Dr. Mmari’s work is primarily focused in the areas of youth friendly health services and risk and protective factors related to reproductive health outcomes among adolescents. She specializes in conducting qualitative research and evaluating health service programs aimed at improving the health and well being of adolescents (Mmari and Magnani 2003; Sovd, Mmari, et al., 2006). Internationally, Dr. Mmari has provided technical assistance for WHO, UNAIDS, and UNICEF to develop HIV strategies, indicators and survey modules for global adolescent health surveillance projects. She has also co-authored two manuals on monitoring and evaluating adolescent reproductive health projects for developing country health professionals and developed training materials for the FOCUS on Young Adults Program.

adolescent health, risk and protective factors, youth-friendly health services, developing countries, cross-cultural parenting

Mmari, K. and Blum, R. “Risk and Protective Factors Affecting Adolescent Reproductive Health in Developing Countries.” Global Public Health Journal (in press).

Mmari, K., Michealis, A., Kiro, K., Blum, R. and Urassa, M. “Risk and Protective Factors for HIV among Orphans and Non-Orphans in Tanzania: A Qualitative Analysis.” AIDS Care, 2008 (in press).

Mmari, K., Teufel-Shone, N., and Blum, R. “What Increases Risk and Protection for Delinquent Behaviors among American Indian Youth? Findings from Three Tribal Communities.” Journal of Youth and Society (in press).

Mmari, K., Roche, K., Sudhinaraset, M., and Blum, R. “When a Parent Goes Off to War: Exploring the Issues Faced by Adolescents and their Families.” Submitted to Journal of Youth and Society 7/2007.

Mmari, K., Astone, N., and Ferguson, J. "Knowing the ABCs of Parenting:How Parents Influence Adolescent Health Across Cultures." Submitted to Journal of Adolescent Health 6/2007.

Sovd, T., Mmari, K., Lipovsek, V. and Manaseki-Holland, S. “Acceptability as a Key Determinant of Client Satisfaction: Lessons from an Evaluation of Adolescent Friendly Health Services in Mongolia.” Journal of Adolescent Health, 2006: 38(5): 519-526.

Blum, R. and Mmari, K. “Adolescent Health in a Global Context.” Journal of Adolescent Health, 2004 35(5): 402-18.

Mmari, K and Magnani, R. “Does Making Clinic-Based Reproductive Health Services more “Youth Friendly” Increase Service Utilization by Adolescents? Evidence from Lusaka, Zambia.” Journal of Adolescent Health 2003 33(4): 259-70.

Nelson, K and Magnani, R. “How Effective are Youth Friendly Services in Increasing Service Utilization among Youth in Zambia.” FOCUS on Young Adults Report. June 2000.

Adamchak, S.; Bond, K.; Maclaren, L.; Magnani, R.; Nelson, K.; Seltzer, J. “Monitoring and Evaluating Adolescent Reproductive Health Programs.” FOCUS on Young Adults Tool Series 5. June 2000.

Speizer, I.; Hotchkiss, D.; Magnani, R.; Hubbard, B.; Nelson, K. “Do Service Providers in Tanzania Unnecessarily Restrict Clients’ Access to Contraceptive Methods?” In International Family Planning Perspectives, Vol. 26 (1); March 2000: pp. 13-20 and 42.

Nelson, K.; Maclaren, L.; Magnani, R. “Assessing and Planning for Youth-Friendly Reproductive Health Services.” FOCUS on Young Adults Tool Series 2. January 2000.