| The Population Research Centre (PRC) of the University of Groningen distinguishes two major research themes: monitoring of demographic change and reproductive health. In the first theme, population trends are documented and used to prepare demographic forecasts for the world, regions of the world, and individual countries. The research involves some primary data collection, but more importantly the analysis of data from the demographic and health surveys that during the most recent decade have been organised in many developing countries. New methods of analysis are developed to detect shifts in demographic behaviour and to assess the impact on demographic behaviour of socio-economic conditions, shocks (e.g. environmental catastrophes), policies and programmes. The second theme addresses the factors that affect the reproductive health of women and adolescents. The research is organised in a research programme HERA (Healthy Reproduction: Research and Action), which is a joint initiative of the PRC and the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI) in The Hague. There is a particular emphasis on the how people perceive reproductive health and the access they have or do not have to relevant knowledge and health services. Results of scientific research are submitted to governments and NGOs to help them design theory-driven interventions, i.e. health programmes based on sound research. The two themes cover several related projects, predominantly in India and Bangladesh, and implemented in close cooperation with institutions in these countries. |
