The Pop Reporter®
– Events – Archives – Subscribe – Modify Profile – Headline Sharing Program – The Pop Reporter en Espaņol (Spanish)
Volume 3, Number 2
13 January 2003
FAMILY PLANNING / REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH LAW AND POLICY
China Encourages Voluntary Family-planning Efforts in Rural Areas
(news article)
Family-planning efforts conducted by Chinese rural residents voluntarily
have become an important component of China's overall family-planning
program, according to Zhang Weiqing, minister in charge of the State
Family Planning Commission.
Domestic
Violence a TV Hit in China (news article)
"Don't Talk to Strangers,'' a 23-part series that ran on Chinese
networks and is being marketed abroad, has been credited with bringing
the uncomfortable subject of domestic violence into the open in
an unprecedented way for China, where traditional culture teaches
that family problems should stay within the family.
Ghana:
Mutilation Tale a Lie, Feds Tell B'klyn Jury (news article)
A woman from Ghana made a "mockery of the immigration system
and real victims of female genital mutilation" with her phony
claim for political asylum, a federal prosecutor charged yesterday.
Regina Danson, 33, whose cause was supported by then-First Lady
Hillary Clinton, actress Julia Roberts and activist Gloria Steinem,
had argued in immigration court in 1997 that she would be sexually
mutilated if she were deported to Ghana. Assistant U.S. Attorney
Ronnie Abrams told jurors in Brooklyn Federal Court yesterday that
Danson, who had entered the U.S. illegally, "formulated an
elaborate lie" in order to stay.
Prostitution
an Economic Force in China (news article)
Although prostitution is technically illegal, the government in
China winks at the sex for sale by women and men, who have grown
more brazen in peddling their bodies to foreign diplomats and businessmen.
China
Lays Out Family Planning Schemes to Boost Development (news
article)
The world's most populous country, has mapped out a three-step family-planning
scheme to ensure that its population will stay within 1.5 billion
by 2020 and achieve stable economic development.
FAMILY PLANNING / REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RESEARCH
Prescribing
Oral Contraceptives for Women Older than 35 Years of Age (research
abstract)
This paper addresses the use of combined oral contraceptives in
women older than 35 years of age, including the potential risks
and benefits, pretreatment assessment, common side effects and their
management, appropriate follow-up, and diagnosis of menopause. The
case-based discussion also focuses on issues that pertain to women
who smoke, have hypertension, or have dyslipidemia.
The
Role of Men in Fertility and Family Planning Program in Tigray Region
(research article)
This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess Tigrian men's
role on fertility and their attitudes towards family planning, to
compare in which ways and to what extent they differ from their
wives/partners and its implications for future family planning programs.
Results suggest that men's fertility intentions, reproductive preferences
and their attitude towards family planning seem to influence the
fertility behavior of their wives and their attitudes towards the
use of modern contraceptives. In an attempt to promote reproductive
health through the increasing use of modern contraceptives, family
planning programs need to target men specifically at all levels
of the program.
Estate
Women's Fertility in Sri Lanka: Some Aberrant Perspectives in the
Causal Links
(research article)
This study looks at the fertility trends of the estate women in
Sri Lanka since the mid-1940s and brings to light the determinants
that contributed to the anomalous course. Despite these women recording
a high degree of labour force participation, far less contraceptive
use and their age at marriage being lower than other ethnic groups,
their fertility performance was the lowest. This deviant fertility
behaviour and the obscure nature of the determinants at work hinges
on negative factors. Their impoverished state due to low nutritional
levels resulted in their inability to reproduce. Hence, their low
fertility signalled the prevalent deprivation factors. However,
the changing ownership of the plantations and the concomitant amelioration
programmes mooted since the late 1970s provided better life and
stepped up their potency to reproduce. Consequently, they showed
a rising trend in fertility and currently record the highest level
vis-a-vis other ethnic groups. Their current high fertility levels
reflect a rational association with demographic variables and the
socio-economic milieu that surrounds them.
FAMILY PLANNING / REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH NEWS
Young
Africans Reject Genital Mutilation (news article)
A young Ethiopian couple's wedding became a demonstration against
female genital mutilation.
Breast
Cancer Drug Used to Boost Fertility (news article)
Tamoxifen, the world's most successful breast cancer drug, may now
have a new role as a fertility booster for women being treated for
the disease.
imbabwe: Mutare Residents Pull Down Condom Billboard (news article)
A billboard in Mutare's Dangamvura suburb advertising the use of
condoms was pulled down by angry residents who said it promoted
promiscuity and premarital sex among the youths.
HIV / AIDS RESEARCH
Height,
Weight, and Growth in Children Born to Mothers with HIV-1 Infection
in Europe (research abstract)
Related news article: Normal
Growth in HIV-Exposed, Seronegative Children
A large and long study of European children exposed to HIV found
that those born uninfected have normal height and weight growth
patterns. Although children infected at birth grew much more slowly
than their uninfected counterparts, growth improved after the introduction
of antiretroviral combinations.
Knowledge
and Practice of Condom in Preventing HIV/AIDS Infection Among Commercial
Sex Workers in Three Small Towns of Northwestern Ethiopia (research
article)
This study investigated the knowledge and use of condoms among commercial
sex workers in the prevention of HIV/AIDS in three rural towns of
northwestern Ethiopia. The level of knowledge of commercial sex
workers about HIV/AIDS and condoms were very high compared to their
experience of using condoms. A higher condom use rate was observed
as the level of educational status of commercial sex workers increased.
HIV
Knowledge and Risk Factors Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Ho
Chi Minh City, Vietnam (PubMed abstract)
Related news article: Risky
Sex, Poor HIV Knowledge Among Vietnamese Gays
Men who have sex with men in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, practice
risky sex and have an inaccurate appreciation of their chances of
infection.
Sexual
Behaviour Related to HIV/AIDS: Commercial Sex and Condom Use in
Hanoi, Viet Nam
(research article)
This study surveyed 493 men aged 18 to 45 years in Hanoi, including
students, factory workers, government officials, businessmen and
mobile workers. Findings indicate that commercial sex is obviously
an urgent issue in Viet Nam because of the high prevalence, frequency
and duration of the visits to prostitutes. Not only do middle-aged
men and wealthy people visit sex workers, but also young and poor
people. Even for those with high education and a happy married life,
there is still a number who visit commercial sex workers. People
born in rural areas are more likely to visit sex workers than those
born in urban areas.
Course
and Outcome of Pregnancy in 54 Persistently HIV-1-seronegative Sex
Workers and Their Infants (PubMed abstract)
Related news article: Pregnancy
May Not Imperil HIV-negative Prostitutes
In this study of prostitutes in India, women who had been repeatedly
exposed to HIV without becoming infected themselves had normal pregnancies
and gave birth to healthy babies. Neither the babies nor the mothers
became HIV-positive during the study. The researchers are not sure
how the women have been able to stay HIV-negative, but they suggest
that some people may have some sort of natural immunity against
the virus.
The
Effect of Race/Ethnicity on the Outcome of Highly Active Antiretroviral
Therapy for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infected Patients
(research abstract)
Related news article: Response
to AIDS Drugs Equal Across Race: Study
In this Danish study, 389 whites and 135 nonwhites started receiving
HAART before 1 April 2001. After 1 year of treatment, 78% of nonwhites
and 76% of whites achieved a virus load of <500 HIV RNA copies/mL.
Researchers concluded that race and ethnic origin play no major
role in the outcome associated with HAART if access to health care
is free.
Cellular
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Protective Factors: A Comparison
of HIV-Exposed Seronegative Female Sex Workers and Female Blood
Donors in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire (research abstract)
Related news article: Protective
Factors Still Covert in Uninfected Sex Workers
Some immunologic factors differed between HIV-exposed but uninfected
women and uninfected seronegative blood donors. But none of the
differences offered clear protection against HIV infection.
HIV / AIDS NEWS
Condom
Ad Creates Frenzy (news article)
Young and old, rich and poor, yuppies, students and even their parents
are all a-frenzy over the new Frenzy TV commercial which started
airing recently in The Philippines. Some may be offended by it,
but more are amused. Overall, pundits in the advertising industry
agree the TV commercial is doing what it has set out to do, that
is, catch the attention of targets of Frenzy, the colorful, hip
and scented condoms.
Why
Senegal's Bold Anti-AIDS Program Is Working (news article)
Prostitution was legalized in Senegal in 1969, and today the government
tolerates it as long as each prostitute registers with the state,
is over 21 years old, and comes regularly to a center run by the
Ministry of Health for checkups, education, and medical treatment.
And that's a big reason why this West African nation of 10.5 million,
according to the World Health Organization, has an HIV infection
rate of about 2 percent while many of its nearest neighbors face
rates several times higher.
Press
Briefing by Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa (press briefing)
Related news article: AIDS
in Africa Can Be Beat with Adequate Resources, UN Envoy Says
The top United Nations envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa today that his
recent two-week tour of the southern part of the continent had reinforced
his fundamental conviction that a concerted effort between the African
people and the international community can defeat the deadly disease.
No matter how terrible the scourge of AIDS, no matter how limited
the capacity to respond, no matter how devastating the human toll,
it is absolutely certain that the pandemic can be turned around
with a joint and Herculean effort between the African countries
themselves and the international community.
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH
Effect
of Serologic Status and Cesarean Delivery on Transmission Rates
of Herpes Simplex Virus From Mother to Infant (research abstract)
Related news article: C-section
Lowers Herpes Risk for Newborns
Researchers found that a cesarean section in women who have active
herpes infections reduces the risk that their newborns will be infected
with the virus. The study also found that women who had been infected
with herpes relatively recently were more likely to pass on the
virus to their babies than women who had been infected for a longer
time.
Male
Predominance in Fetal Distress During Labor (research abstract)
Related news article: Baby
Boys at Greater Risk Than Girls During Birth
In an analysis of more than 400,000 births in the Netherlands from
1990 to 1994, male fetuses were significantly more likely than females
to experience so-called fetal distress. When a fetus goes into distress
because of a lack of oxygen, immediate delivery may be necessary.
After researchers took into account birth weight and whether or
not a fetus was premature, males had a 48% higher risk of fetal
distress than females.
Ruptured
Uterus: Eight Year Retrospective Analysis of Causes and Management
Outcome in Adigrat Hospital, Tigray Region, Ethiopia
(research article)
A retrospective study was carried out to describe the frequency,
cause, treatment, complications, and maternal and fetal mortality
associated with ruptured uterus. A total of 54 cases of ruptured
uterus and 5,980 hospital deliveries were recorded. Maternal case
fatality rate was 11.1% and fetal case fatality rate was 98.1%.
Ruptured uterus contributed 24% of all causes of maternal deaths
in the hospital within the study period. The authors call for an
integrated effort to prevent the causes of uterine rupture and ensure
prompt management to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality and
morbidity.
Effects
of Acute Diarrhea on Linear Growth in Peruvian Children (research
abstract)
To study the effect of diarrhea on height during childhood, the
authors followed a birth cohort of 224 Peruvian children for 35
months with records of daily diarrhea and monthly anthropometry.
At 24 months of age, study children were 2.5 cm shorter than the
US National Center for Health Statistics/World Health Organization
growth reference. A diarrheal prevalence of 2.3% in the first 24
months of life explained 2-27% of this growth deficit. In addition,
the adverse effects of diarrhea on height varied by age. Diarrhea
during the first 6 months of life resulted in long-term height deficits
that were likely to be permanent. In contrast, diarrhea after 6
months of age showed transient effects.
Quality
Assessment of the Antenatal Program for Anaemia in Rural Tanzania
(research abstract)
The object of the study was to assess the quality of antenatal care
with respect to anemia, a common health problem, in a developing
country. Three hundred and seventy-nine consecutively enrolled pregnant
women from16 randomly selected antenatal clinics, including 10 dispensaries,
four rural health centers and two hospitals. Researchers noted availability
of infrastructure for management of anemia, observed provider-client
interaction, and interviewed women who attended antenatal clinics.
An observer and health workers measured hemoglobin levels and their
measurements were compared. Results showed that half of the rural
health clinics had no instrument to measure hemoglobin. The majority
(58%) of pregnant women were not checked for anemia at all, 10%
were clinically examined, and 37% had hemoglobin assessed.
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NEWS
Gambia:
Social Welfare Raises Concern Over High Rate of Baby Dumping
(news article)
Gambia's director of Social Welfare has said her department is concern
over the high rate of baby dumping in the county.
Officials
Investigating Why at Least 24 Babies Have Died in Less Than Month
at Southern Mexico Hospital (news article)
State health officials in southern Mexico were investigating Tuesday
why at least 24 babies had died in less than a month at a city hospital
near Mexico's border with Guatemala. Officials at the Hospital Regional
in Comitan said there has been a sharp increase in infant mortality
rates in the last month, but it was unclear why. Ten of the babies
who died were born premature, and two of them had congenital heart
problems.
Child
Mortality: Editorial Blasts Weak Political Will to Avert Deaths
(editorial)
Despite a drop in child mortality rates worldwide, rates in developing
nations are on the rise or holding steady and international efforts
to reverse the trend remain unfocused, according to an editorial
in the current issue of The Lancet.
MEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH
Reversible
Infertility in Male Mice After Oral Administration of Alkylated
Imino Sugars: A Nonhormonal Approach to Male Contraception (research
article)
Related news article: A
Hormone-Free Male "Pill"?
A drug recently approved in Europe to treat the genetic disorder
Gaucher disease might someday find its way as a hormone-free male
contraceptive.
Weekly
High-Dose Calcitriol and Docetaxel in Metastatic Androgen-Independent
Prostate Cancer (research abstract)
Related news article: Report
Shows Benefits of Combining Vitamin D with Taxotere for Advanced
Prostate Cancer
The addition of high-dose calcitriol (the active form of vitamin
D) to weekly treatment with the chemotherapy agent docetaxel appears
to improve the therapeutic response in men with androgen-independent
prostate cancer without compromising safety.
What
Do We Know About Men's Fertility Levels in Australia? (research
abstract)
Related news article: Australia:
Men Hold Key to Declining Fertility
Generation X men in their thirties are twice as likely as women
of the same age to be childless, according to new research on male
fertility.
MEN'S HEALTH NEWS
Over-The-Counter
Test Gauges Male Fertility (news article)
Finally, there's an over-the-counter fertility test for men available
in the US. FertilMARQ evaluates the number of sperm a man is producing.
Viagra
Can Cause Blood Clots, Heart Attack (news article)
The drug Viagra appears to stimulate the formation of blood clots,
which could explain the heart attacks and strokes experienced by
some men taking the erectile dysfunction drug, scientists said.
Viagra
Risks Cut Down by One as Study Finds Blood Flow in Eyes Unaffected
by Sex Drive Drug (news abstract)
Related news article: Australia:
Men Hold Key to Declining Fertility
When Viagra was introduced in 1999, the drug's manufacturer warned
of a number of visual side effects, including possible nerve damage
to the eyes. But a UC Irvine College of Medicine study rules out
some of these risks--even when the drug is taken in high doses.
POPULATION RESEARCH
Viet
Nam's Older Population: The View from the Census
(research article)
This study provides a descriptive analysis of Viet Nam's older population
based primarily on special tabulations from the 3 per cent public
use sample of the 1999 census. Comparison with the 1989 census reveals
remarkable stability in the living arrangements of Vietnamese elderly,
with respect to co-residence with children, even as the country
is undergoing a major transformation of its economy. Rural elderly
are far more likely to remain economically active and to be clearly
disadvantaged, in terms of educational attainment, housing quality
and access to mass media. Women compare unfavourably to men with
respect to formal educational attainment and literacy and are far
more likely to be widowed. Older men and women, however, do not
differ in terms of housing quality or in the likelihood of co-residing
with children.
Europe: Demographic Yearbook 2002 (introduction and executive summary)
The report provides current comparative data on population, fertility,
mortality, migration, marriages and divorces for the member states
of the Council of Europe. While most countries still experience
positive natural increase, in general the rate of increase is on
the decline throughout Europe. Fertility is below replacement in
nearly all countries. Only Turkey (TFR of 2.51) recorded a TFR in
excess of the replacement level.
POPULATION NEWS
UAE
Population Grows Sharply in Last 20 Years (news article)
More than 910,000 children have been born in the United Arab Emirates
(UAE) over a period of 20 years at an average of 125 a day, one
of the highest birth rates in the world, official figures show.
WOMEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH
Quality
Assurance in Follow-up and Initial Treatment for Screening Mammography
Programs in 22 Countries (research abstract)
The objective of the study was to describe the quality assurance
activities related to follow-up evaluation of abnormal screening
mammograms and subsequent initial treatment of women determined
to have breast cancer for the screening programs represented in
the International Breast Cancer Screening Network (IBSN). Results
show that IBSN countries vary in their implementation of procedures
and measures to assure the quality of follow-up and initial treatment
for women with abnormal screening mammograms. There is more emphasis
on collecting and evaluating data than establishing mechanisms to
ensure that the processes of care for follow-up and initial treatment
are of high quality.
Incidence
of Invasive Breast Cancer by Hormone Receptor Status from 1992 to
1998 (research abstract)
Between 1987 and 1998, breast cancer incidence rates rose 0.5%/yr
in the United States. A question of potential etiologic and clinical
importance is whether the hormone receptor status of breast tumors
is also changing over time. This is because hormone receptor status
may reflect different etiologic pathways and is useful in predicting
response to adjuvant therapy and prognosis. Researchers concluded
that from 1992 to 1998, the proportion of tumors that are hormone
receptor-positive rose as the proportion of hormone receptor-negative
tumors declined. Because the incidence rates of hormone receptor-negative
tumors remained fairly constant over these years, the overall rise
in breast cancer incidence rates in the United States seems to be
primarily a result of the increase in the incidence of hormone receptor-positive
tumors. Hormonal factors may account for this trend.
Menopausal
Hormone Therapy: Summary of a Scientific Workshop (workshop
summary)
This article summarizes a National Institutes of Health workshop
on menopausal hormone therapy held in October 2002.
Glycemic
Effects of Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy: The Heart and Estrogen/progestin
Replacement Study (research article)
Related news article: Hormone
Replacement Therapy Reduces Diabetes Rates in Some Women
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can reduce diabetes by 35% in
women with coronary disease, according to a study of more than 2000
women. The authors do not recommend the use of hormones for disease
prevention, but instead encourage further study of the effects of
estrogen and progestin hormone therapy on metabolic complications.
Body
Mass Index at Age 18 Years and during Adult Life and Ovarian Cancer
Risk (research abstract)
A nationwide ovarian cancer case-control study was conducted in
Israel to study the association between epithelial ovarian cancer
and body mass index at age 18 years and/or with weight changes in
body mass index between adolescence and adult life. For body mass
index at age 18 years, the odds ratio of the highest versus lowest
body mass index quartile was 1.42 and after adjusting for confounders
was 1.54. However, no statistically significant risk associated
with change in weight from age 18 years to adult life was found.
Type
III Female Genital Mutilation: Clinical Implications and Treatment
by Carbon Dioxide Laser Surgery (PubMed abstract)
Related news article: Laser
Surgery Treats Female Genital Mutilation
Laser surgery can provide a quick way to undo some of the harm of
the most severe form of female genital mutilation (FGM).
Women's
Efficiency in Decision Making and Their Perception of Their Status
in the Family (research abstract)
This study included 310 women who applied to the Maternal-Child
Health and Family Planning Center in Erzurum, Turkey, between June
1 and August 30, 2001. Data were collected through the inquiry form,
which was prepared to determine women's efficiency in decision making,
their perception of their status within the family, and their demographic
characteristics. It was found that women's decision-making rate
was lower than that of men, except for selecting clothes. Couples'
joint decision-making rate was high on personal matters but low
on official matters. The women's educational level affected their
decision making in the family.
WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS
FDA
Approves New Labels for Estrogen and Estrogen with Progestin Therapies
for Postmenopausal Women Following Review of Women's Health Initiative
Data (press release)
Related news article: FDA
Strengthens Hormone Warnings for Women
The US Food and Drug Administration strengthened warning labels
on all women's hormone replacement therapy products on Wednesday,
warning of the risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer. The widely
expected move follows the surprise announcement last July that HRT,
taken by an estimated 10 million women to treat the symptoms of
menopause, raises the risk of heart disease, heart attack, blood
clots, and certain cancers. All HRT products will have to carry
a boxed warning about the risks, with suggestions about alternatives.
Breast
Cancer Risk Type Not Equal in Both Breasts (news article)
Women diagnosed with a condition linked to an increased risk of
breast cancer appear to be more likely to develop cancer in one
breast rather than the other, according to new research. This discovery
may encourage women to opt for less drastic measures when it comes
to cutting their risk of breast cancer.
YOUTH RESEARCH
Exploring
Family Factors and Sexual Behaviors in a Group of Black and Hispanic
Adolescent Males (research abstract)
Related news article: Family
History Influences Sexual Behavior In Black, Hispanic Teens
This study found that black teenagers, sons of men who became teenage
fathers, were three times more likely to be sexually active compared
with those whose fathers had not been teen dads.
PROFILES / SPECIAL REPORTS
An
Analysis of Interaction Between TB and HIV/AIDS Programmes in Sub-Saharan
(MS
Word)
This study sought to analyze the interaction between tuberculosis
(TB) and HIV/AIDS programs in sub-Saharan Africa. This analysis
will inform WHO's role in promoting collaborative TB and HIV/AIDS
program activities, aimed at more effective control of TB among
HIV-infected people.
Growing,
Evolving HIV/AIDS Pandemic Is Producing Social and Economic Fallout
(commentary)
Early into the third decade of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the virus
continues to expand its reach across the globe. Not only is the
pandemic affecting ever greater numbers of peoplean estimated 42
million are now infected worldwideit is also evolving such that
for the first time since the disease emerged in the early 1980s,
about half the people living with HIV are now women.
When you click on any link, your Internet browser will access a Web site not connected to "The Pop Reporter.®" Information accessed through these links and contained in this issue of "The Pop Reporter®" does not necessarily state or reflect the views of the Population Information Program, Johns Hopkins University, or the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
All links were verified at the date of posting. Your computer and/or network configuration regarding Java script, cookies, and other security issues may not allow you to view certain Web sites. Consult your computer technician if you are having problems.
Information & Knowledge for Optimal Health (INFO) Project
111 Market Place Suite 310, Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 410-659-6300 Fax: 410-659-6266 Security & Privacy Policy