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The Pop Reporter®

Volume 4, Number 24
14 June 2004

"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

On the Frequency of Intercourse around Ovulation: Evidence for Biological Influences (research abstract)
Related news article: Women Want Sex More When They are Fertile
Findings in this study suggest that biological factors appear to increase the likelihood that a woman will engage in sexual intercourse during her most fertile days rather than at other times. Therefore, women who don't want to become pregnancy should be aware that a single episode of unprotected sex may be more risky than chance alone would dictate.

Unintended Pregnancies in the Islamic Republic of Iran: Levels and Correlates (research article)
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Despite the success of the family planning program implemented since 1989 in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the analysis of data from a large nationally representative sample of women showed that a significant proportion of pregnancies were unintended.

Family Planning in the Southeast Anatolian Project Region (research abstract)
This study evaluated contraceptive use by women of reproductive age in the Southeast Anatolian Project Region and the promotion of the use of family planning services. A total of 1,126 houses were visited and questions about reproductive health were asked of 1,019 ever-married (currently married, widows and divorced) women. The study showed that 48.2% of the ever-married women of reproductive age had never used any method of family planning; 37.4% were currently using a family planning method, and 14.4% had used a family planning method in the past. Of the women who were currently using a family planning method, 73.1% were using an effective method. Logistic regression analysis showed that educational level, knowledge of Turkish, type of residence, and total number of living children were the main variables that affected the use of family planning methods.

Resistance against Contraception or Medical Contraceptive Methods: A Qualitative Study on Women and Men in Istanbul (research abstract)
Researchers found that while men and women are not resistant to contraception, they are reluctant to use medical methods. They found that culture and religious beliefs were not major barriers to contraception in general, but they would influence the selection of the type of a certain contraceptive method. Specifically, culture and religious beliefs were barriers to use of medical methods, and they were the main reasons for use of the withdrawal method, which is the most common method used in Turkey.

Knowledge and Attitudes towards Emergency Contraception of Health-care Providers in a Region with a High Birth Rate (research abstract)
A survey was conducted among 214 health-care providers working at a university hospital located in eastern Turkey to assess their knowledge of, attitude towards, and practices of emergency contraception (EC). Of the 200 respondents, 26% said that they did not know anything about EC, while the remaining 74% said that they knew about at least one of the methods of EC. But among these, the knowledge of 38.5% of the participants about EC was accurate and that of 61.5% was inaccurate.

Which Intention? Whose Intention? Condom Use and Theories of Individual Decision Making (research abstract)
The authors of this diary-based study note that their findings reveal that the prerequisites needed for a strong association between intention and behavior may be difficult to meet in studies of condom use, because condom use is an interactive behavior influenced by the intentions of two people. Individual intentions do influence condom use; however, condom use is also influenced by factors which operate after the formation of the individual's intention.

Factors Associated with Contraceptive Use in Late- and Post-apartheid South Africa (research abstract)
This study uses data from two surveys conducted in the style of the Demographic and Health Surveys to compare patterns and predictors of racial differences in modern contraceptive use in the late- and post-apartheid periods. Age-group-specific logistic regression models show that despite strong state family planning programs targeting black women, these women were less likely than nonblacks to practice modern contraception both before and after the political transition, even after controlling for large racial-group differences in sociodemographic characteristics and the distribution of socioeconomic resources.

FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH NEWS

South Africa's Health Minister Promotes New Condom as 'Sexy and Fun' (news article)
Declaring condoms "sexy and fun", South Africa's health minister launched a new free government-issued condom as part of the nation's campaign to battle AIDS.

Sterilization in Brazil Under Attack (feature article)
This feature article relates the controversies surrounding sterilization in Brazil.

Australia: Doctors Back Birth Pill Restriction (news article)
Doctors said Health Minister Tony Abbott's call for restriction on the so-called morning-after pill could help ensure women did not simply use the drug every time they had sex. The controversial Postinor-2 contraceptive pill was made available over the counter six months ago when it was de-scheduled by the National Drugs and Poisons Schedule Committee. Mr. Abbott said he was concerned about reports girls as young as 13 had requested the emergency contraceptive.

Abstinence-only: Does It Work? (news article)
Sex education in American middle and high schools has taken on new meaning. At institutions that accept government money, teachers must advocate abstinence until marriage as the only certain way to prevent unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, and may not mention contraception except to point out the failure rates of various methods. On its face, this may seem perfectly logical, because if a teenager refrains from sexual activity, it is highly improbable that either pregnancy or an STD can result. But is the policy realistic? Experts disagree.

Synthetic Hormone Used In Contraceptives And HRT Produces Negative Effects In Monkey Studies (news article)
Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), a synthetic form of the naturally occurring steroid hormone progesterone widely used in contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy (HRT), increases aggression and anxiety and reduces sexual activity in female monkeys, according to a study published in the June edition of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. The investigators say the findings may explain anecdotal reports of mood changes, depression, and loss of libido in some women who use MPA for contraception and HRT.

FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH LAW AND POLICY

Africa's Countries Reaffirm World Population Consensus (press release)
Meeting in Dakar as part of regional events marking the 10th anniversary of the Cairo Conference, all African countries reaffirmed their strong commitment to the Programme of Action of the 1994 Cairo International Conference on Population and Development, stressing that the Millennium Development Goals cannot be achieved unless the Cairo Programme is fully implemented.

Chinese Province Wants to Limit Births (news article)
Yunnan province in southwestern China is offering a variety of economic incentives to peasant parents who promise to have only one child. China Daily says rural couples will receive $120 (1,000 yuan) for signing an agreement to have just one child. Other benefits promised under the government's $28 million program include an exemption from education fees, preferential treatment on college entrance examinations for the child, as well as an annual retirement pension of $91 (750 yuan) for the parents.

UNAIDS Criticizes HIV Travel Restrictions (news article)
The International Organization for Migration and UNAIDS say they are concerned by the increasing number of countries, which require that foreigners be tested for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, prior to entry.

Policy Environment Score: Measuring the Degree to Which the Policy Environment in Nigeria Supports Effective Policies and Programs for Family Planning, Adolescent Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS/STI (news article)
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The purpose of this report is to gauge the present policy environment in Nigeria in which reproductive health programs are being implemented. The Policy Environment Score gives an idea of the relative strengths of various components of the policy environment, highlighting the improvements made over time, and the components in need of attention.

HIV/AIDS RESEARCH

Epidemiology of HIV Infection in Urban Burkina Faso (research abstract)
Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study of STD and HIV infections among a random sample of the adult population in Bobo-Dioulasso, the second largest town in Burkina Faso. The prevalence of HIV infection was 5.2%. Risk factor analysis was conducted among sexually active men 20 to 34 years old and women 15 to 24 years old. Factors independently associated with HIV infection among men were having been married, reporting more than two non-marital partners in the last 12 months, reporting a past urban residence other than Bobo-Dioulasso, and having a positive serology for HSV-2 infection. Among women the factors were being Christian, having had a first sexual partner more than 24 years old, and having a positive serology for HSV-2 infection.

Factors Associated with HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Risk Perception in Rural Malawi (research abstract)
This study examines knowledge and risk perception by assessing their relationship with demographic characteristics, first source of HIV/AIDS information, and behavioral and cognitive risk exposures among men and women in a rural district of Malawi. The data come from a panel study of 940 women aged 15–34 years and 661 men aged 20–44 years. The results indicate that knowledge of HIV/AIDS does not necessarily translate into perceived risk. In addition, there appears to be a gender difference in the influence of cognitive and behavioral factors on perceived risk.

Oh! This One is Infected!: Women, HIV & Human Rights in the Asia-Pacific Region (report)
This paper, commissioned by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, sets out to explain the varied reasons why a significant majority of women in the Asia Pacific region are disproportionately at risk of infection. It also documents specific examples of discriminatory attitudes and actions against HIV-positive women in the region as a result of their HIV status, and concludes with recommendations of action by and for all levels of society to counteract these human rights violations.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice about AIDS and Condom Utilization among Health Workers in Rwanda (PubMed abstract)
Health workers (n=350) in rural Rwanda were surveyed cross-sectionally on knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) about AIDS, HIV, and condom utilization. In general, knowledge about HIV/AIDS was moderate to good, with an average of 63% of the questions answered correctly; men (and younger respondents) had a better knowledge than did women. Regular use of condoms was reported by 17%; the only variable significantly associated with condom use was having more than one partner during the past year. Men and those who scored high on knowledge had a more positive attitude toward infected individuals than did women and those with less knowledge.

Moving Forward: A Report on Pioneering Responses to Children Affected by HIV/AIDS in Andhra Pradesh, India (report)
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This report, from the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, relates the experiences of children affected by HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS NEWS

Japan Plans Free HIV Tests (news article)
Japan will make free and anonymous HIV tests available in its hospitals starting next year, the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reports.

Africa: Awareness Leads to Drop in HIV Infection Rates among Refugees (news article)
A public awareness campaign has led to sexual behaviour changes resulting in a reduction of HIV/AIDS infection rates among refugees in East Africa, an expert with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, has said.

Zimbabwe: Local Production of AIDS Drugs Begins (news article)
A Zimbabwean pharmaceutical company has started manufacturing generic antiretroviral drugs in a bid to significantly reduce the cost of the medication for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Uganda Launches Free HIV-AIDS Treatment Program for Poor (news article)
Uganda has launched a program to give anti-retroviral drugs to patients with HIV/AIDS in the east African nation. Health Minister Jim Muhwezi says the drugs will be available, free of charge, at 26 hospitals and clinics in the country. The program mainly targets poor people suffering from the fatal disease.

Russia Sees an AIDS 'Explosion' (feature article)
This feature article relates how the country's leadership has done little to stop the infection as it has raced across the country. While international organizations are now rushing to offer assistance and holding back-to-back conferences on how to address the problem, President Vladimir Putin has mentioned AIDS only once in a major speech to the Russian people and then only in a fragment of one sentence. There was no reference to AIDS in his state of the nation address last month.

U.S. AIDS Patients Donate Drugs to World (feature article)
This feature article relates how AIDS patients in Mexico and other developing countries obtain their life-prolonging drugs from donations in the US.

Niger: Health Workers Report Increased Willingness to Take HIV Tests (news article)
More and more people in the landlocked desert state of Niger are volunteering to undergo testing for HIV/AIDS as acceptance and understanding of the disease improves, according to health workers in the capital, Niamey.

African Nations Double AIDS/HIV Spending (news article)
African countries have doubled spending against HIV/AIDS over the past decade, but far greater funding and a better distribution of treatment are needed to curb the pandemic, African ministers and UN officials said Friday at a continentwide population conference.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH

Spousal Physical Violence against Women During Pregnancy (research abstract)
Researchers conducted this study to determine the prevalence of physical violence during pregnancy and the factors associated with it in rural, slum, and urban non-slum areas of Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, Lucknow, Nagpur, Trivandrum and Vellore, in India. The lifetime experience, during pregnancy, of being slapped was 16%, hit 10%, beat 10%, kicked 9%, use of weapon 5% and harmed in any other way 6%. Eighteen percent of women experienced at least one of these behaviours and 3% experienced all six. The overall prevalence of moderate to severe violence during pregnancy was 13%. Logistic regression showed that the factors determining whether a woman experienced moderate to severe violence during pregnancy were husband accusing wife of an affair, dowry harassment, husband having an affair, husband being regularly drunk, low education of husband, substance abuse by husband, no social support, three or more children, and household crowding.

Emergency Peripartum Hysterectomy in a Nigerian Hospital: A 20-year Review (research abstract)
The authors report a 20-year audit of all emergency peripartum hysterectomies, performed at Havana Specialist hospital Lagos, Nigeria. Of the 6,599 deliveries and peripartum referrals seen during the period, 22 had an emergency hysterectomy as a result of severe postpartum haemorrhage (0.33%). The aetiological factors associated with the postpartum haemorrhage included uterine atony (45.5%), placenta praevia (27.3%), pathologically adherent placenta (18.2%), and ruptured uterus (9.1%).

Pregnancy-associated Morbidity in Northern Nigeria (research abstract)
The authors sought to determine the magnitude and spatio-temporal pattern of maternal morbidity in Kano State, Nigeria. Analysis was on deliveries from 1990-1999. Researchers counted 59,772 maternal complications among 171,621 deliveries, yielding an overall maternal morbidity ratio of 34.8%. They observed yearly variations and increment in the number of complications among mothers. A total of 4,154 maternal deaths were registered within the period.

Obstructed Labor: Using Better Technologies to Reduce Mortality (research abstract)
In this review, the author identifies, from the best available evidence, underutilized and promising technologies that may reduce maternal mortality from obstructed labor.

Audit of Severe Acute Morbidity in Hypertensive Pregnancies in a Developing Country (research abstract)
The purpose of this study, from the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine University of Natal, Durban, South Africa, was to establish a population-based incidence of severe acute maternal morbidity (SAMM) in hypertensive pregnancies and to assess if substandard care was unique to cases of SAMM and mortality or whether it was apparent in uncomplicated pregnancies as well. The population-based incidence of hypertension was 12%. Using defined criteria for SAMM, the incidence of SAMM was 3/1,000 deliveries.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NEWS

South Africa: Drug Reduces HIV Rate in Newborns (feature article)
This feature article from the Washington Post relates the very real impact on peoples' lives that the distribution of nevirapine is having.

Jamaica: Gov't to Train 60 Midwives This Year (news article)
At least 60 new midwives are expected to be trained by the government this year, in an attempt to meet the 75% reduction in the maternal mortality rate by 2015, one of the targets in the United Nations Millennium Development Goal.

Obstetric Fistulas Signal Poor Health Care for Women (news article)
This article reports on a panel discussion at the Global Health Council's annual conference in Washington, DC, earlier this month.

Bangladesh: Tk 373cr for Health Sector: Maternal Mortality Rate to be Reduced (news article)
A new program will be launched in July to reduce maternal mortality by 75%, a goal that is in line with the Millennium Development Goals, according to the Finance Minister.

MEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH

Effects of Testosterone on Mood, Aggression, and Sexual Behavior in Young Men: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Study (PubMed abstract)
This study investigated potential changes in mood and behavior in response to elevations in circulating testosterone (T) concentrations produced by a new long-acting preparation, T undecanoate (TU). The results suggest that exogenous TU-induced elevation of circulating T, to the range likely to be used in hormonal male contraception, has limited psychological effects. The authors suggest that research should investigate the implications of these minor mood changes.

A Study of Condom Acceptability Among Men in an Urban Population in South India (research abstract)
This study examines the acceptability of condoms to men from Chennai, South India. A sample of 150 male respondents who, in the main, had at least one risky sexual experience with a commercial sex worker or multiple partners was interviewed. Awareness of condom usage was high, and 83% had used condoms at least once. The reasons for using condoms were protection from disease (43%), protection from AIDS (20%), and partner insistence (25%).

MEN'S HEALTH NEWS

South Africa: HIV/AIDS Under the Spotlight at Circumcision Workshop (news article)
The possible transmission of HIV/AIDS at traditional circumcision schools has come to light during a traditional circumcision workshop.

POPULATION RESEARCH

Demographers’ Notebook: Ageing in Nepal (research article)
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The findings of a disadvantaged position of the older population on almost all aspects of social, economic, physical and emotional well-being underscore the need for the formulation of a comprehensive policy to address the specific needs of this growing segment of the population so as to ensure elderly persons' productive and healthy lives.

Fertility and Family Policy in Norway - A Reflection on Trends and Possible Connections (review article)
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From the abstract: "Below replacement fertility in many countries has lead to a renewed public interest in policies that may encourage young people to have more children. The Nordic countries are sometimes in focus in this respect, as their fertility rates remain relatively high in spite of very high female labour force participation. The key question is therefore whether there is a connection between generous public policies that facilitate childbearing and employment, and fertility." Using Norway as example and reviewing existing research evidence, the author concludes that generous family policies may be necessary, but not sufficient, to sustain fertility at a reasonable level. In particular, adverse
macroeconomic conditions and rising unemployment have counteracting effects, as demonstrated by falling fertility rates in Sweden in the mid-1990s.

POPULATION NEWS

Japan: Birthrate Hits Record Low 1.29 in 2003 (news article)
The nation's birthrate fell to an all-time low of 1.29 in 2003, down from 1.32 in 2002, according to government statistics.

South Korea: Women to Outnumber Men in 2024 (news article)
Women are forecast to outnumber men in Korea in around two decades. The National Statistical Office, after combining various data such as the birth rate and life expectancy, has predicted the ratio of Korean males to females will fall below 100% in 2024.

Aging Population Poses Tough Challenges for China (news article)
Compared with developed countries, China's aging problems will rapidly arise amid its comparatively poorer social and economic conditions, posing severe challenges to the country's lofty ambition of building an all-round well-off society.

WOMEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH

Condom Use in Multi-partnered Females (research abstract)
The authors used demographic and sexual data from the Sydney (Australia) Sexual Health Centre to categorize women with more than 2 sexual partners according to their condom use. Of the 2,198 women identified, 22% did not use condoms, 28% reported consistent condom use, and 50% inconsistent use. Variables independently associated with failure to use condoms included older age and being in a regular relationship. Women with more partners were more likely to use condoms.

Life-circumstances, Working Conditions and HIV Risk among Street and Nightclub-based Sex Workers in Lusaka, Zambia (research abstract)
The principal objective of this study was to conduct formative research among sex workers in Lusaka, Zambia, to understand how sex workers' perceptions of their personal identity influences safer sex practices.

Short Communication: Seasonal Onset of Menopause? (research abstract)
Related news article: Menopause 'Linked to the Seasons'
The start of a woman's menopause could be influenced by a change in the seasons, new research suggests.

WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS

Kenya: A Disturbing Trend in Female Genital Mutilation (news article)
A society free of female genital mutilation, also referred to as female circumcision, appeared somewhat distant last week after a group of women's rights activists accused medical personnel of carrying out the practice.

Gel Saves Women from Chlamydia (news article)
A gel designed to protect women against sexually transmitted infections is about to complete its first clinical trial. Early tests show it may work against a wide range of diseases, including chlamydia, herpes, hepatitis B and HIV.

Aussies Fight Sex Tourism (news article)
Australia stepped up its fight against sex tourism on Tuesday by pledging new funds to ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member states to help return trafficked women and children to their homes, the government said.

Malaysia: Key to Empowering Women (feature article)
NGOs came together at a workshop recently to share their experiences of a three-year program aimed at empowering women.

YOUTH HEALTH RESEARCH

Patterns of Sexual Behaviour among Secondary School Students in Swaziland, Southern Africa (research abstract)
Students (n=941) from four coeducational secondary schools in Swaziland participated in a cross-sectional survey of sexual behaviours. Results indicate that considerable proportions of young people in this study were sexually experienced, irrespective of gender. Findings also suggest unacceptable high levels of sexual coercion, irrespective of age or gender. While boys may be less likely than girls to experience sexual coercion, being a male in this setting was not a protective factor.

Substance Use and Premaritax Sex among Adolescents in Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines and Thailand (research article)
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Protective childhood family characteristics such as growing up with two parents, not having frequent quarrels in the family, and having close relationships with parents tend to lower the probability of early initiation of substance use and premarital sex.

Asking Semi-literate Adolescents about Sexual Behaviour: The Validity of Assisted Self-completion Questionnaire (ASCQ) Data in Rural Tanzania (research abstract)
This paper reports on the development and testing of a sexual behavior survey method for semi-literate populations, combining the privacy of a self-completion questionnaire with the clarity of a face-to-face questionnaire.

Perceptions and Attitudes Regarding Sex and Condom Use Among Chinese College Students: A Qualitative Study (research abstract)
The findings from this study suggest that efforts to adapt HIV/STD prevention programs targeting Chinese adolescents and young adults need to consider cultural aspects of perceptions regarding sex and condoms among Chinese students and to address the conflict between traditional Chinese cultural values and modern influences.

Emergency Contraception: Knowledge and Practices of Tertiary Students in Durban, South Africa (research abstract)
This study assessed the knowledge, use, and attitude to the use of emergency contraception among tertiary students in Durban, South Africa.

Compensated Sex: A Practice at the Heart of Young Mexican Women's Vulnerabilities (STI/HIV/AIDS) (PubMed abstract)
This qualitative study conducted in youths 15 to 25 years of age in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, discusses the risks for Mexican young women who engage in sexual relations in exchange for social or economic benefits, also known as compensated sex, with the objective of exploring its possible public health implications.

YOUTH HEALTH NEWS

Married Adolescents Ignored In Global Agenda, Says UNFPA (press release)
Leaders from UNFPA, the Population Council, the Government of Senegal, and the International Center for Research on Women met to address the neglected issue of child marriage. Child marriage violates the human rights of millions of girls by threatening their health, restricting their education and limiting their social, economic, and political growth.

Spain: Catalonia to Put Condom Vending Machines in Schools (news article)
Schools in Spain are to defy the rulings of the Roman Catholic church by installing condom vending machines in an attempt to control the spread of HIV among a generation who think the disease is no longer a threat.

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