country efficacy study. Following the successful results of this study, the method was introduced on a small scale through pilot studies around the world. Studies on different service delivery strategies, long-term follow up studies, and larger-scale integration studies followed. This research led to establishment of best practices to provide SDM and development of guides and simple tools to help organizations incorporate the method into programs and services (see SDM Resources). Research on scaling-up efforts and new service delivery strategies is currently underway (see FAM Project).

Navigate through the following sections to read about SDM research results to date:

• Efficacy and continuation >
• User characteristics >
• Impact on family planning services and contraceptive prevalence >
  
• Social marketing >
  
• Male involvement & couple communication >
• SDM introduction in the U.S. >