Research and Evaluation

Rapid diagnostic finger prick.

We conduct operations research and evaluation to help monitor and assess program progress, such as identifying indicators of quality to help PEPFAR monitor and evaluate HIV programs. URC designs targeted research to help answer key operational questions, such as how to improve use of impregnated bed nets to prevent malaria or how to set standards for programs for orphans and vulnerable children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.

In an article published by the online Malaria Journal, URC researchers examined the impact of job aids in performing rapid diagnostic tests for malaria among community health workers. Results indicate the job aid, especially when accompanied by training, significantly improves performance over using the manufacturer’s instructions alone.

With several highly trained researchers on staff, many affiliated with world-renowned research institutions, URC publishes several peer-reviewed journal articles each year. URC manages two USAID funded projects with significant research elements—the Health Care Improvement and Translating Research into Action projects.

We worked with WHO and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics to develop a job aid for community health workers to help them use rapid diagnostic tests for malaria.

Current Projects

Building Human Resource Capacity to Support Prevention, Care, and Treatment: Strategic Information and Other HIV/AIDS Programs
Funded By: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Project Duration: 2008 to present

Essential Obstetric and Newborn Care (EONC) in Cotopaxi, Ecuador
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2009 to present

Implementation Support for Non-Communicable Diseases and Injuries
Funded By: Millennium Challenge Corporation
Project Duration: 2009 to present

South Africa Tuberculosis Program
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2009 to present

Maternal and Newborn Health in Ethiopia Partnership (MaNHEP)
Funded By: Subaward from Emory University with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Project Duration: 2009 to present

Global Fund Consulting Services
Funded By: The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Project Duration: 2007 to present

Translating Research into Action (TRAction)
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2009 to present

Technical Assistance and Support Contract 3: Global Health (TASC3 Global Health)
Funded By: United States Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2007 to present

USAID Health Care Improvement Project (HCI) | Afghanistan
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2008 to present

USAID Health Care Improvement Project (HCI) | Ecuador
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2007 to present

USAID Health Care Improvement Project (HCI) | Ethiopia
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2007 to present

USAID Health Care Improvement Project (HCI) | Guatemala
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2008 to present

USAID Health Care Improvement Project (HCI) | Honduras
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2007 to present

USAID Health Care Improvement Project (HCI) | Global
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2007 to present

USAID Health Care Improvement Project (HCI) | Nicaragua
Funded By: United States Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2007 to present

USAID Health Care Improvement Project (HCI) | Niger
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2007 to present

USAID Health Care Improvement Project (HCI) | Russia
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2007 to present

USAID Health Care Improvement Project (HCI) | Tanzania
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2007 to present

USAID Health Care Improvement Project (HCI) | Uganda
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2007 to present

Underage Drinking Prevention Education Initiatives (UADPEI)
Funded By: US Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
Project Duration: 2009 to present

Integrated Infectious Disease Capacity Building Evaluation (IDCAP)
Funded By: Accordia Global Health Foundation
Project Duration: 2008-present

PrevenSIDA
Funded By: United States Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2010-present

Developing Strategies in the Central America and Panama Region to Strengthen Reponses to the HIV Epidemic
Funded By: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Project Duration: 2010 to present

Food and Technical Assistance (FANTA) II
Funded By: United States Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2010 to present

TB CARE II
Funded By: United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Project Duration: 2010 to present

Impact Evaluation Services
Funded By: Millennium Challenge Corporation
Project Duration: 2005 to present

USAID Primary Health Care Project in Iraq (PHCPI)
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2011-2015

Partnership for the Community Management of Child Health (Prise-C)
Funded By: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Project Duration: 2010 to present

Control and Prevention of Malaria (CAP-Malaria) Project
Funded By: US Agency for International Development Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID RDMA)
Project Duration: 2011 to present

Georgia Tuberculosis Prevention Project (TPP)
Funded By: US Agency for International Development (USAID)
Project Duration: 2011 to present

TB Program Evaluation in Benin
Funded By: The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Project Duration: 2011 to present

Past Projects

Data Quality Audit (DQA) Framework
Funded By: The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Project Duration: 2008-2010

Infant and Young Child Nutrition (IYCN)
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2006-2011

Management of Community Action Grants in Angola
Funded By: The World Bank
Project Duration: 2000

Rehabilitation of the Infrastructure of the Ministry of Health: Component on Investment in Health Education
Funded By: Inter-American Development Bank and the Ministry of Health of Argentina
Project Duration: 1995

Asia Family Planning Operations Research Project
Funded By: US Agency for International Development, Office of Population
Project Duration: 1985-1991

Quality Improvement Initiatives at the Acid Survivors Foundation
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2007-2008

Nongovernmental Organization Service Delivery Program in Bangladesh
Funded By: US Agency for International Development/Bangladesh
Project Duration: 2002-2006

Chile Child Survival Project Evaluation
Funded By: US Agency for International Development/Chile
Project Duration: 1993-1994

Creating a Reference Standard to Determine Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection Rates (CLABSI)
Funded By: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Project Duration: 2009 to 2010

Egypt Cost Recovery for Health Project
Funded By: US Agency for International Development/Egypt
Project Duration: 1995-1998

The Maram Project: Healthier Palestinian Families
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2002-2004

Diagnostic Test Cost Analysis for the Developing World
Funded By: The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Project Duration: 2007–2009

Partnerships for Health Reform Project and Partners for Health Reformplus
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 1995–2005

Primary Health Care Operations Research Project (PRICOR) I and II
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 1981–1991

Research, Information Sharing, and Facilitation
Funded By: US Department of Labor
Project Duration: 2004–2009

Water and Sanitation for Health
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 1988–1994

Quality in Health (Calidad en Salud)
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 1999-2009

Indonesia Management Information System Consultancy
Funded By: The World Bank
Project Duration: 1994-1996

Quality Assurance Project (QAP) I, II, and III
Funded By: US Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 1990-2008

Development of Harmonized Minimum Standards for the Prevention, Treatment and Management of Tuberculosis in the SADC Region
Funded By: Southern African Development Community
Project Duration: 2009-2010

Feasibility and Pilot Efficacy of Flash-Heated Breast Milk for Reduction of Maternal-to-Child Transmission of HIV in Tanzania
Funded By: The Thrasher Foundation and the National Institutes for Health
Project Duration: 2007-2009

Uganda: REDUCE II
Funded By: Academy for Educational Development
Project Duration: 2000-2001

Campaign for Our Children Media Initiative
Funded By: Maryland Governor’s Council on Adolescent Pregnancy
Project Duration: 1997

Occupational Analysis, Evaluation, Job Reclassification, and Career Development Consultation
Funded By: Cook County, Illinois Hospitals Governing Commission
Project Duration: 1970s

Communication Support for the National Eye Institute Information and Education Program
Funded By: US National Institutes of Health, National Eye Institute
Project Duration: 1988-1993

Evaluation of Family Planning Programs
Funded By: US Department of Health and Human Services
Project Duration: 1980-1985

Programmatic and Fiscal Audit of the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness
Funded By: Fulton County, Georgia, Department of Health and Wellness
Project Duration: 1998

Maryland Department of Transportation Human Resources Services
Funded By: State of Maryland Department of Transportation
Project Duration: 1994-1997

Quality Assurance Evaluation of the Peace Corps Medical Support System
Funded By: The US Peace Corps Office of Medical Service
Project Duration: 1991-1995

Philadelphia Police Examination
Funded By: City of Philadelphia, PA
Project Duration: 1993-1997

Research and Development of Instructional Technology, Performance Management, and Workforce Productivity
Funded By: US Office of Personnel Management
Project Duration: 1984-1990

National Research Utilization Project
Funded By: US Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice
Project Duration: 1976-1985

Technical Assistance and Support Contract 2 (TASC2): Global Health
Funded By: United States Agency for International Development
Project Duration: 2004–2009

Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Use Prevalence Survey, Phase II (HAI)
Funded By: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Project Duration: 2010-2011

Technical Assistance and Support Contract (TASC2) Tuberculosis
Funded By: United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Project Duration: 2004–2009