Male reproductive health research needs and research agenda: Asian and Chinese perspective.
Research that addresses male reproductive health should assist in the development of reproductive health programmes and policy; identify and test new leads in male contraceptive technology; establish effective male involvement initiatives which are likely to have a positive impact on the reproductive health of men and women; guide the allocation of health care resources to ensure cost-effectiveness of interventions; generate new knowledge, develop diagnostic technology in reproductive health and offer optimal treatment/care regimens. In considering the needs and demands of male reproductive health research in Asia and the Pacific, the following six research topics are recommended as the priority research areas: male contraceptive technology; male reproductive health behaviour and male adolescent reproductive health; male reproductive aging including male menopause and other diseases; male RTIs, STDs, HIV/AIDS; prevalence, management and prevention of male infertility; environment and semen quality and other male reproductive problems. One of the major challenges now facing us is the elaboration of a comprehensive, yet realistic male reproductive health research agenda that reflect the needs and demands of Asian developing countries. To this end, to make use of an interdisciplinary approach is of strategic importance. The most creative insights and productive leads are likely to emerge from a research team that is interdisciplinary especially in the field of reproductive health.
Department of Reproductive Health and Research, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland. wangy@who.int
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001208:Asia; D002681:China; D003267:Contraception; D005260:Female; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011158:Population Growth; D015995:Prevalence; D018456:Reproductive Medicine; D012106:Research; D012737:Sex Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology