SAHELI
Study and Action on Hysterectomy: Evidence on women’s health through the Life course in India
SAHELI
Study and Action on Hysterectomy: Evidence on Women’s Health through the Life Course in India
In India, at least 1 in 10 women have undergone hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) by age 50, at a median age of 37—at least ten years before natural menopause. In some states, prevalence is up to 22% and at a younger age.
Early hysterectomy can have severe consequences on women’s health through the life course. In response, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare introduced National Guidelines on Preventing Unnecessary Hysterectomy in 2023.
The SAHELI study examines the causes and consequences of hysterectomy and aims to identify feasible interventions to improve women’s health in India. It is funded by the DBT / Wellcome Trust India Alliance through a Team Science Grant (2023-2028).
Source: National Family Health Survey-5, 2019-21
The SAHELI Study
SAHELI (Study on Action on Hysterectomy: Evidence on Women’s Health through the Life Course in India) examines the causes and consequences of hysterectomy and aims to identify feasible interventions to improve women’s health in India. It is funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT)/Wellcome India Alliance through a Team Science Grant (2023-2028).
Our mixed-methods study examines social and biological determinants, treatment pathways and health system responses, and the consequences of early hysterectomy (before age 45) on women’s health and well-being. The Team Science grant is led by an all-women team, with principal investigators from Population Council Institute, AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Patna, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), The George Institute for Global Health India and UQ.