Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: The INFO Project

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The Pop Reporter®

Volume 5, Number 45
7 November 2005

The Pop Reporter is available in CD-ROM (January 2004 to present) format. Contact Ghazaleh Samandari with your request and complete mailing address.

FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RESEARCH

Poverty reduction: does reproductive health matter?
(Working Paper; Global)
Washington, DC, The World Bank, 2005.
Greene ME | Merrick T
Funding for the reproductive health agenda agreed at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development has fallen short of estimated requirements. In the changed funding environment, stronger evidence on the links between reproductive health and poverty reduction is needed. This paper reviews the evidence base on three reproductive health outcomes: early childbearing, maternal survival, and unintended pregnancy. Building on the "capacities" approach to poverty assessment advocated by Amartya Sen, this evidence is organized in a framework that includes health and education outcomes for mothers and children, as well as household consumption and production effects.



Sexual and reproductive health & HIV/AIDS: a framework for priority linkages
(Policy Brief; Global)
WHO, IPPF, UNAIDS, UNFPA, 2005.
WHO | IPPF | UNAIDS | UNFPA
This framework proposes a set of key policy and program actions to strengthen linkages between Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and HIV/AIDS programs. These linkages work in both directions, by integrating HIV/AIDS issues into ongoing SRH programs, and conversely, SRH issues into HIV/AIDS programs. This should enhance SRH, contribute to reversal of the AIDS epidemic, and mitigate its impact.



The influence of family planning logistics systems on contraceptive use
(Working Paper; Global)
Arlington, VA, John Snow, Inc., October 2005.
Karim AM
This study examines the influence of family planning logistics system performance on contraceptive use. The performance of logistics systems in 17 countries was assessed in 1995 and 1999 using an index constructed from 17 items. The study supports the notion that an effective supply chain is essential for the success of family planning programs; about one-fifth of the contraceptive prevalence rate in the sampled countries is attributable to the performance of the logistics systems.



Why can't a man be more like a woman? Sex, power, and politics
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2005 Nov;106(5):1065-1070.
Potts M
Conflicts between male and female reproductive agendas continue to play out in contemporary issues of sex, power, and politics. Viewing gender through the lens of biologic evolutionary psychology reveals persistent controversies surrounding women's rights. The history of oral contraceptives compared with that of erectile dysfunction drugs is just one example of the disparity between female and male reproductive choices. This article explores contraceptives, maternal mortality, abortion, and domestic violence as they are influenced by politics, religion, and gender biases.

FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH NEWS

5 million condoms used every month
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
5 Nov 2005
The Sunday Vision
Uganda uses 5 million condoms a month despite poor distribution, according to the condom co-ordinator in the Ministry of Health.



Fertility rate on increase
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
7 Nov 2005
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation
Reproductive health professionals are sounding an alarm over the rising fertility rates in Kenya. They term the rise from four to five children per woman as a significant rise that calls for repositioning of family planning in the country’s main agenda.



Riches to the poor
(Interview; Global)
30 Oct 2005
TIME
Bill and Melinda Gates have poured more than $6 billion into global health. They spoke to TIME magazine just before making a $258 million commitment to fight malaria. In the interview, Gates is asked: "How important is the issue of reproductive health as a way of combating AIDS?" He responds: "We're big believers in families, particularly mothers, having access to information about family planning, contraception. AIDS today is a lot about making condoms available, teaching people about the disease, getting them to change their behavior. So a lot of what we fund focuses on those things."



Condom output set to hit 2 billion pieces by year-end
(News Article; Asia)
3 Nov 2005
The Star
Condom production in Malaysia is expected to reach 2 billion pieces by year-end from the current annual output capacity of 1.2 billion pieces. The increase in production is due to strong growth in demand for condoms in the export market, especially from countries in Asia and Africa. Malaysia is the fifth largest condom producer in the world after Thailand (3 billion pieces), India (2.9 billion), China (2.5 billion), and Japan (2 billion).



Contraception is left to women, survey finds
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
2 Nov 2005
Independent Online
Most of the progress on gender issues had to do with women's health, a South African Commission on Gender Equality report has found. A worrying trend, though, was that women were still held mainly responsible for contraception, the Commission disclosed in the report.



Woman leads way for healthy birth
(Feature Article; Asia)
3 Nov 2005
Vietnam Net
According to this feature article, Puih H'Soi, 20, should be thought of as a flower of the Tay Nguyen or Central Highlands because of the way she has helped improve the reproductive health of her fellow village women during the past five years.



Introducing www.laterbaby.org: a new educational web site for young women who want children in the future
(Press Release; Global)
4 Nov 2005
dBusinessNews
Extend Fertility presents www.laterbaby.org, a new web site featuring expert insight, information, a fertility IQ Test, and community and advocacy for women who are proactive about family planning.



Interruption at abstinence conference, says abstinence clearinghouse
(News Article; North America)
3 Nov 2005
U.S. Newswire
At a technical conference on program evaluation in Baltimore, Maryland (US), the morning keynote speaker, deputy Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, Claude Allen, was interuppted by a small group of protestors rushing the stage and calling for "safe sex." Abstinence educators in the crowd supported Allen with a positive chant of "Abstinence works every time!" When abstinence educators began to chant "When Condoms Fail, People Die," proponents of sex education were silenced momentarily.

FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH LAW AND POLICY

U.S. court allows survey of children on sex topics
(News Article; North America)
2 Nov 2005
Reuters
Parents have no constitutional right to prevent public schools from exposing children to sexual topics, a U.S. appeals court ruled. The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's decision that found the rights of parents were not violated by a California public school district that allowed a psychological survey of its elementary school children.



African health specialists adopt the Johannesburg call to action on ending fistula
(Press Release; Sub-Saharan Africa)
27 Oct 2005
UNFPA
In a Call to Action adopted at the close of their four-day meeting on 26 October, more than 100 senior officials from the ministries of health of 34 countries, international agencies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) agreed that actions taken to eliminate fistula will help achieve international commitments on development, and particularly improve the health of mothers and infants, as well as address gender and economic inequities.



Manitoba widens domestic violence law
(News Article; North America)
4 Nov 2005
CBC News
Manitoba residents suffering from dating violence can ask for protection orders under a new law. Under the old legislation, only those who had been living together could apply for such protection. The amended Domestic Violence and Stalking Act now extends to those who are only dating. Protection orders are also easier to get, sometimes even over the telephone, and can oblige an offender to get counselling.



Beyond access: transforming policy and practice for gender equality in education
(Book; Global)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
Oxford, UK, Oxfam GB, 2005.
This book focuses on transforming policy and practice to promote equitable processes in education, in response to the need for equality, quality, and justice for all. It considers the significance of gender equality in education, and the ways in which gender inequality relates to other sources of division and conflict in society. The book first examines the extent of inequality and the nature of the challenge to achieve gender equality in education. It provides a picture of what has been learned, and identifies some changes that are needed if gender equality is to be achieved. The second part presents accounts of government policies and their intended and unintended consequences for women's empowerment.



Abstinence educators call for GAO investigation of government spending on comprehensive sex education
(News Article; North America)
3 Nov 2005
U.S. Newswire
In the midst of a national Abstinence Education Evaluation Conference being sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, abstinence educators are calling for an investigation of the questionable content and ethical concerns with comprehensive sex education programs being supported with government money.



Man gets 21 years for HIV exposure
(News Article; North America)
4 Nov 2005
Associated Press
A former government worker who had sex with women and teenage girls without warning them he had the AIDS virus was sent to prison by a judge who labeled him a "violent, self-absorbed outlaw."

HIV/AIDS RESEARCH

HIV testing among female sex workers in Andhra Pradesh, India
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Asia)
AIDS. 2005 Nov 18;19(17):2033-2036.
Dandona R | Dandona L | Kumar GA | Gutierrez JP | McPherson S | Bertozzi SM
Of 6,648 female sex workers (FSW) in 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh state in India, only 7.9% reported having undergone HIV testing, and three-quarters of the rest were unwilling to undergo HIV testing in the future. The risk of HIV infection as a result of the non-use of condoms was higher among FSW who reported not having been tested and were also unwilling to get tested, and they also held significantly more negative beliefs about HIV/AIDS.



Complementary factors contributing to the rapid spread of HIV-I In sub-saharan Africa: a review
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
East African Medical Journal. 2005;82(1):40-46.
Nyindo M
Most published data from 1981 to September 2004 found to have revealed an impact on the spread of HIV-1 in sub-Saharan Africa were included in this literature review. The main risk factors for HIV-1 infection and AIDS disease in Sub-Saharan Africa were found to be poverty, famine, low status of women in society, corruption, naive risk taking perception, resistance to sexual behavior change, high prevalence of STIs, internal conflicts and refugee status, antiquated beliefs, lack of recreational facilities, ignorance of individual's HIV status, child and adult prostitution, uncertainty of safety of blood intended for transfusion, widow inheritance, circumcision, illiteracy, female genital cutting, and polygamy.



Lessons learned to date from HIV/AIDS transport corridor projects
(Working Paper; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Washington, DC, The World Bank, 2005.
Brushett S | Osika JS
This paper describes the experiences gained and challenges faced in the preparation of the regional HIV/AIDS project for the Abidjan-Lagos transport corridor, which was formally launched in December 2003. The project objective is to increase access along the corridor to HIV/AIDS prevention, basic treatment, support and care services for underserved, vulnerable groups, including transport sector workers and their clients. Information was taken from reviews of documents and stakeholder answers to a structured questionnaire. The report also lists other transport corridors around the world where HIV/AIDS interventions are underway, planned, or might be considered.



HIV/AIDS/STD prevention intervention messages: an evaluation of the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of a rural South African sample
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance. 2005;11(1):33-49.
Peltzer K
This study evaluated HIV/AIDS/STD prevention intervention messages on a rural adult sample in South Africa over 15 months. Results showed that sexual risk behavior reduced (multiple partners), the number of sexually transmitted symptoms reduced, and attitudes towards Persons Living With HIV/AIDS (PWLAs) improved, partly due to community and mass media interventions and partly determined by the high level of mortality experienced by the studied communities.



Effect of HIV on work-related injury rates in South African gold miners
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
AIDS. 2005 Nov 18;19(17):2019-2024.
Murray J | Sonnenberg P | Nelson G | Shearer S | Bester A | Begley A | Glynn JR
The study objective was to calculate the effect of HIV on the rate and severity of work-related injuries by duration of infection. HIV infection increased the rate of work-related injuries overall, but had less effect on severe injuries. Injury rates in HIV-positive men prior to the first positive test were similar to those in HIV-negative men. The injury rate rose soon after the first HIV positive test. After seroconversion there was only weak evidence of an increase in injury rates by duration of infection.



Increased prevalence of severe malaria in HIV-infected adults in South Africa
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Clinical Infectious Diseases . 2005 Dec;41(11):1631-1637.
Cohen C | Karstaedt A | Frean J | Thomas J | Govender N | Prentice E | Dini L | Galpin J | Crewe-Brown H
This study assessed the effect of HIV infection status, advancing immunosuppression, and antimalarial immunity on the severity of malaria. Results show HIV-infected nonimmune adults are at increased risk of severe malaria. This risk is associated with a low CD4+ T cell count.



Gender, age, and ethnicity in HIV vaccine-related research and clinical trials: report from a WHO-UNAIDS consultation, 26-28 August 2004. Lausanne, Switzerland
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
AIDS. 2005 Nov 18;19(17):w7-w28.
WHO-UNAIDS Expert Group
This report summarizes the presentations and recommendations from a consultation held in Lausanne, Switzerland (26-28 August 2004) organized by the joint World Health Organization (WHO) - United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) HIV Vaccine Initiative. The consultation discussed issues related to gender, ethnicity, and age in HIV vaccine research and clinical trial recruitment.



Lemon and lime juice as potential microbicides: questions and cautions
(Fact Sheet; Global)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
Global Campaign for Microbicides, June 2005.
This fact sheet, from the Global Campaign for Microbicides, addresses issues around lime/lemon juice as possible microbicides.

HIV/AIDS NEWS

Credibility concerns may make China coy about disclosing HIV data: expert
(News Article; Global | Asia)
2 Nov 2005
TODAYonline
China may be keeping new estimates for the number of HIV infections secret because they are lower than previously published figures and could undermine the government's credibility, a US researcher has said. This could be the reason why the official HIV figure has remained at 840,000 for the past 2 years. A new estimate, if it exists, has not been made public because of concern about the political impact of such an announcement, he said.



HIV treatment begins to gel: microbicide promises much in the battle against AIDS
(News Article; Global)
30 Oct 2005
Nature
A triple-action gel has been shown to restrict the spread of an HIV-related virus in monkeys, raising hopes for a fresh weapon in the fight against AIDS.



Sorcery, shame hinders fight against AIDS
(Feature Article; Oceania)
3 Nov 2005
MSNBC
Sorcery and fear of AIDS in the jungle villages of Papua New Guinea has seen infected people thrown into rivers to drown, dumped in graves to die, or abandoned to starve to death, according to those fighting the disease.



Survey shows Russians want greater media attention and education on HIV/AIDS
(Press Release; Asia)
27 Oct 2005
Transatlantic Partners Against AIDS
A majority of Russians say HIV/AIDS is a problem that needs more attention and view mass media as an effective mechanism for battling the HIV/AIDS epidemic, according to a new national public opinion survey by Transatlantic Partners Against AIDS (TPAA).



AIDS whistle-blower
(Feature Article; Asia)
31 Oct 2005
TIME
This TIME magazine article profiles Gui Xien, an infectious-disease specialist at Wuhan University, whose work helped bring attention to the HIV/AIDS epidemic spreading across China.



Risk of HIV infection in married people high - study
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
3 Nov 2005
The Herald (Harare)
Married people in Zimbabwe now risk getting infected with HIV more than those who are single, findings have shown.



Christian Church launches HIV/AIDS policy document in Zimbabwe
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
4 Nov 2005
Xinhua
Heads of Christian Church Denominations in Zimbabwe on Friday launched an HIV/AIDS policy document that sets out the guidelines and principles in the fight against the pandemic.



Henan gets it right in war on HIV/AIDS
(News Article; Asia)
4 Nov 2005
Xinhua
Henan Province in China was once the darkest spot on the nation's HIV/AIDS landscape. Now the province is the shining example on setting up a comprehensive healthcare system to fight the disease.



Int'l program on AIDS prevention launched in Xinjiang
(News Article; Asia)
4 Nov 2005
Xinhua
A 9.8-million-US-dollar project co-sponsored by the British Department for International Development and the Norwegian government has been launched in Xinjiang to help the northwestern Uygur autonomous region prevent HIV/AIDS.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH

Thirty years of maternal-child health policies in the community
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text)
American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing. 2005 Nov-Dec;30(6):373-379.
Tiedje LB
This article reviews outcomes, indicators, and challenges for building evidence-based practice in community maternal-child health (MCH) and includes promising new design and analytical strategies. In addition, 10 topic areas are listed, which are the foundation of community MCH evidence: (1) evidence of health behavior on mortality/morbidity; (2) theoretical underpinnings of public policy interventions; (3) evidence of growing health disparities; (4) the potential of exploding information technologies; (5) data on aging, maternity, employment, and lactation; (6) data on the changing face of HIV/AIDS; (7) data on the changing way we give birth; (8) drug safety registries; (9) antibiotic-resistant organisms; and (10) environmental pollutants and health.



Does severity of HIV disease in HIV-infected mothers affect mortality and morbidity among their uninfected infants?
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Clinical Infectious Diseases . 2005 Dec;41(11):1654-1661.
Kuhn L | Kasonde P | Sinkala M | Kankasa C | Semrau K Scott N | Tsai WY | Vermund SH | Aldrovandi GM |Thea DM
Researchers investigated the hypothesis that the severity of HIV disease and immune dysfunction among mothers is associated with increased morbidity and mortality among their uninfected infants. Children born to HIV-infected mothers with advanced disease who escaped perinatal or early breastfeeding-related HIV infection are nonetheless at high risk of mortality and morbidity during the first few months of life. HIV-related immunosuppression appears to have adverse consequences for the health of infants, in addition to risks of vertical transmission.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NEWS

HIV/AIDS increases maternal deaths in Zambia: UN agency
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
2 Nov 2005
Xinhua
The impact of HIV/AIDS on maternal health has seen an increase in pregnancy related deaths as it reduced the immunity of an expecting mother.



"Bauchi leads in maternal, infant mortality"
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
2 Nov 2005
This Day (Lagos)
The status of reproductive health in the North-East sub-region of Nigeria has been described as very poor, with Bauchi State having the highest rate of maternal and infant mortality in the country.

MEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH

Should HIV patients be considered a high risk group for the development of prostate cancer?
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Europe)
Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England. 2005 Nov;87(6):437-438.
Quatan N | Nair S | Harrowes F | Hay P
Very few case reports exist regarding the incidence of prostate cancer in younger HIV-infected patients. This study explores that connection based on findings from a cohort of about 200 men treated in England, aged 40 years or more. On the basis of the evidence presented in both case reports and from the literature, clinicians should be aware that men with HIV infection should be considered a high-risk group for prostate cancer and consider early screening.

MEN'S HEALTH NEWS

Bark-clad monster guards Senegal circumcision rite
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
4 Nov 2005
Reuters
Despite the intrusion of the modern world, mystery and exclusion still envelop some aspects of the all-male circumcision tradition. Circumcision of women was banned in Senegal in 1999.

POPULATION RESEARCH

Tempo effect on age-specific death rates
(Research Article; Global)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
2005 Nov 4;13:189-200.
Horiuchi S
The purpose of this article is to show that tempo effects can operate in mortality, using a more general assumption about the shape and shift of death distribution than Feeney’s hypothetical example. Sections 2 and 3 give a mathematical proof that if the age distribution of cohort deaths within an age interval shifts toward older (younger) ages, the period number of deaths in the age interval and, in turn, the age-specific death rate are biased downward (upward).



Global mobility of talent from a perspective of new industrial policy: open migration chains and diaspora networks
(Report; Global)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
Washington, DC, The World Bank Group, 2005.
Kuznetsov Y | Sabel C
All the very valid concern about brain drain from developing countries not-withstanding, this paper argues for and demonstrates the possibility of win-win positive dynamics benefiting both sending countries and migrants themselves.

POPULATION NEWS

Koreans' life span grows by 8.4 years
(News Article; Asia)
7 Nov 2005
Korea.net
Koreans' life expectancy grew by 8.4 years over the past two decades, the world's eighth largest increase, according to the National Statistics Office.



Tackling population issues through motivation
(News Article; Middle East)
2 Nov 2005
The Daily Star
The Social Affairs Ministry of Lebanon and the United Nation Population Fund launched a motivation strategy on population issues.

WOMEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH

Gender analysis of the patterns of human trafficking into and through the Koh Kong province
(Report; Asia)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Legal Support for Children and Women, 2005.
This research project presents a situational and gender analysis into the patterns of human trafficking into, through and from Koh Kong in Cambodia, as well as identifying areas of weakness in the current criminal justice and social welfare response within Koh Kong and between Cambodia and Trad province in Thailand. It provides a number of recommendations relating to Cambodia in particular, general recommendations to governments of Cambodia and Thailand including strategies for safe migration and prevention of trafficking.



Preventing and responding to gender-based violence in middle and low-income countries: a global review and analysis
(Working Paper; Global)
Washington, DC, The World Bank, 2005.
Bott S | Ellsberg M | Morrison A
The authors review what is known about more and less effective (or at least promising) approaches to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. They present definitions, recent statistics, health consequences, costs, and risk factors of gender-based violence. The authors analyze good practice initiatives in the justice, health, and education sectors, as well as multisectoral approaches. For each of these sectors, they examine initiatives that have addressed laws and policies, institutional reforms, community mobilization, and individual behavior change strategies. Finally, the authors identify priorities for future research and action.



Vaginal douching, condom use, and sexually transmitted infections among Chinese female sex workers
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Asia)
Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2005 Nov;32(11):696-702.
Wang B | Li X | Stanton B | Yang H | Fang X | Zhao R | Dong B | Zhou Y | Liu W | Liang S
Vaginal douching has been hypothesized to increase a woman's risk for HIV infection, a connection investigated by this study. Vaginal douching was reported by 64.7% of the women. The prevalence of self-reported history of STI and that of current STI was 19.4% and 41.5%, respectively. Fifteen percent of the women reported consistent use of condoms with their clients and 8.4% with their regular partners. Vaginal douching was significantly associated with decreased use of condoms and increased rate of self-reported STI history. However, there was no direct relation between douching and current STI.



Good practices in combating and eliminating violence against women: report of the expert group meeting
(Report; Global)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
United Nations, 2005.
This report lays out the expert group's recommendations for elements of effective practices in combating violence against women in the areas of law, prevention, and provision of services.



Prevalence and risk factors for vaginal candidiasis among women seeking primary care for genital infections in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
East African Medical Journal. 2005;82(3):139-144.
Namkinga LA | Matee MIN | Kivaisi AK | Moshiro C
This cross-sectional study of 464 women determined the prevalence and risk factors for vaginal candidiasis (VC) among women seeking primary care for genital infections. Of the 464 women examined, 177 (38.1%) had abnormal vaginal discharge, 68 (14.7%) had genital ulcers, 272 (58.6%) had genital pruritis, 18 (3.9%) had genital warts, and 58 (12.5%) had chancre. The occurrence of VC was positively associated with HIV, bacterial vaginosis, genital pruritis, genital discharge; and negatively with T. vaginalis, occupation, and with education.



Refugee women's health: collaborative inquiry with refugee women in Rwanda
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Health Care for Women International. 2005 Nov-Dec;26(10):880-896.
Pavlish C
This study describes a collaborative capacity building experience in a Rwandan refugee camp with refugee women from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Thematic results of focus group discussions included the health implications of poverty, the struggle to survive, the overburden of daily work, ambivalence about family planning, and the lack of freedom to express themselves.

WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS

A gender jihad for Islam's future
(Commentary; Global)
6 Nov 2005
Nomani AQ
In this commentary published in The Washington Post, Asra Nomani, a former reporter for the Wall Street Journal and author of the book "Standing Alone in Mecca", writes about her involvement in the first International Congress on Islamic Feminism, held in Barcelona last week. She writes: "In the communities where we live, we have begun challenging customs that deny women rights from the mosque to the bedroom: gender segregation, mandatory veiling, forced early marriages, clitorectomies, polygamy, death for sex outside of marriage, domestic violence and strict domestic roles."



Studies view ways to stop cervical cancer
(News Article; Global)
1 Nov 2005
Seattle PI
Related Abstract; subscription needed for full text: Feasibility of management of high-grade cervical lesions in a single visit: a randomized controlled trial
Related Abstract; subscription needed for full text: Screen-and-treat approaches for cervical cancer prevention in low-resource settings: a randomized controlled trial
Low-income American women and women in developing countries who are tested for cervical cancer could benefit from faster, more aggressive treatment, two studies suggest. Some of those women would be treated unnecessarily, but some experts believe the trade-off might save lives in impoverished countries where women often die from a cancer that can be treated if caught early.



Pakistani rape victim gets honor in U.S.
(News Article; Asia)
3 Nov 2005
Newsday
A Pakistani activist who was gang-raped at the orders of a tribal council was honored by Glamour Magazine as Woman of the Year for her fight against oppression in her homeland. Mukhtar Mai braved social stigma by going public with her 2002 assault and used the international attention she attracted to set up a girls school in her rural community.

YOUTH HEALTH RESEARCH

Parental factors and sexual risk-taking among young people in Côte d'Ivoire
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
African Journal of Reproductive Health. 2005;9(1):49-65.
Babalola S | Tambashe BO | Vondrasek C
This study examined the relation between parental factors and sexual risk-taking among young people. Three parental factors (living in the same household as the father during childhood, perceived parental disapproval of early and premarital pregnancy, and parent-child communication about sexual abstinence) were positively associated with primary sexual abstinence (defined as yet to experience sexual debut), secondary sexual abstinence (defined as sexual abstinence subsequent to sexual debut) and reduced number of sex partners. The findings suggest that parental monitoring and control are important predictors of youth sexual behaviors and underscore the need to target parents and guardians in efforts to promote responsible sexual behaviors among adolescents.



Perceived sufficiency and usefulness of IEC materials and methods related to HIV/AIDS among high school youth in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
African Journal of Reproductive Health. 2005;9(1):66-77.
Cherie A | Mitkie G | Ismail S | Berhane Y
This study assessed the perceived sufficiency and usefulness of HIV/AIDS information and education and communication (IEC) messages and materials and also identified preferences for IEC sources and methods. A total of 901 students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, participated in the study. Over three quarters of the respondents believed in the usefulness of IEC. IEC materials were perceived to be useful in increasing knowledge about HIV/AIDS by 456 (51%), to influence attitude by 357 (40%), and to acquire safer sexual practices by 382 (42%). None of the information sources and messages available for high school students highly satisfied the sufficiency indicators.



A better future for rural girls: manager's briefing kit
(Teaching and Training Material; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Family CARE International, 2005.
This briefing kit (available in English and French) presents the results and recommendations of participatory research conducted with rural girls, boys, their families and local leaders in three rural communities: Soula, Burkina Faso, M'Bi'nina, Mali, and M'ouane, Senegal, to identify the challenges that rural girls face and come up with strategies to address their many needs. The authors argue that few of the rural health and development programs and projects in French-speaking Africa are aimed specifically at rural girls; this kit therefore suggests key policy and program strategies aimed at policy makers and program managers.

YOUTH HEALTH NEWS

Sudan: displaced girls trying to cope on the streets
(Feature Article; North Africa)
1 Nov 2005
Integrated Regional Information Networks
According to an analysis of children's rights published by Save the Children-Sweden in 2005, 700 babies were abandoned in Khartoum and surrounding areas in the year 2000 and the first half of 2001. The number of girls living on the streets was going up while the number of babies being born and abandoned was also increasing.



Guide for girls sparks Spanish sex storm
(News Article; Europe)
2 Nov 2005
AFP
For its critics, a Spanish "guide for girls" looks more like the main road to sexual hell and damnation. According to the Women's Institute of the central northern region of Castilla La Mancha, the reason behind the guide, aimed at 11 to 18-year-olds, was to "modify thinking and discriminatory conduct to arrive at a new model of woman."

Calendar of Events

See All Events

November 3, 2005
IGWG's second technical update on gender-based violence
The day-long seminar will focus on addressing gender-based violence from the reproductive health sector and will feature speakers from global interventions in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
Contact's Name: Emily Poster / E-Mail: eposter@prb.org
Event Location: Washington, DC


December 1, 2005
Love, Marriage and HIV Risk
Five co-investigators will present findings from their individual enthographic studies in Uganda, Vietnam, Nigeria, New Guinea, and Mexico. The study addresses how, why, and when marriage may not be as protective against HIV exposure as is usually assumed. Issues of commonality across locations and unique aspects in each will be discussed.
Contact's Name: Susan Newcomer / E-Mail: newcomes@mail.nih.gov
Event Location: Bethesda, MD, USA


January 10, 2006 - January 13, 2006
National Conference on Research in HIV/AIDS
The conference is being organised to take stock of the existing and ongoing research in the country and to stimulate new thinking. The focus on the presentation and sharing of research work will be in the areas of communication, bio-medical areas, and social aspects. The conference would also provide a platform to gain new insights regarding scientific aspects from the field in the realm of care and prevention.
Contact's Name: Conference Secretariat / E-Mail: secretariat@nacoresearchconference2006.com
Event Location: New Dehli, India


May 24, 2006 - May 26, 2006
1st International Conference on ICT for Development, Education and Training
eLearning Africa is a conference to be held annually in Africa. Themes include capacity development supported by eLearning, access and connectivity issues in Africa, localisation, customisation and content development, and eLearning in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
Event Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia


July 3, 2006 - July 15, 2006
Gender and Organizational Development Course
The course is designed for development professionals who seek to build up their skills and knowledge in mainstreaming gender in their organizations and their programs and projects. The course will focus on concepts and approaches to mainstreaming gender and how to operationalize these within the total organization. The overall aim of the course is to enhance the understanding of the concepts of gender and development, and in mainstreaming gender in institutions and programs.
Event Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia


August 30, 2006 - September 1, 2006
Geneva Forum: Towards Global Access to Health
This three-day forum will focus on exploring and proposing new approaches to improving access to health in the current context of globalization. The event will offer plenary sessions, symposia, workshops, free communications, posters and exhibitions.
Event Location: Geneva, Switzerland


September 18, 2006 - December 8, 2006
Educational Programme Production: Children and Development (Radio, Television, Internet)
The course aims to strengthen the capacity of educational broadcasters to design and produce attractive and effective educational programs and multimedia material for, with, and by children, on issues to do with children and development.
Event Location: Hilversum, The Netherlands


October 15, 2006 - October 20, 2006
2nd International Conference and General Assembly Meeting of the African Network for Strategic Communication in Health and Development
The theme of this conference is 3rd Generation HIV and AIDS Communication: The Key to Prevention, Care and Treatment. The conference will bring together about 500 HIV and AIDS communication practitioners working in Africa.
Event Location: Cape Town, South Africa


October 25, 2006 - October 27, 2006
The World Congress on Communication for Development
The first World Congress on Communication for Development will focus on demonstrating that communication for development is an essential ingredient for meeting today’s most pressing development challenges and, as such, should be more fully integrated in development policy and practice. This 3-day Congress will bring together communication professionals engaged in development initiatives, policymakers, development practitioners, donor and civil society organization representatives, community representatives, and academics from around the world to share experiences and best practices in this growing field. Discussions and presentations will focus on what works, what doesn’t, and how communication for development contributes to better development effectiveness.
Event Location: Rome, Italy

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