Effective Care Research Unit

Effective Care Research Unit is a university-based research entity in South Africa, established in the early 2000s as a public academic unit focused on maternal and reproductive health. It operates through international collaborations and supports evidence generation to strengthen clinical practice and policy in low- and middle-income settings.

Its research centers on postpartum hemorrhage, labour management, and implementation of evidence-based care bundles such as E-MOTIVE. Trials and process evaluations demonstrate strength in pragmatic randomized designs, implementation science, and translation of innovations like calibrated drapes and low-cost uterine tamponade into routine care.

Another major focus is contraceptive safety and HIV risk, including hormonal effects, sexual behavior, and policy guidance. Through large multicountry randomized trials, the unit has shaped global guidance on injectable contraception and informed ethical counseling practices, reinforcing its role in advancing reproductive health policy and clinical standards.