P.hd in Clinical Research

P.hd in Clinical Research

National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (NIRRH), formerly known as Institute for Research in Reproduction is a premier research institute of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). It is situated in the vicinity of a number of hospitals and research institutes in central Mumbai. Since its inception in 1970, it has been making vigorous efforts to improve the reproductive health of people through research, education and health care services. The Institute is affiliated to the University of Mumbai which awards degrees to the M.Sc. and Ph.D students in the areas of Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Biochemistry and Applied Biology. The Institute is one of the few centers in India , which can boast of a team of basic, clinical and operational research scientists and state-of-art laboratories equipped with modern facilities to carry out research on various components of reproductive health. Research programmes have also been initiated in new emerging areas such as stem cell biology, toxicology and transgenesis. The Institute is a WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Training in Reproductive Health. Collaborations are undertaken with national and international organizations in a global effort to promote research and dissemination of information on reproductive health matters .
The research interests of this group are research on newer contraceptives including, IUCDs, injectables, microbicides and other therapeutics for improving reproductive health. Clinical trials have been conducted for emergency contraceptive pills which have now been included in the National Family Welfare Programme. In addition, Studies on intrauterine contraceptive devices revealed that CuT 380 is an effective long term contraceptive and is now placed in the Family Planning program of India. Clinical and acceptability studies with injectable contraceptives are also carried to further facilitate the expansion of the contraceptive choice basket . Studies are underway to assess the safety, efficacy and acceptability of various contraceptive methods and to optimize their use within the prevailing health care infrastructure in the urban and rural setups.

Guidelines for diagnosis and management of reproductive tract infections at primary health care level have been developed. The department has conducted Phase-I and II clinical trials to assess safety and efficacy of microbicides.

The institute also undertook WHO collaborative Research to develop an optimal and effective dosage for first and second trimester abortions and also study the utility of misoprostol as a cervical ripening agent. These studies are undertaken in collaboration with the nearby medical Colleges and hospitals. These study results in conjunction with other national studies have culminated in granting approval for medical methods for termination of pregnancies with less than 7 weeks of gestation subsequent to amendment of the MTP act of the country. Other studies are being pursued on provision of safe abortion services as well as understanding the reasons for repeated abortions by the women.

Clinical research group has also conducted studies on the prevalence of menopausal symtomatology, and sexuality aspects in menopausal women. Focus of research to study the extent of osteoporosis among women with therapeutic options, prevalence of osteoporosis among different socio-economic strata, across ages and in both men and women has also been addressed. Intervention studies to improve the bone health by increasing the bone mineral density are also being dealt with.

Community based regular orientation workshops for medical officers and nurses are carried out in the corporation health posts and nursing students are conducted on relevant issues.

The clinicians develop active collaborative projects with the basic scientists at the institute for which clinic clientele are motivated to participate in the studies following informed consent.