KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET

Department of Public Health Sciences

Division of International Health (IHCAR)

IHCAR is the Division of International Health (IHCAR), a department in the Karolinska Institutet (KI) Medical University in Stockholm, conducts international health research and training.

IHCAR's education activities are oriented towards global health with a focus on health problems primarily in developing countries and on methodological issues regarding health research in these countries. IHCAR strives to build capacity and technical expertise by organizing and carrying out sexual and reproductive health research activities and trainings within the countries.

Coordinating team

Staffan Bergström, Professor of International Health, IHCAR

Professor Bergström is a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology, with extensive experience in research and training on maternal morbidity and mortality in Africa. He has worked extensively supervising research on the role of midlevel providers (midwives and assistant medical doctors) in abortion care and life-saving skills in rural Mozambique.

Bengt Estborn, MD, Webmaster

Dr. Estborn is a specialist in clinical pathology with assignments as director of hospital laboratories in Sweden, the Middle East and South East Asia. He has developed and managed the websites for the global network QWeb, a Women's Empowerment Base, and the Male Network Association in Sweden.

Annika Johansson, PhD, Sociologist

Dr. Johansson has been involved in research and research supervision on the social context of reproduction, family planning and abortion for many years. She is currently involved in an intervention project on abortion counseling and care in Vietnam. She is participating in research projects on maternal mortality and abortion in Uganda, Tanzania and Palestine.

Anna-Berit Ransjö-Arvidson, PhD, Nurse/Midwife

Dr. Ransjö-Arvidson is a senior lecturer with clinical, teaching and research experience in sexual and reproductive health, including family planning and abortion services in Sweden, Algeria and Zambia. Currently, she is teaching and supervising midwifery research projects in Sweden, Kenya, Swaziland, Zambia and Russia. The projects focus on various aspects of quality of care in maternity services.

Kajsa Sundström, Professor

Professor Sundström is a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology. She previously served as Senior Medical Officer at the National Board of Health and Welfare in Sweden, coordinating national programs on family planning, abortion and training of midwives in contraceptive services. She has conducted abortion related research in both Sweden and Zambia. Currently, Professor Sundström is involved in a multi-country study on adolescent abortion in Western countries.