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The Pop Reporter®

Volume 4, Number 45
8 November 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

Sexual and Reproductive Health Promotion at the Grassroots: Theater for Development -- A Case Study (research article)
This paper is a commentary on the rationale, uses, and methodology of theater for development and in sexual health training and includes a case study of a training module.


Review of Field Experiences: Integration of Family Planning and PMTCT Services (report)
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This report reviews field experiences with the integration of family planning and PMTCT services. Population Council carried out the review from February – March 2004 in consultation with the WHO and USAID. Without exception, investigators found that family planning has been adopted as one of the elements of national PMTCT programs though the content, intensity, and degree of integration varies
considerably between national programs and also between sites within a program.


The Feasibility of Government Partnerships with NGOs in the Reproductive Health Field in Mexico (research abstract)
This paper analyzes whether the conditions exist in Mexico for successful partnerships between the public sector and NGOs in the reproductive health field. Partnerships were found to be an option for the provision of reproductive health services in geographical areas where the population is under-served, and for services the government does not provide. The future of NGOs in Mexico will depend largely on their ability to obtain funding from within the country.


Intrauterine and Barrier Contraception (a Practical Review of Recent Developments) (research abstract)
This article briefly examines recent developments in intrauterine contraceptive technology and barrier methods and looks at issues around STIs associated with these methods.

FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH NEWS

Nepal Celebrates Condom Day (news article)
On October 30, the Nepalese people celebrated something very unusual, a Condom Day, to spread awareness on reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, and population control.


Is India about to Throw Away the Condom? (news article)
Health care providers have expressed concern that the government's Rural Health Mission emphasises "surgical intervention" to control the population, thereby marginalizing the condom, a major AIDS control tool.


Bangladesh: Condom Use Lowest among Sex Workers: HIV Prevalence among IDUs Close to Epidemic (news article)
The HIV prevalence rate among injecting drug users (IDUs) has been increasing in Bangladesh over the last couple of years, and condom use among prostitutes is still distressingly low, journalists learned at a workshop.


Oral Contraceptives May Lower Libido, Studies Say (news article)
Two studies, reported last week at the annual meeting of the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health, probed the possible link between oral contraceptive use and the reduction of testosterone levels, which in turn may contribute to loss of libido. A 1999 study found that a third of women ages 18-59 reported a persistent lack of interest in sex.

FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH LAW AND POLICY

Ten Years of Democracy in South Africa: Documenting Transformation in Reproductive Health Policy and Status (news article)
This paper documents the changes in health policy and services that have occurred in South Africa, focusing particularly on key areas of sexual and reproductive health: contraception, maternal health, termination of pregnancy, cervical and breast cancer, gender-based and sexual violence, HIV/AIDS and STIs and infertility. Despite important advances, significant changes in women's reproductive health status remain difficult to discern, given the relatively short period of time and complexity of factors that influence health, especially inequalities in socio-economic and gender status.


The Role and Influence of Stakeholders and Donors on Reproductive Health Services in Turkey (research abstract)
This paper presents a critical review of the national reproductive health policies and programs of Turkey and discusses the influence of national and international stakeholders and donors on policy and implementation.


India: Outrage at Guns for Sterilisation Policy (news article)
Related: news article: Sterilisation Not the Answer to India Population Growth
Three months ago, officials in three districts of Uttar Pradesh, India's largest and most populous state, announced that to obtain a single-barrel shotgun, two people would need to be sterilized; for a revolver license, the price would be five.

HIV/AIDS RESEARCH

Correcting Gender Inequalities is Central to Controlling HIV/AIDS (editorial)
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This editorial from the World Health Organization bulletin facilitates an analysis of how men’s and women’s roles increase vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and how gender-sensitive programming may help curb its spread.


The Changing Pattern of Bloodstream Infections Associated with the Rise in HIV Prevalence in Northeastern Thailand (news article)
A survey of bloodstream infections was conducted in a hospital in northeastern Thailand between 1989 and 1998, during the onset of the HIV epidemic. It was found that Group D non-typhoid Salmonellae bloodstream infections rose coincident with the increase in HIV seroprevalence, and preceded the increase in the other HIV-associated infections. Other non-typhoid Salmonella bacteraemias increased two years after the rise in group D infections, and invasive yeast infections increased four years later, coincident with the increase in AIDS suggesting that such infections are an early warning signal of an impending rise in AIDS.


HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Lethal Synergy (research article)
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This article summarizes a presentation at the International AIDS Society–USA on numerous studies that have shown a higher risk of acquiring HIV infection in the presence of STDs. Studies in Malawi clinic populations indicate that treatment of STDs can reduce genital tract HIV levels. Work in Africa and India has also indicated that genital herpes infection is associated with increased risk of acquisition of HIV and that presence of genital ulcer disease is associated with increased risk of transmission of HIV disease.


Preliminary Efficacy and Safety of Oral Suspension SH, Combination of Five Chinese Medicinal Herbs, in People Living with HIV/AIDS: The Phase I/II Study (research article)
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This study evaluates the preliminary efficacy and safety of the mixture of drug extracts from 5 Chinese medicinal herbs (SH), in the treatment of HIV infection. Satisfactory positive response, by decreased viral load of more than 0.5 log, was found in 14%-35% of HIV-positive patients. However, the immunologic response was not clearly demonstrated. The clinical benefit of SH needs more scientific support before being prescribed as adjunctive therapy for treating people living with HIV/AIDS.
[Large PDF File]

HIV/AIDS NEWS

UN: AIDS Progression to Stabilize by 2010 (news article)
Related: report: World Population to 2300
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A new report from the UN predicts that, 300 from now, the world's population will have stabilized at about nine billion and we will look forward to living until age 95. In Japan, already a bastion of longevity, people will be hanging around until they're 106. The report also projects that HIV will slow its spread by 2010 and a cure for HIV/AIDS will eventually be found, eliminating that downward pull on the population.


Genetics May Aggravate India's Growing AIDS Problem (news article)
The genetic makeup of Indians favors a fast and easy spread of AIDS, Indian scientists have cautioned their government. The presence of certain genetic variants also suggests that an AIDS vaccine developed elsewhere may not be effective in India.


Traditional Healers Enlisted in the Fight Against AIDS (news article)
South Africa's indigenous healing tradition has sustained itself with no state funding for hundreds of years. Now that it has been recognized by an act of parliament, the next step is to bring traditional healers' expertise to bear in dealing with HIV/AIDS.


South Africa: AIDS Drugs Needed for HIV Positive Children (feature article)
The South African government's refusal to disclose the number of children receiving antiretroviral drugs in KwaZulu-Natal province has raised fears among AIDS activists that children's rights to health care and life are being violated.


India to Reassess HIV/AIDS Program (news article)
India is planning to re-strategize its HIV/AIDS control and treatment program after a fresh independent evaluation.


Kyrgystan: Row Over HIV/AIDS Teaching Manual Continues (news article)
A row over a book published in 1999 designed to help Kyrgyz teachers promote HIV/AIDS awareness and healthy lifestyles is continuing, involving everyone from parliamentarians to parents.


Uganda: US Gives US $100 Million to Combat HIV/AIDS (news article)
Related: news article: U.S Announces New Grants to Support Orphans and Vulnerable Children (Word file)
The United States has given Uganda an additional US$100 million to fund HIV/AIDS projects, including programs to support orphans and other vulnerable children, the US embassy announced in a press release dated October 20.


Ghana: First HIV/AIDS Comic CD ROM Launched (news article)
Related: news article: Ghana Information Network for Knowledge Sharing Website
The first comic CD-ROM to be designed by a Ghanaian on HIV/AIDS with a special focus on youth was formally launched in a preview in Accra.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH

Maternal Education and Child Nutritional Status in Bolivia: Finding the Links (research abstract)
This study models various pathways linking maternal education and child nutritional status in Bolivia, using a national sample of children. Pathways examined include socioeconomic status, health knowledge, modern attitudes towards health care, female autonomy, and reproductive behavior. Results suggest that socioeconomic factors are the most important pathways linking maternal education and child nutritional status, and that modern attitudes about health care also explain the impact of education.


Maternal Exposure to Biomass Smoke and Reduced Birth Weight in Zimbabwe (research abstract)
This study investigates the association between household use of biomass fuels for cooking and birth weight. Analysis is based on 3,559 childbirths in the 5 years preceding the 1999 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey. Babies born to mothers cooking with wood, dung, or straw were 175g lighter on average, compared with babies born to mothers using LPG, natural gas, or electricity. Findings suggest household use of high pollution cooking fuels may cause reduced birth weight.


Progress for Children: A Child Survival Report Card (report)
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This report looks at trends in the indicators for the fourth MDG, which aims for a two-third reduction of under-five mortality rates between 1990 and 2015. Tracing back to the 1960s it takes a regional and global analysis to the achievements in reducing child mortality. It finds that global gains have been made in child survival since 1990, but there are also significant discrepancies within and across countries and regions.


Maternal Prepregnancy Overweight and Obesity and the Pattern of Labor Progression in Term Nulliparous Women (research abstract)
Researchers examined the effect of maternal overweight and obesity on labor progression. Labor progression in overweight and obese women was significantly slower than that of normal-weight women before 6cm of cervical dilation. Given that nearly one half of women of childbearing age are either overweight or obese, it is critical to consider differences in labor progression by maternal prepregnancy BMI before additional interventions are performed.


The Skilled Attendance Index: Proposal for a New Measure of Skilled Attendance at Delivery (research abstract)
To supplement currently available information on the presence of an attendant at delivery, a method to measure the extent of skilled attendance at delivery through use of clinical records was devised. Data were collected from 416 delivery records in hospitals, government health centers, and private non-hospital maternity facilities servicing Kintampo District, Ghana, using a case extraction form. Based on the defined criteria, summary measures of skilled attendance were calculated. Between 32.6% and 93% of the criteria for skilled attendance were met in the sample, with a mean of 65.5%. No delivery met all the criteria.


The Effects of Contraception on Obstetric Outcomes (report)
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The first section of this paper, from the Department of Reproductive Health and Research,WHO, reviews the evidence for the assertion that contraception benefits maternal health by reducing the number of high-risk births. The second section examines a related possibility—that unwanted births represent a greater threat to the mother’s health than wanted births because less time and money are invested in antenatal and natal care. This section presents new evidence on the link between unwantedness and obstetric care. The third section uses published data to re-examine the relationship between changes in contraceptive practice and abortion rates.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NEWS

Zimbabwe's Infant Mortality Rising (news article)
The Minister of Health and Child Welfare says infant mortality had risen from 40 to 65 in every 1,000 live births, while under-five mortality rose from 59 to 102 per 1,000 live births between 1985 and 1999.

MEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH

Quality of Life and its Correlates in HIV/AIDS Male Outpatients Receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Taiwan (research abstract)
This study identifies Quality of Life (QoL) in HIV/AIDS male outpatients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and its correlates in Taiwan. The results reveal that multiple factors affect QoL for HIV/AIDS male outpatients receiving HAART, including severity of depression, deterioration of work function, inconvenience resulting from medication schedules and medical appointments, lack of social support, negative stressors, and adverse effects of HAART.


Working with Men and Boys to Promote Gender Equality and to End Violence Against Boys and Girls (report)
This report (in Word format) reviews gender based violence and promoting gender equality with a focus of men and boys in the South Central Asia region. It summarises the three-day workshop on 'Strengthening partnership with men and boys to promote gender equality and end violence against girls and boys', where participants from the region met and shared practical experiences of and theoretical insights into working with men and boys on issues of masculinities that promote gender equality and non-violence towards children and women. The workshop also developed strategies and concrete action plans for increasing partnership with men and boys to address violence against girls and boys and for promoting gender equality from a child-rights based approach.

MEN'S HEALTH NEWS

At-home Tests for Male Fertility (news article)
Over-the-counter male fertility tests, invented by a University of Virginia researcher, will be for sale worldwide as soon as next year.

POPULATION RESEARCH

World Population to 2300 (news article)
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Related: news article: World Population in 2300 Could Stabilize at 9 Billion, UN Estimates
Related: news article: UN: AIDS Progression to Stabilize by 2010
This volume, from the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations, presents the results of long-range projections and includes a detailed analysis. A series of essays on the issue of long-range projections are incorporated in this report, enriching the debate on this important topic. Experts from outside the United Nations, many of whom took part in the technical working group meetings, authored these essays. It also projects that HIV will slow its spread by 2010 and a cure for HIV/AIDS will eventually be found, eliminating that downward pull on the population. This report is 254 pages (1.8Mb).


Long-range Trends in Adult Mortality: Models and Projection Methods (working paper)
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This study from the Population Council has two objectives: (1) to test a new version of the logistic model for the pattern of change over time in age-specific adult mortality rates, and (2) to develop a new method for projecting future trends in adult mortality. A test of the goodness-of-fit of the logistic model for the force of mortality indicates that its slope parameter is nearly constant over time. This finding suggests a variant of the model that is called the shifting logistic model. A new projection method based on the shifting mortality model is proposed and compared with the widely used Lee-Carter procedure.


Epidemiology of HIV in South Africa - Results of a National, Community-based Survey (research abstract)
This study looks at HIV prevalence in the South African population and associated risk factors. A national sample of 10,197 households was selected and HIV prevalence in the general population was found to be 11.4% (12.8% in females and 9.5% in males). Blacks had the highest prevalence (12.9%), compared with whites (6.2%). Informal settlements in urban areas had the highest HIV prevalence (21.6%). The findings of this study are consistent with South African Department of Health estimates based on the 2002 antenatal survey.

POPULATION NEWS

The Mideast 'Bomb' No One Talks About (news article)
If Iraq became a sturdy democracy tomorrow, and if Israel and the Palestinians settled their differences overnight, the Arab world would still face a problem that threatens its long-term stability: a population surge.


In Some Nations, the Rise of 'Shortgevity' (news article)
While most populations have seen gains in lifespan over the decades, in two dozen countries human life spans are shortening for one of the few times since the bubonic plague swept through Europe and elsewhere in the 14th century.


Calendar Influences Beijing's Birth Rate (news article)
Beijing expects to see the arrival of 10,000 more babies this year, the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese lunar calendar, over last year, the Year of the Sheep. It is believed that one reason for this is the Year of the Monkey is considered lucky, much more so than the Year of the Sheep, which is said heralds bad luck.

WOMEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Practice of Modern Contraceptive Methods among Currently Married Women in District Naushahro Feroze (research article)
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This community based cross-sectional survey estimates the prevalence and factors associated with practice of modern contraceptive methods among currently married women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Pakistan. The prevalence of modern contraceptive methods was 27.9%. Socio-demographic factors of women, number of children, and education of the husband were significantly associated with use of modern contraceptive methods.


Addressing Gender-Based Violence in the Latin American and Caribbean Region: A Critical Review of Interventions (working paper)
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This paper provides an overview of gender-based violence (GBV) in Latin America with special emphasis on good practice interventions to prevent GBV or offer services to its survivors or perpetrators. Intimate partner violence and sexual coercion are the most common forms of GBV, and these are the types of GBV that are analyzed.

WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS

Cervical Cancer Vaccine Promising (news article)
Efforts to develop the world's first vaccine to prevent cervical cancer took a key step forward recently with test results suggesting that it can provide long-lasting protection.

YOUTH HEALTH RESEARCH

Associations among Adolescent Risk Behaviours and Self-Esteem in Six Domains (PubMed abstract)
This study, from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, investigated associations among adolescents' self-esteem in 6 domains and risk behaviors related to substance use, bullying, suicidality and sexuality. Results show that low self-esteem in the family and school contexts and high self-esteem in the peer domain were significantly independently associated with multiple risk behaviours in adolescents of both sexes. Low body-image self-esteem and global self-worth were also uniquely associated with risk behaviors in girls, but not in boys. A link to the free, full text article is available through PubMed.


Exploring the Social and Cultural Context of Sexual Health for Young People in Mongolia: Implications for Health Promotion (research abstract)
This study employed qualitative research methods to explore and describe the social and cultural context in which sexual behavior is negotiated among secondary school students in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.


A Multi-sectoral Approach to Providing Reproductive Health Information and Services to Young People in Western Kenya: The Kenya Adolescent Reproductive Health Project (report)
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In response to the need for improved adolescent sexual education in Kenya, the Population Council’s Frontiers in RH Program, the PATH Kenya office, and the Kenyan government collaborated on a multi-sectoral project to 1) improve knowledge about reproductive health and encourage a responsible and healthy attitude towards sexuality among adolescents 2) delay the onset of sexual activity among younger adolescents and 3) decrease risky behaviours among sexually active adolescents. This report summarizes the project and its outcomes.

YOUTH HEALTH NEWS

HIV/AIDS: Kids Need Special Drugs (news article)
A lack of drugs adapted to the needs of children with HIV/AIDS means that many of them are dying needlessly, says the humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders.


Malawi: Project Encourages Female Condom Use (news article)
In a move considered to be a breakthrough for the conservative culture of Malawi, a local NGO has been distributing female condoms to schoolgirls in the southern districts - the region worst affected by HIV/AIDS.


Kenya: Council Unhappy with AIDS Adverts Targeting Youth (news article)
The National AIDS Control Council is unhappy with the new TV commercials from Population Services International, which are targeting children and youth. Council director Patrick Orege says that both commercials do not project the seriousness of the HIV/AIDS issue, and are more entertainment than message.

BOOKS/BOOK REVIEWS

Looking Back, Looking Forward: A Profile of Sexual and Reproductive Health in India (book)
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This book offers a comprehensive overview of the reproductive health and rights situation in India and highlights major programmatic challenges and directions for policy-relevant empirical research on sexual and reproductive health in the country. The file is 157 pages (491Kb).

Continuous Identification of Research Evidence (CIRE) Related to Family Planning Guidance

Lara-Torre E, Edwards CP, Perlman SE, and Hertweck SP. Bone mineral density in adolescent females using depot medroxyprogesterone acetate. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. 2004 Feb;17(1):17-21. (CIRE)
Findings in this article have been found relevant to WHO Method: Progestogen-Only Injectables and Condition: Age/Life-stage

Link to CIRE evidence: http://www.infoforhealth.org/cire_pub.pl?cire_input=POI.Age..2419.3127.Y
Link to POPLINE record: http://db.jhuccp.org/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpcgi.exe?BU=http%3A%2F%2Fdb.jhuccp.org%2Fdbtw-wpd%2Fexec%2Fdbtwpcgi.exe&QF0=DocNo&QI0=191110&TN=Popline&AC=QBE_QUERY&RF=LongRecordDisplay



Scholes D, LaCroix AZ, Ichikawa LE, Barlow WE, and Ott SM. The association between depot medroxyprogesterone acetate contraception and bone mineral density in adolescent women. Contraception. 2004 Feb;69(2):99-104. (CIRE)
Findings in this article have been found relevant to WHO Method: Progestogen-Only Injectables and Condition: Age/Life-stage

Link to CIRE evidence: http://www.infoforhealth.org/cire_pub.pl?cire_input=POI.Age..2388.3128.Y
Link to POPLINE record: http://db.jhuccp.org/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpcgi.exe?BU=http%3A%2F%2Fdb.jhuccp.org%2Fdbtw-wpd%2Fexec%2Fdbtwpcgi.exe&QF0=DocNo&QI0=190276&TN=Popline&AC=QBE_QUERY&RF=LongRecordDisplay



Berenson AB, Breitkopf CR, Grady JJ, Rickert VI, and Thomas A. Effects of hormonal contraception on bone mineral density after 24 months of use. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2004 May;103(5 Pt 1):899-906. (CIRE)
Findings in this article have been found relevant to WHO Method: Progestogen-Only Injectables and Condition: Age/Life-stage

Link to CIRE evidence: http://www.infoforhealth.org/cire_pub.pl?cire_input=POI.Age..2480.3197.Y
Link to POPLINE record: http://db.jhuccp.org/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpcgi.exe?BU=http%3A%2F%2Fdb.jhuccp.org%2Fdbtw-wpd%2Fexec%2Fdbtwpcgi.exe&QF0=DocNo&QI0=192497&TN=Popline&AC=QBE_QUERY&RF=LongRecordDisplay

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