Postdoctoral Affiliate
Rose completed her thesis, entitled "Misconceptions or local realities? A biosocial approach to understanding variation in hormonal contraceptive side-effects in Ethiopia" in early 2024. This research aimed to better document variation and understand causes of contraceptive side-effect experiences using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies in and around the city of Adama in Ethiopia.
This project utilised a mixed-methods exploratory sequential design with 1) in-depth interviews and focus group discussions on perceptions about variation in contraceptive side-effects followed by 2) a risk factor analysis for discontinuation due to side-effects in secondary Demographic and Health Survey data, and 3) descriptive and risk factor analysis of our own primary longitudinal side-effect data, collected using a locally specific measurement instrument that was based on our initial qualitative findings.
Rose's research employs a biocultural anthropology approach in order to critique the current one size fits all model of contraceptive development and the use of an assumed biological norm in global health policy. This project also responds to calls from reproductive rights and justice advocates for greater focus on the development of improved, reduced side-effect methods of contraception.
Rose is currently working as a postdoctoral research fellow for the Policy Research Unit in Reproductive Health. She is based in the Institute for Women's Health at University College London. Here, she uses mixed methods approaches to investigate policy relevant challenges to enjoying good reproductive and sexual health in the UK.
Email: rose.stevens@anthro.ox.ac.uk
Publications
Stewart, C., Stevens, R., Kennedy, F., Cecula, P., Rueda Carrasco, E. and Hall, J. (under review, 2023 preprint). Experiences and Impacts of Side Effects among Contraceptive Users in the UK: Exploring Individual Narratives of Contraceptive Side Effects. The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care. doi: 10.1101/2023.10.02.23296334.
Stevens, R., Alvergne, A. and Vitzthum, VJ. (under review) Low Haemoglobin in Arduous Seasons Is Associated with Reduced Chance of Ovulation among Women Living in the Bolivian Altiplano. Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health.
Stevens, R., Gurmu, E., Ewart, E., Negash, A. & Alvergne, A. (accepted for publication) '“They will be like a person with a disease”: A qualitative investigation of variation in contraceptive side-effect experiences in Central Oromia, Ethiopia.' Journal of Biosocial Sciences.
Stevens, R., Machiyama, K., Vimbayi Mavodza, C. & Doyle, A. (2023). 'Misconceptions, misinformation, and misperceptions: a case for removing the “mis-” when discussing contraceptive beliefs'. Studies in Family Planning. 54:1. Special Issue on Indicators in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. https://doi.org/10.1111/sifp.12232
Stevens, R., Malbos, B., Gurmu, E., Riou, J. and Alvergne, A. (2022) ‘Anemic Women are More at Risk of Injectable Contraceptive Discontinuation due to Side Effects in Ethiopia’, Studies in Family Planning, 53(1), pp. 193–208. https://doi.org/10.1111/sifp.12186.
Alvergne, A. and Stevens, R. (2021) ‘Cultural change beyond adoption dynamics: evolutionary approaches to the discontinuation of contraception’, Evolutionary Human Sciences, 3, p. e13. doi: 10.1017/ehs.2021.8.
Alvergne, A., Stevens, R. and Gurmu, E. (2017) ‘Side effects and the need for secrecy: characterising discontinuation of modern contraception and its causes in Ethiopia using mixed methods’, Contraception and Reproductive Medicine. London, 2(24). doi: 10.1186/s40834-017-0052-7.
