Effective Care Research Unit (ECRU), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
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Clinical trials The Unit has sustained an active programme of randomized clinical trials to answer important intervention questions relating to maternal and perinatal health in low-resource settings. The Calcium and Pre-eclampsia study is in the fifth year of recruitment, with 90% of the sample size recruited. ECRU is the lead institution in this placebo-controlled trial of calcium supplementation commencing before pregnancy in women with previous pre-eclampsia. The study sites are East London, CHBH, University of Cape Town, University of Stellenbosch, Harare University and several sites in Argentina. Co-ordination is by World Health Organisation, and funding via the University of British Columbia, and Grantee of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In 2015, we commenced recruitment for the Gentle Assisted Pushing study to assess the benefits and risks of upright posture and upright posture with controlled manual fundal pressure, versus routine care in the second stage of labour. The study is coordinated and funded by the World Health Organization. In the biennium, we continued preparations for participation in the ECHO study, a multi-centre randomized trial comparing pregnancy risk and HIV acquisition between three contraceptive options: Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, levonorgestrel implants and the copper intrauterine device. |
Systematic reviews The Unit has continued to update and add to over fifty Cochrane systematic reviews published in the Cochrane Library. Innovations A new method of management of shoulder dystocia called Posterior Axilla Sling Traction has been designed, which has been included in obstetric training programme in several countries.
Research training Research methods courses, funded by World Health Organization, for researchers from South Africa and the WHO AFRO region are run on an annual basis. Research recognition The Unit received re-accreditation as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Research Synthesis in Reproductive Health in 2015 |
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Unit Director: Professor Justus Hofmeyr