Addis Ababa University (AAU) Institute of Development and Policy Research organized a consultative stakeholders’ workshop on Overcoming Contraceptive Discontinuation on 10 March 2020 at Ghion Hotel.

The purpose of the workshop was to introduce the background, aim and methodology of overcoming contraceptive discontinuation by overcoming side effects based on feedbacks obtained from important individuals working in the field of public health research and family planning services.

Getnet Alemu (PhD), Director for AAU Institute of Development and Policy Research, in his introductory remark said, “AAU has a wider vision of becoming a research university in which all staff members are engaged in knowledge generating and enhancing as well as doing problem solving studies to assist the country’s move to join the middle income nations by 2025.”

Dr. Getnet further noted that involving in service providing policy and development oriented research is one part of the strategy of AAU, because problem solving research needs the active involvement of government sectors that deal with the issue on a day to day bases.

Taddele Kebede (PhD), from FDRE Ministry of Health in his opening remark stated that the Ministry is working to promote family planning by producing evidence-based guidelines on safety and service delivery of contraceptive methods, developing quality standards and providing pre-qualification of contraceptive commodities.

Dr. Taddele added that this timely and important research, whilst still in need in Ethiopia, is designed with better understanding, and seeks solutions for contraceptive discontinuation for which side effect is a leading cause.

Ass. Prof. Eshetu Gurmu (PhD) from AAU, Ass. Prof. Alexandra Alvergne and Rose Stevens (Resident Research Coordinator) from University of Oxford delivered their research findings on “Overcoming Contraceptive Discontinuation by overcoming side-effects: paving the way for personalized contraception in Central Ethiopia”. The research was conducted in three most populous sites of Ethiopia i.e. Oromia, SNNP and Amhara regions.

The project was funded by the Well come Trust and United Kingdom. It was also run by the Institute of Development and Policy Research, and College of Health Sciences from AAU in collaboration with the University of Oxford, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the United Kingdom.

By: Netsanet Merete

Photograph: Fikremariam Beyene