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The Pop Reporter®

Volume 3, Number 32
4 August 2003

"The Pop Reporter" (R) Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health/Center for Communication Programs INFO Project When you click on any link below, 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 INFO Project, Johns Hopkins University, or the US Agency for International Development. All links were verified at the date of mailing. 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.

Family Planning/Reproductive Health Research

Participatory Mapping of Sex Trade and Enumeration of Sex Workers Using Capture-Recapture Methodology in Diego-Suarez, Madagascar (research abstract)
Using capture-recapture methodology, this study estimated the number of sex workers in Diego-Suarez, Madagascar, to be 2,684, about 12% of the 15- to 49-year-old urban female population.

Needs Assessment for STD/HIV Prevention Among Patients with Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Southern China (research abstract)
This study of STD patients in China showed that such patients had very poor STD/HIV-related knowledge. Risk behavior during the diseased period was prevalent, and intervention programs are urgently warranted.

Behavioral Surveillance Surveys of the Male Clients of Female Sex Workers in Hong Kong: Results of Three Population-Based Surveys (research abstract)
Three population-based behavioral surveillance surveys of male clients of female sex workers in Hong Kong demonstrated nonnegligible HIV risks among this group and no improvement in HIV infection prevention over time.

Variations of HIV and STI Prevalences within Communities Neighbouring New Goldmines in Tanzania: Importance for Intervention Design (research abstract)
This study measured the prevalence of HIV and other STIs in communities neighbouring new large scale gold mines in northern Tanzania in order to inform the design of a targeted HIV/STI intervention program. Cross sectional surveys were conducted in adults aged 16 to 54 years from different sectors of communities neighbouring two newly opened, large scale gold mines: 207 male Tanzanian mine workers, 206 female food and recreational facility workers (FRFW), 202 other male, and 205 female community members were enrolled. Overall, 42% of FRFW were HIV positive, compared to 6% of male mine workers, and 16% and 18% of other community men and women, respectively. Among FRFW, 24% had active syphilis. Overall, 50% of FRFW and 50% of community men never used condoms during sex, and 55% mineworkers, 61% male, and 20% female community members reported receiving/giving payment for sex during the previous year.

The Syphilis Reactor Grid: Help or Hindrance for Syphilis Surveillance? (research abstract)
Evaluation of syphilis reactor grid performance in Chicago showed that reactor grid criteria may fail to identify persons with untreated syphilis, especially among men. A health department survey found that 82% of STD programs use reactor grids.

Parental Perspectives on Vaccinating Children against Sexually Transmitted Infections (news article)
This paper presents findings from a qualitative study that used in-depth interviews to elicit attitudes from 34 parents about accepting vaccines for genital herpes, human immunodeficiency virus, human papillomavirus, and gonorrhea for their children (aged 8–17). Content analysis of the responses revealed that most parents (>70%) approved the administration of all four of the STI vaccines proposed. Parents' reasons for acceptance included wanting to protect their children, being concerned about specific disease characteristics, and previous experience with the infections. Parents who declined the vaccines did so primarily because they perceived their children to be at low risk for the infections or they had low concern about features of the diseases.

Seroepidemiological Study of Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1 and 2 in Brazil, Estonia, India, Morocco, and Sri Lanka (research abstract)
The association between herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and HIV and the development of HSV vaccines have increased interest in the study of HSV epidemiology. To estimate the age and sex specific seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections, serum samples were collected from selected populations in Brazil, Estonia, India, Morocco, and Sri Lanka. The authors found that the prevalence of HSV-1 varied by site, ranging from 78.5% to 93.6% in adult males and from 75.5% to 97.8% in adult females. In all countries, HSV-1 seroprevalence increased significantly with age (p<0.001) in both men and women. The prevalence of HSV-2 infection varied between sites.

Family Planning/Reproductive Health News

UK: FPA Delivers Chlamydia Warning on the Big Screen (news article)
The UK FPA has launched its first cinema advertising campaign to tackle a 139% increase in Chlamydia cases over the last 6 years. The article reports that the 60 second advertisement is running in 20 cinemas across the UK during Sexual Health Week. Chlamydia is the most common sexual infection in the UK, remaining asymptomatic in 70% of women and 50% of men and can lead to infertility if untreated.

Indian Prostitutes Learn Safe Sex from Ancient Kama Sutra (news article)
Prostitutes in Calcutta are turning to the Kama Sutra, an ancient Indian treatise on sex, to deal with customers who refuse to use condoms. A voluntary organization holding a safe sex workshop for prostitutes is using the book to teach them how to use methods other than intercourse with their clients in a bid to curb AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

HIV/AIDS Research

Provision of Syndromic Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections by Community Pharmacists: A Potentially Underutilized HIV Prevention Strategy (research abstract)
This study assessed the willingness of community pharmacists in Western Cape, South Africa to provide syndromic treatment of sexually transmitted infections as an additional method of control in a high-morbidity area.

Preliminary Development of the World Health Organsiation's Quality of Life HIV Instrument (WHOQOL-HIV): Analysis of the Pilot Version (research article)
This paper reports on the development and preliminary assessment of the WHOQOL-HIV pilot instrument that is designed for use with the WHOQOL-100 for persons living with HIV and AIDS.

HIV/AIDS News

Nepal's Nightmare: Saving Its Young from AIDS (feature article)
The article reports that AIDS is threatening to be the greatest cause of mortality in those between 15 and 49 years old. The situation is alarming: about 60% of people infected with HIV are below the age of 29. According to the 2001 census, 58% of Nepal's population of 23 million people is below 24 years. An HIV epidemic in this productive age group will directly impact Nepal’s economy, which has a per capita income of just US$220.

Nigeria: Obasanjo Launches New HIV/AIDS Policy (news article)
The article reports that Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has launched a new HIV/AIDS policy to combat the stigma attached to the disease and promote a sense of collective responsibility for fighting it. The previous policy was issued in 1997.

US: Half of New HIV Infections Occur Among Youth (news article)
AIDS experts are concerned that unprotected sex is becoming more common among young people, in light of data presented last week at the 2003 National HIV Prevention Conference in Atlanta. The report finds that more than half of all new HIV infections are thought to be occurring among people younger than age 25. Experts also say HIV-positive youth are less likely than other HIV-positive people to know their serostatus, which puts their sex partners at risk for infection if they carry the virus.

South Africa: Shocking Statistics for HIV+ Pregnant Women (news article)
The article reports findings presented at the National AIDS Conference that, in parts of South Africa, half of all pregnant women are infected with HIV. These statistics come at a time when the Ministry of Health has delayed issuing the 2002 Antenatal HIV Prevalence Study and has ignored a Democratic Alliance attempt to secure the statistics in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act. The Treatment Action Campaign has also announced that it will intensify civil disobedience campaigns around the country until government agrees to an AIDS treatment plan.

South Africa HIV Plan: World Takes Note (news article)
The government of South Africa has dropped its long-standing resistance to providing drugs to combat the virus and is preparing a drug plan to offer to infected people through the public health system by October 1.

Maternal and Child Health Research

Infectious Disease Study Findings Presented by University of Pittsburgh Scientists (press release)
Clinical research is finding that potentially deadly parvovirus infection during pregnancy often exhibits no symptoms. Studies found 12% of fetal heart failure and 16% of fetal deaths occured due to parvovirus, without symptoms. Cases were diagnosed because the women's older, school-age children showed signs of infection.

Maternal and Child Health News

Uzbekistan: Infant Mortality Remains High (feature article)
In Uzbekistan, the issue of infant mortality remains a source of concern. Given current trends, it is unlikely that the country will be able to reduce under-5 mortality rates by two-thirds by 2015 - one of eight millennium development goals the country has targeted. According to the article, there were 32 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2002, a drop from 34 one year earlier.

Men's Health Research

Detection of Human Papillomavirus DNA on the External Genitalia of Healthy Men and Male Patients with Urethritis (research abstract)
In this prospective clinical study, HPV DNA was detected on the external genitalia of patients with urethritis more frequently than on that of male volunteers. A history of STD was a risk factor for positive detection in men.

Population Research

Migration and Health Impact Assessment (research abstract)
This paper explores the possible implications of migration for Health Impact Assessments. The census, National Health Service central register, electoral register, labor force survey, central index of the Department of Social Security, council tax database and other data sources were examined to identify what migration data are available at a local level. The paper concludes with recommendations to take account of residential mobility and changes in migration patterns when carrying out Health Impact Assessments.

Women's Health Research

Factors Associated with Condom Use Among At-Risk Women Students and Non-Students Seen in Managed Care (research abstract)
Related news article: Study Says STD Risk Higher for Young Working Women
STD research has focused on high-risk populations such as STD clinic patients and college students. This study examines predictors of unprotected sex among non-student women seen in primary care. According to the findings, STD risk behaviors were prevalent and had similar associations with unprotected sex in both sub-samples. While sexually active single women seen in primary care perceive themselves at low STD risk, their risk profiles are similar to those of higher risk populations

Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus Infection Among Women in Concordia, Argentina: A Population-Based Study (research abstract)
The prevalence of HPV infection was 3% among virgins and 17% among sexually active women in Concordia, Argentina. HPV 16 was the most common type. Prevalence decreases with age, and risk factors include sex partners and vaginal discharge.

Specific Antibody Levels at the Cervix During the Menstrual Cycle of Women Vaccinated With Human Papillomavirus 16 Virus–Like Particles (research abstract)
Related news article: Cervical Cancer Vaccine Hits Snag
The study finds that a vaccine against human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16), the virus that causes cervical cancer, produces antibodies against HPV16 at the site where cervical cancer develops-—a promising indication of the vaccine’s effectiveness. However, antibody levels appear to decrease around ovulation, raising the possibility that the vaccine may be less effective during that time.

Awareness of Human Papillomavirus Among Women Attending a Well Woman Clinic (research abstract)
Related news article: Women Unaware of Viral Link to Cervical Cancer
Among 1,032 women questioned attending a well woman clinic in the UK, awareness and knowledge of HPV were poor. Only 30% women had heard of HPV and fewer than half were aware of the link with cervical cancer. There was also confusion about whether condoms or oral contraceptives could protect against HPV infection.

Rural Sex Work in Cambodia: Work Characteristics, Risk Behaviours, HIV, and Syphilis (research abstract)
Researchers identified prevalence and risks factors for syphilis and HIV among rural female sex workers (FSWs) in Cambodia. Interviews and sera were collected from 114 FSWs; 42% of rural FSWs were HIV positive, and 22% had past or current syphilis. In multivariate models, HIV was significantly associated with age 25, a non-commercial partner in the past year, and prevalence of past or current syphilis. There was significantly higher active syphilis (14% v 4%), older mean age (25 v 21), fewer daily clients (2 v 5), lower monthly income ($61 v $174), and longer duration of sex work (2.3 years v 1.4 years) among rural than among urban FSWs.

Women's Health News

Female Welfare Protection Scheme with UNICEF (news article)
Egypt and UNICEF signed an agreement committing to a program to end practices harmful to the health of women and children. The program includes a component aimed at eliminating female genital mutilation by the end of this year.

Youth Health Research

Retention, Adherence, and Compliance: Special Needs of HIV-infected Adolescent Girls and Young Women (research abstract)
The study demonstrates that whereas all HIV-infected youth evidence complex factors that challenge retention in care and adherence to treatment, HIV-infected females have additional issues that are gender-specific. The preliminary data for the study comes from a subset of 21 adolescent/young women under age 25 from the Whole Life mental health perinatal HIV care project. The researchers found that adolescent girls and young women have unique needs for developmentally appropriate medical and psychosocial approaches to promote retention and adherence.

Do Adolescents Want to Avoid Pregnancy? Attitudes Toward Pregnancy as Predictors of Pregnancy (research abstract)
In this prospective study using a subsample of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, the researchers examine adolescents' ambivalence towards getting pregnant and the relationship between pregnancy attitudes and the occurrence of a pregnancy one year later. The results suggest that a significant minority of adolescents has some ambivalence toward pregnancy relative to their peers and that these attitudes are predictive of the occurrence of pregnancy.

School-based HIV Prevention Programmes for African Youth (research abstract)
This paper reviews 11 published and evaluated school-based HIV/AIDS risk reduction programs for youth in Africa. Most evaluations were quasi-experimental designs with pre–post test assessments. The program objectives varied, with some targeting only knowledge, others attitudes, and others behavior change. Ten of the 11 studies that assessed knowledge reported significant improvements. In one of the two that targeted condom use, condom use behaviors improved. The authors conclude that the findings in their review suggests that knowledge and attitudes are easiest to change, but behaviors are much more challenging. The article provides details about programs and identifies characteristics of the most successful programs.

Predictors of the Prevalence of Bacterial STI among Young Disadvantaged Indigenous People in North Queensland, Australia (research abstract)
This paper describes a cross sectional survey of 26 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in northern Queensland. Of 3313 people (2862 Indigenous) aged 15 years and over, a total of 238 cases of chlamydia, 66 cases of gonorrhoea, and 37 cases of co-infection were detected among Indigenous participants. Prevalence of chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea ranged from 23% among 15 to 19 year olds to 3.5% among those 40 years and older. In the adjusted analysis, younger age, female sex, lower socioeconomic status, the use of alcohol and tobacco, and the structure of community health services were independently associated with a higher prevalence of bacterial STI.

Youth Health News

China: Health Services Grow to Meet Increase in Teen Pregnancies (news article)
The article describes how growing numbers of pregnant Chinese teenagers are finding new avenues for professional and safe help and advice. According to the report, along side the acceleration of China's globalization, young people differ greatly from their parents in their opinions on sex. Traditional notions of caution or abstinence are being supplanted by depictions of sex on television and the Internet.

Teen Sex TV Outrage (news article)
In the UK, BBC Channel 4 has announced a season of programs on under-age sex, culminating with a proposal for the age of consent to be lowered from 16 to 14 years of age.

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