Operations Research

THE STANDARD DAYS METHOD

In collaboration with international partners in six countries, the Institute for Reproductive Health conducted operations research (OR) studies on the introduction of the Standard Days Method® (SDM). To achieve a geographic and cultural balance, 14 studies were conducted in Latin America, Asia and Africa.

Standard Days Method

TwoDay Method

Three studies were conducted in Honduras, one in Ecuador and two in El Salvador. In Asia, five studies were carried out: two in India and three in the Philippines. In Africa, three studies were conducted in Benin. Partners represented the public sector, private family planning associations, and community-based organizations.

The four issues addressed in these studies include:

Organizational feasibility: What does an organization need to do to provide high-quality SDM services? Is the SDM a sustainable option for the organization?
Quality of care: How does introducing the SDM affect quality of care? How does the staff need to be equipped to provide the method? What kind of follow-up protocols are needed?
Users’ perspectives and needs: Who uses the SDM and why do clients choose it? What is their actual experience with correct use, satisfaction, and continuation? How are men involved in method use and what strategies are used to avoid unprotected sex during the fertile window? How do cultural and gender norms influence method use?
Outcome: How does introducing the SDM affect a program’s method mix? How does adding SDM affect contraceptive prevalence in a community?

Click on the links below for salient findings and executive summaries by topics of studies that have been completed and for descriptions of studies underway. For copies of reports, please send your request to irhinfo@georgetown.edu

Studies Completed:	Studies Underway:
Male Involvement Testing Counseling Strategies Improving Informed Choice Impact of SDM Introduction on Contraceptive Prevalence Offering the SDM in Public, Private, and Community Programs Willingness to Pay Comparing the SDM to Other Methods: Experiences of new users	Studying Alternative Tools to teach the SDM Offering the SDM Through Social Marketing Programs Impact of SDM Scaling up Interventions Testing Strategies for Provider Knowledge Improvement Studying long term SDM use

THE TWODAY METHOD

The TwoDay Method is much earlier on its journey on the research-to-practice continuum than the Standard Days Method. Its efficacy and long-term use have been tested, and an introduction study testing regular service delivery by the public sector is underway in Nicaragua. In addition to assessing feasibility and demand, this study is examining the optimal timing for providing the method. Specifically, the study will explore if the method can be taught during the first few cycle days or if it can be started at any time during the cycle.