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The Pop Reporter®

Volume 4, Number 26
28 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

Family Planning and Women’s Lives in Rural China (research article)
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Survey and focus group data collected in 1996 and 1998 from women in three Chinese provinces were used to examine links connecting family planning and childbearing to women’s lives within the family, including their relationships with spouses and other family members, and their opportunities for education, employment and social activities. Women related family planning to the country’s economic situation and to their ability to prosper by having fewer children to support.

Does Discussion of Family Planning Improve Knowledge of Partner’s Attitude Toward Contraceptives? (research article)
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DHS data from 21 Sub-Saharan African countries were used to assess the relationship between spousal discussion and correct reporting of partner’s attitude toward family planning. Multivariate analyses of data from Chad were conducted to further examine this relationship in a setting where contraceptive approval was not high. Based on study results, researchers concluded that partner discussion does not necessarily mean an increase in knowledge of a partner’s contraceptive attitudes.

PUBLIC HEALTH: Regulatory Challenges in Microbicide Development (feature article)
Topical vaginal microbicides to prevent HIV infection are urgently needed. Recent scientific progress has identified potential new molecular targets for microbicides, and six older candidates are starting phase III trials. However, regulatory hurdles to licensure risk delaying future availability in developing countries unless these obstacles are pro-actively addressed. Although clear safety and efficacy data for microbicides are essential, risk-benefit profiles differ enormously between developed countries, which by default dominate global regulatory decisions, and developing regions where microbicides are needed most.

Provision of Family Planning Services in Lesotho (research article)
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In this study, a situation analysis framework was used to assess family planning providers’ readiness to provide services and women’s perceptions of service delivery.

FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH NEWS

European Regulators Extend Missed Pill Window for Cerazette, Contraceptive Without Estrogen (news article)
The 'missed pill window' for Cerazette®, the estrogen-free contraceptive pill, has been extended from 3 to 12 hours, following an agreement reached by MRFG, the responsible European regulatory body and Organon.

Seychelles: Women More Knowledgeable About STIs--Study (news article)
A 2003 Ministry of Health study evaluating sexual knowledge, attitude, and practice among Seychellois age 15 to 65 found that, compared to females, males have a lower level of knowledge of sexually transmitted infections. Females are also more likely to persuade their partners to use condoms during occasional sexual intercourse.

UK Sterilisation 'Double Average' (news article)
On average, 10.8% of women across the UK, Italy, France, Spain and Germany were either sterilised or relied on their partner having a vasectomy. However, in the UK alone, the figure was 20.8%, a study of 12,000 women, including 2,500 from the UK, revealed.

FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH LAW AND POLICY

Investing in People: National Progress in Implementing the ICPD Programme of Action 1994-2004 (report)
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Related press release: Countries Committed to Population Issues and Reproductive Health, New Global Survey Shows
Ten years after the historic Cairo Conference, UNFPA reports on the progress that has been achieved and the challenges that remain in implementing the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action. The over-arching conclusion is that the decade since the adoption of the Programme of Action has been one of significant progress. However, progress has not been consistent and constraints, including lack of funding, remain a critical concern at the midpoint of the 20-year agenda. This report is based on a Global Survey that UNFPA conducted in 2003 to appraise national experiences.

Bush Charged With Widening War Against UN Population Fund (news article)
At a meeting of Western Hemisphere countries in Puerto Rico next weekend, the U.S. delegation is expected to push for the removal of references in the final communiqué to "reproductive health services," which it considers to be code for supporting abortion, and the insertion of language asserting the rights of parents to make all decisions regarding adolescents' sexual and reproductive health. In March, similar U.S. efforts at a preparatory conference in Santiago, Chile, proved unsuccessful, as Washington's delegation found itself completely isolated when the 39 other delegations reaffirmed and even expanded their commitment to the 1994 Consensus.

HIV/AIDS RESEARCH

The Social Situation of Motherless Children in Rural and Urban Areas of Guinea-Bissau (research article)
With the increasing prevalence of HIV infection and continuing high maternal mortality, orphans are a rapidly growing problem in Africa. This study focuses on motherless children in urban and rural areas of Guinea-Bissau. A cohort of 128 urban and 192 rural children that had been followed by demographic surveillance since 1990 was identified and the relatives of these children interviewed. A control cohort of 808 individuals was also identified. Although orphan children remained disadvantaged, there were few differences between surviving motherless and control children in nutritional status, use of health care services, school attendance, quality of housing, and clothing. However, the AIDS epidemic will continue to stress the extended family system and social services to the limit.

Estimating Resource Needs for HIV/AIDS Health Care Services in Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries (research abstract)
This paper presents a model for estimating HIV/AIDS health care resource needs in low- and middle-income countries. The model presented was the basis for the United Nations' call for US$9.2 billion to address HIV/AIDS in developing countries by 2005 with US$4.4 billion to address HIV/AIDS health care and the rest to deal with HIV/AIDS prevention. The model has since been updated and extended to produce estimates for 2007. This paper details the methods and assumptions used to estimate HIV/AIDS health care financial needs and it discusses the limitations and data needs for this model.

Management of HIV-Associated Focal Brain Lesions in Developing Countries (research article)
HIV-associated focal brain lesions (HFBL) are caused by opportunistic infections, neoplasms, or cerebrovascular diseases. Guidelines based on these causes however are poorly suited to developing countries, where treatable infections predominate as causes of HFBL. This research aims to determine a practical approach to the management of HFBL in developing countries.

HIV Education in a Siberian Prison Colony for Drug Dependent Males (research abstract)
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This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an HIV peer training program conducted in a colony for drug dependent male prisoners in Siberia, Russia. Questionnaires were used to collect data pre and post peer training sessions. Fifteen to twenty inmates were trained as peer educators at a week-long training session. The prevalence of tattooing in prison decreased significantly between questionnaires. However, there was virtually no reported use of bleach to clean tattooing or injecting equipment in either 2000 or 2001. Access to condoms increased significantly between questionnaires.

Demographics, Sexual Behaviour and STD/HIV Prevalence in Two Groups of Men Who Have Sex With Men, in Rotterdam, The Netherlands (research abstract)
This study was conducted to investigate whether men who have sex with men visiting a sexually transmitted diseases clinic and those participating in a gay cohort were different with regard to demographic characteristics, sexual behaviour and prevelance of sexually transmitted diseases. Data from men who have sex with men presenting at the sexually transmitted diseases clinic (group I; n = 318) were compared with data from men participating in a cohort (group II; n = 286). Multivariate analyses showed that males presenting at the STD clinic (group I) were at higher risk for urethral gonorrhoea. The higher prevalence of HIV infection in group I was associated with a higher prevalence of recent STD, more concomitant urethral gonorrhoea infections at the time of visit, over 10 sex partners in the previous 6 months, and non-Dutch descent.

Special Populations: The Management of Seizures in HIV-Positive Patients (research abstract)
An increasing percentage of patients with new-onset seizures are HIV positive. The evaluation and management is distinctly different from managing the non-HIV-infected patient. Clinicians must be familiar with comorbid infectious etiologies and the relative value of electroencephalogram, imaging, and serum and cerebrospinal fluid laboratory tests.

Hospital-Acquired Candidemia in HIV-Infected Patients. Incidence, Risk Factors and Predictors of Outcome (research abstract)
To understand the impact of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) on the incidence of nosocomial candidemia, two time periods were compared: A (1992-1996) and B (1997-2001). 32 out of 38 (84%) cases of candidemia were hospital-related. A significant reduction in the incidence of all cases of hospital-acquired candidemia has been observed in the post-HAART in respect to pre-HAART period (0.09 episodes vs. 1.1 per 100/py). Despite the use of HAART, this disease still represents a severe complication of advanced stage of AIDS.

HIV Prevention Among Sex Workers in India (research abstract)
To test the efficacy of a sustainable community-level HIV intervention among sex workers, the Sonagachi Project was replicated, including community organizing and advocacy, peer education, condom social marketing, and establishment of a health clinic. This study supports the efficacy of the Sonagachi model intervention in increasing condom use and maintaining low HIV prevalence among sex workers.

Early Markers of HIV-1 Disease Progression in a Prospective Cohort of Seroconverters in Bangkok, Thailand: Implications for Vaccine Trials (research abstract)
Some candidate HIV-1 vaccines may not prevent HIV-1 infection but may alter the course of disease. Surrogate endpoints based on early laboratory makers in HIV-1-infected persons who are antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive will be useful for evaluating vaccine efficacy in slowing disease progression (VEp). We examined pretreatment HIV-1 viral loads and CD4 cell counts in recent HIV-1 seroconverters to inform selection of these endpoints. Participants with high HIV-1 RNA levels and low CD4 cell counts close to the time of seroconversion were more likely to experience early immunologic progression. Approximately one quarter of seroconverters reached the surrogate immunologic endpoint within 18 months of their FP visit and before starting ART, suggesting the utility of this endpoint for analyses of VEp in some ongoing and planned HIV-1 vaccine efficacy trials.

Differential Virus Evolution in Blood and Genital Tract of HIV-Infected Females: Evidence for the Involvement of Drug and Non-Drug Resistance-Associated Mutations (research article)
Forty-four paired plasma and vaginal samples from HIV-infected females undergoing HAART were collected to examine the viral responses to antiretroviral therapy and to assess the possible role of the vaginal tract as a reservoir for drug-resistant variants.

HIV/AIDS NEWS

GLOBAL: AIDS Increasing at Alarming Rates in Asia, Russia, Stephen Lewis Tells Nurses (news article)
Stephen Lewis, UN special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, told delegates attending the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) national convention that the AIDS epicenter is moving to Asia, and that it could reach new heights in China and India.

U.N.: Southern Africa in 'death spiral' (news article)
James Morris, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's special envoy for humanitarian needs in Southern Africa, told reporters that a downward "death spiral" of HIV-AIDS and food insecurity is depleting public services and debilitating southern Africa.

Thailand Says World's Biggest HIV Vaccine Trial Delayed By a Year (news article)
The results of the world's biggest HIV vaccine trial, which began in Thailand early this year, will be delayed by one year because it has failed to recruit enough participants, officials said Wednesday.

US to Add Vietnam to Its AIDS program (news article)
US President George W. Bush will add Vietnam to a list of 14 countries that will benefit from a massive US assistance program designed to combat the AIDS epidemic, an administration official said Tuesday.

Africa: The Use of Fame to Fight AIDS (news article)
Ethan Zohn, the wimmer of the CBS television show "Survivor Africa" and its $1 million prize in January 2002, helps fight HIV/AIDS in Africa through Grassroot Soccer, an international nonprofit AIDS awareness foundation that uses former and current professional players from Africa to lend their celebrity status to prevention efforts.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH

The Evolution of a Quality of Care Approach for Improving Emergency Obstetric Care in Rural Hospitals in Nepal (research article)
The paper describes the iterative process of developing a locally-appropriate quality of care approach and its role in emergency obstetric care (EmOC) in Nepal. Authors describe the context of maternal health issues in Nepal, the rationale for developing a quality of care approach within a model to improve EmOC, and outline the outcomes and catalytic effects of the process.

Higher Maternal Age at Delivery, and Lower Birth Orders Are Associated with Increased Risk of Childhood Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (research abstract)
In several populations, maternal age at delivery and birth order have been demonstrated to variously affect the risk of Type 1 diabetes mellitus in the offspring. The aim of the present study was to investigate this relation in the Czech population. Questionnaire data on 640 children with childhood-onset Type 1 DM and data on 50 random controls to each case, obtained from the national Birth Registry and matched for the calendar year of birth, were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. Our study provides further evidence that the risk of Type 1 diabetes in the offspring increases with higher maternal age at delivery and lower birth order.

Undernutrition As an Underlying Cause of Child Deaths Associated with Diarrhea, Pneumonia, Malaria, and Measles (research abstract)
Related news article: Study Blames Under-nutrition for Half of Child Deaths Worldwide
The objectives of this research study were to examine whether the risk of dying because of underweight varies by cause of death and to estimate the fraction of deaths by cause attributable to underweight. Data were obtained from investigators of 10 cohort studies with both weight-for-age category and cause of death information. The RR of mortality because of low weight-for-age was elevated for each cause of death and for all-cause mortality. Overall, 52.5% of all deaths in young children were attributable to undernutrition, varying from 44.8% for deaths because of measles to 60.7% for deaths because of diarrhea.

Senegalese Grandmothers Promote Improved Maternal and Child Nutrition Practices: the Guardians of Tradition Are Not Averse to Change (research article)
The vast majority of community nutrition/health programs in developing countries focus on women of reproductive age (WRA) and a few explicitly involve senior women, or grandmothers. In Senegal, as in many other places, older, experienced women play an influential role in household maternal and child health (MCH) matters. Findings from this research provide evidence of grandmothers’ ability to learn, to integrate new information into their practices and to positively influence the practices of WRA. These results support the need for future MCH programs, in different cultural contexts, to involve grandmothers and in so doing to build on their intrinsic commitment to family well-being.

Authorizing Tradition: Vectors of Contention in Highland Maya Midwifery (research article)
This study examines how Guatemalan health authorities have sought to change Maya midwifery, refashioning its vocational framework and retooling it in accordance with Western medical principles.

Health Service Utilization for Perceived Postpartum Morbidity Among Poor Women Living in Karachi (research article)
A qualitative and quantitative study was conducted in low socio-economic settlements of Karachi, Pakistan to explore traditional beliefs and practices, to assess puerperal morbidity, and to understand care-seeking behaviors.

Effect of Multimicronutrient Supplementation on Gestational Length and Birth Size: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Effectiveness Trial in Zimbabwe (research abstract)
The study assessed the effect of prenatal multimicronutrient supplementation on gestational length and birth size among 1669 women in Harare, Zimbabwe. The study found that multimicronutrient supplementation was associated with tendencies for increased gestational length (0.3 wk; 95% CI: –0.04, 0.6 wk; P = 0.06), birth weight (49 g; –6, 104 g; P = 0.08), and head circumference (0.2 cm; –0.02, 0.4 cm; P = 0.07) but was not associated with low birth weight (birth weight < 2500 g) (relative risk: 0.84; 0.59, 1.18; P = 0.31).

A Contingent Valuation Study to Estimate the Parental Willingness-To-Pay for Childhood Diarrhoea and Gender Bias Among Rural Households in India. (research article)
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In this study researchers estimate the parental willingness to pay for an episode of diarrhoea among 324 children of both sexes aged between five and seven years in two rural villages of Chennai in India. The aim was to examine if there was any gender bias in the parental willingness to treat children for a diarrhoeal episode, and if so to what extent. The findings suggest that parents were willing to pay more to protect their male child compared to the female child suffering from a diarrhoeal episode.

Why Children Die: An Under-5 Health Care Survey in Mafikeng Region (research abstract)
This study describes causes of under-5 deaths occurring in four public sector hospitals in Mafikeng region and modifiable factors related to these deaths. In the study period 1 November 2000 to 31 October 2001, 239 under-5 deaths occurred. The case fatality rate for the total of 4 226 under-5 admissions was 5.7%. Seventy-four per cent of the under-5 deaths occurred during the first year of life; 31% during the first 24 hours in hospital. The main causes of death were lower respiratory tract infections (31.4%), AIDS (21.3%) and sepsis (13.4%). When adding all causes of death and contributing conditions, 61.9% were AIDS- or HIV-related. Eighty-three percent of cases had administrative modifiable factors; 67% had modifiable factors at primary care level, 47% during admission/emergency care in hospital, and 55% during routine care.

Smokeless Tobacco Use, Birth Weight, and Gestational Age: Population-Based, Prospective Cohort Study of 1217 Women in Mumbai, India (research article)
This study looked at the effect of using smokeless tobacco during pregnancy on babies' birth weight and gestational age at birth. Researchers found that smokeless tobacco use was associated with an average reduction of 105 g in birth weight (95% confidence interval 30 g to 181 g) and a reduction in gestational age of 6.2 (3.0 to 9.4) days. The odds ratio for low birth weight was 1.6 (1.1 to 2.4), adjusted by logistic regression for maternal age, education, socioeconomic status, weight, anaemia, antenatal care, and gestational age.

Saving Children--An Audit System to Assess Under-5 Health Care (research abstract)
The purpose of this study was to develop and pilot an audit system usable by medical officers in peripheral hospitals for deaths of children under 5 years (1) to identify and classify all causes of deaths and (2) to identify substandard care and missed opportunities for intervention and to classify these as modifiable factors.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NEWS

New UN Survey Shows Progress in Meeting Global Reproductive Health Goals (news article)
The world has moved closer to reaching key reproductive health targets - including cutting rates of maternal mortality - but financial resources for this effort still do not keep up with demands, according to a survey released today by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Polio Epidemic Menaces West And Central Africa (news article)
West and Central Africa faces the most dire polio epidemic in years, with five times as many children paralyzed from the disease so far this year as during the same period in 2003, epidemiologists with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative warned yesterday after it was confirmed that a child was stricken with the disease last month in Sudan.

MEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH

Effect of Lifestyle Changes on Erectile Dysfunction in Obese Men (research abstract)
The aim of this randomized controlled trial of obese men with erectile dysfunction was to determine if lifestyle changes designed to obtain a sustained and long-term reduction in body weight (10% of initial weight maintained for 2 years) and an increase in physical activity positively affect erectile and endothelial functions. The study found that lifestyle changes are associated with improvement in sexual function in about one third of obese men with erectile dysfunction at baseline.

Sperm Output of Older Men (research abstract)
Increasing numbers of men, whose fertility theoretically lasts until death, are seeking fertility treatment at older ages, yet there is little information on sperm production and function past the age of 50 years. Studying a convenience sample of 55 healthy, non-infertile men ranging in age from 52 to 79 years old, researchers found that older men had lower semen volume (mean semen volume 1.8 versus 3.2 ml; P<0.0001) and total sperm output (median 74 versus 206 million sperm per ejaculate; P<0.0001), whereas sperm density (median 64 versus 73 million sperm/ml; P=0.12) was non-significantly decreased.

MEN'S HEALTH NEWS

Swaziland: Debate Over Male Circumcision (news article)
Male circumcision as a method to reduce risk of HIV infection is being hotly debated this week after a prominent politician announced that his four sons had been circumcised, contrary to Swazi tradition.

Uganda: Men Shun Vasectomy (news article)
Service providers at the Voluntary Surgical Contraception unit in Mulago hospital have expressed disappointment at men's poor response to vasectomy. The major limitation to vasectomy was that most men were not aware of its availability while others had misconceptions about its effects.

Mobile Phones Could Cut Male Fertility (news article)
According to a research study from the University of Szeged, Hungary, radiation from mobile phones could cut the number of sperm a man has by one-third.

POPULATION RESEARCH

The Wealth Gap in Health: Data on Women and Children in 53 Developing Countries (report)
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Despite improvements in public health in the last half-century, large disparities still exist between and within countries in a range of health and population indicators: fertility, infant and child mortality, nutrition, and the use of family planning and other health services. This data sheet sheds new light on how the poorest women and children are faring, compared with their better-off counterparts.

China’s Population: New Trends and Challenges (report)
China has been the world's most populous country for centuries, and today makes up one-fifth of the world's population. This report draws from a growing body of statistical data and research to look at some of the demographic changes that have occurred in China's recent past.

POPULATION NEWS

From Babies to PMs; Singapore's Low Birth Rate (news article)
In 2003, Singapore's birth rate, at 1.19 births per couple, became the lowest in the history of this ultramodern state. What this means is, should present trends continue, Singapore, incredibly, is shrinking.

Population of Kazakhstan Exceeds 15 Million (news article)
Kazakhstan's population had been declining from 1992 to 2001 because of a decreased birth rate, an increase in the death rate, and emigration. The birth rate started growing, fewer people emigrated, and more people began to immigrate in early 2002.

Afghanistan: Challenges of Rapid Urban Development (news article)
Although largely a rural nation, Afghanistan's urban development is now proceeding faster than ever with reconstruction and rehabilitation well under way. It is estimated that by the year 2045 the country's urban population will have surpassed that living in rural areas, which currently accounts for 80 percent of the total.

WOMEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH

In US, Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women Without a Cervix (research abstract)
Related news article: Millions of unnecessary Pap smears performed in US
The study was conducted to determine whether Pap smear screening among women who have undergone hysterectomy has decreased following the recommendation. After accounting for Pap smears that may have preceded a recent hysterectomy and hysterectomies that spared the cervix or were performed for cervical neoplasia, the study researchers estimated that almost 10 million women, or half of all women who have undergone hysterectomy, are being screened unnecessarily.

Factors Affecting the Performance of Maternal Health Care Providers in Armenia (research article)
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This study explores how the factors that influence performance outcomes--job expectations, performance feedback, environment and tools, motivation and incentives, and knowledge and skills--individually as well as in combination, affect the performance of primary reproductive health providers (nurse-midwives) in two regions of Armenia.

Progesterone IUD Is Effective for Menorrhagia (research abstract)
A total of 236 Finnish women (mean age 43 years) with menorrhagia were randomly assigned (concealed allocation assignment) to treatment with this system or hysterectomy. Follow up was monitored for 96% of the patients for five years. Outcomes were self assessed by patients not blinded to treatment assignment using prevalidated health questionnaires and surveys. With intention to treat analysis, after five years no significant differences in health outcomes or overall satisfaction with care were reported by the two groups. Although 42% of women initially assigned to the LNG-IUS group eventually underwent hysterectomy, both the direct and indirect costs were lower for patients assigned to the LNG-IUS group than for those in the assigned hysterectomy group ($2817 v $4660 per participant). Since the introduction of LNG-IUS in Finland in 1998, hysterectomy rates have fallen by 13%.

WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS

Blood Drug 'Treats Womb Disease' (news article)
Scientists say they have discovered a promising new therapy for endometriosis, a condition which can cause infertility. Around 10 to 25% of women of reproductive age are estimated to be affected by endometriosis.

Women Want an End to Taboos Surrounding the Vagina (news article)
Findings from an International Vagina Dialogue Survey - a survey of over 9,400 women investigating women’s attitudes, perceptions and knowledge about the vagina commissioned by Organon, developer of NuvaRing® reveal that women want a more open and enlightened public dialogue about the vagina. Nine out of ten women feel society regards the vagina as shameful, seven out of ten believe taboos contribute to women’s ignorance and nearly half think the vagina is the part of the body that women know least about.

Breast Clinic Established in Sri Lanka (news article)
The first breast clinic in Sri Lanka was established recently, resulting in an increase in the identification rate of new patients with breast cancer.

Indonesia: Neoadjuvant Therapy Best for Breast Cancer (news article)
A study reveals that neoadjuvant therapy( a combined treatment consisting of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy) after surgical procedure for breast cancer patients can help them recover and increase their life expectancy.

YOUTH HEALTH RESEARCH

Determinants of Condom Use Among Agaro High School Students Using Behavioral Models (research article)
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This cross sectional study assessed factors affecting condom use among students of Agaro High School using health behavioral models. One hundred sixty students responded from the sampled 363 students making a response rate of 99%. Among these, 90 (25%) of them had history of sexual intercourse. The average age of sexual debut was 16.74 years. Among those who had previous sexual exposure, 49 (54.4%) used a condom at least once. Of these, 23 (46.9%) were using condom always. Normative belief was found to be a predictor for males. Self-efficacy was found to be associated with intention to use condom among males.

Behavior Change Evaluation of a Culturally Consistent Reproductive Health Program for Young Kenyans (research article)
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A quasi-experimental research design was used to measure behavioral changes associated with a culturally consistent reproductive health program for young people in Kenya. Females in the project site were significantly more likely than those in the control site to adopt secondary abstinence (odds ratio, 3.3) and less likely to have had three or more sex partners (0.1).Males in the project site were more likely to use condoms than those in the control site (3.7).

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Screening in Asymptomatic Young Women in the US (research review)
The purpose of this article is to review among young women in the United States: (1) the epidemiology of CT and NGC cervical infection and their medical complications; (2) current public health recommendations to promote asymptomatic CT and NGC screening; (3) current screening practices and challenges of implementing public health recommendations; (4) testing and cost issues; and (5) future directions in promoting asymptomatic CT and NGC screening.

Defining and Understanding Healthy Lifestyles Choices for Adolescents (research article)
The pupose of this paper is to: (a) establish criteria for defining positive health behaviors and lifestyle; and (b) identify characteristics of adolescents who practice a healthy lifestyle. Using strict criteria of healthy lifestyle, significant predictors were being female, born outside the United States, higher academic performance, and fewer stressful life events. Using a broad definition of a healthy lifestyle, significant predictors were being non-Caucasian, in the lower grade levels at the school, higher academic performance, and fewer stressful life events. In both models, peers' approval of risky behaviors negatively influenced teens' lifestyles, whereas parents' disapproval of risky behaviors was a positive influence.

Smoking Among High School Adolescents in Karachi, Pakistan (research abstract)
In this communication we report the prevalence of and factors associated with smoking among adolescents in inner city Karachi, Pakistan. Self-reported smoking status was assessed based on a 30-day prevalence of cigarette smoking (whether or not one had smoked a cigarette in the past 30 days). A two-stage cluster sample stratified by school type was used. We recruited 772 male secondary school students from 33 schools (17 public and 16 private) in inner city Karachi. A structured questionnaire was administered by trained data collectors.

YOUTH HEALTH NEWS

Study Links Girl Education to Higher GDP (news article)
Education for girls increases a country's Gross Domestic Product, a study indicates. The study, carried out in 65 countries, showed that if the number of girls in school is doubled, the GDP increases by 1 per cent.

India: Teen Pregnancies on the Rise, Experts Ring Warning Bell (news article)
In Ahmedabad, the graph of teenage pregnancy is showing an upward trend. Experts have sounded an alarm, saying that it’s high time that the matter was given the attention it deserves.

Fiji: Youth Centre to Boost Knowledge (news article)
With the official opening of the new adolescent and reproductive health center in Labasa, youth can seek help or advice in a professional environment.

New SIECUS Report Critical of Abstinence Based Programmes in US (news article)
A new report by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) questions the value of the almost $900 million spent nationally on abstinence education. Tamara Kreinin, president and chief executive of SIECUS told the Washington Times: "The proliferation of unproven abstinence only until marriage programmes is leaving too many of our kids at risk…Abstinence only education is often fear-based, reliant on outdated or untrue facts about sexuality, and disallows discussion of contraception.” The National Abstinence Clearinghouse, which is gathering 800 educators in Nashville tomorrow for its annual conference, said yesterday that the SIECUS report unfairly attacks the effectiveness of abstinence education. The group told the Washington Post: "Research supports the fact that only abstinence provides 100 per cent protection against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases."

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