Sexual and Reproductive Health – Marie Klingberg-Allvin research group

The Sexual and Reproductive Health research group advances SRHR through evidence-based research, policy engagement, and capacity building. Working across humanitarian, low-resource, and high-income settings, the group generates knowledge to strengthen health systems and promote equitable care. Key focus areas include pregnancy, delivery, abortion care, contraception, menstrual health, and midwifery. The group emphasizes midwife-led care models, quality improvement, and addressing the SRHR needs

About our research 

The Sexual and Reproductive Health research group focuses on advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) through evidence-based research, policy engagement, and capacity building. The group works across diverse global contexts—spanning humanitarian, low-resource, and high-income settings—to generate knowledge that informs practice, strengthens health systems, and promotes equitable access to care. Capacity building is a core component of the group’s work, with strong partnerships to support the development of local research expertise, midwifery leadership, and sustainable health system improvements in both global and national settings.

Research areas

The research addresses critical areas such as pregnancy, delivery, comprehensive abortion care including contraception, menstrual health, and the role of midwifery. The group employs a broad range of study designs and methods and interdisciplinary collaboration in countries like Somalia, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sweden, and Canada. A key focus is on enhancing midwife-led care models, improving quality of care, and addressing the unique SRHR needs of marginalized populations, including migrants and youth.

Menstrual Health - a life course perspective

Menstrual health across the life course refers to the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being in relation to the menstrual cycle, from menarche (the first period) through the reproductive years, and into perimenopause and menopause. It encompasses not only the absence of menstrual-related disorders but also the ability to access accurate information, appropriate care, supportive environments, and dignified management of menstruation at every stage of life. Our group explores how menstrual health is experienced at various life stages, particularly among marginalized populations such as migrants and those affected by female genital mutilation, to inform inclusive and responsive health interventions. We further have a specific focus on Youth SRH which encompasses how oppressed SRHR impacts the health, gender equality, and equity of young people in Sweden.

List of on-going research projects:

  • Inequities in sexual and menstrual health among young people in Sweden
  • Sexual and reproductive justice – exploring honour-based violence among young people in Sweden and co-creation of public health interventions with end-user and stakeholder involvement
  • Menstrual health among women with experience of female genital mutilation/cutting
  • Experiences of Peri and Menopause transition among women in Sweden
  • Breaking Barriers: Advancing Research on Heavy Menstrual Bleeding, Treatment Access and Education in Somaliland

 

Publications

All publications from group members

Staff and contact

Group leader

All members of the group

Keywords:
Abortion, Induced Childbirth and Maternity care Contraception Epidemiology Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy Menopause Menstrual Cycle Midwifery Pregnant People Public Health Systems Research Public Health, Global Health and Social Medicine Reproductive Health Reproductive Rights Sexual Health Show all
Content reviewer:
03-06-2025