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Volume 5, Number 46
14 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
Cost and efficiency of public sector sexually transmitted infection clinics in Andhra Pradesh, India 
(Research Article; Asia)
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BMC Health Services Research. 2005 Nov 5;5(69)
Dandona L | Sisodia P | Prasad TL | Marseille E | Rao MC | Kumar AA | Kumar SG | Ramesh YK | Over M | Someshwar M | Kahn JG
This article obtained detailed cost and output data for the 2003-2004 fiscal year from written records and interviews in 14 government STIs clinics in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Results show there is unutilized capacity in the public sector STI clinics in this Indian state.
Gender relations and reproductive decision making In Honduras
(Research Article; Central America and the Caribbean)
International Family Planning Perspectives. 2005 Sep;31(3):131–139.
Speizer IS | Whittle L | Carter M
This study identified factors associated with male-centered decision-making attitudes and behaviors regarding family size and family planning use. For women, having no children and being in a consensual union were each associated with holding male-centered decision-making attitudes; having less than a secondary education, being of medium or low socioeconomic status and living in a rural area were each associated with male-centered decision making. Among men, having less than secondary education and being in a consensual union were each associated with male-centered decision-making attitudes and behavior. Women who had ever used or were currently using modern methods were significantly less likely to hold attitudes supporting male-centered decision-making than were those who relied on traditional methods and those who had never used a modern method.
The changing context of sexual initiation in sub-Saharan Africa
(Working Paper; Sub-Saharan Africa)
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New York, Population Council, 2005. (Working Paper no. 206)
Mensch BS | Monica JG | Blanc AK
This paper investigates the links between changing age at marriage and premarital sexual behavior in 27 sub-Saharan African countries in which Demographic and Health Surveys were conducted between 1994 and 2003.
Evaluating the need for sex education in developing countries: sexual behaviour, knowledge of preventing sexually transmitted infections/HIV and unplanned pregnancy
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Sex Education: Sexuality, Society and Learning. 2005 Nov 1;5(4):307-331.
Singh S | Bankole A | Woog V
This study evaluated factors for determining the need for sex education in developing coutnries. Researchers found that the earliness of initiation of sexual intercourse has implications for the age by which sexuality education should be provided. The extent and context of sexual behavior is a firm indicator of the need for sex education as well as for counselling, information, and services related to sexual and reproductive health. Apart from behaviors, information on the extent of knowledge and accuracy of knowledge about risks to sexual health and about means of preventing unhealthy or undesired outcomes are important indicators of young people's need for information to help them make choices and to engage in safe and healthy behaviors.
Use of family planning services in the transition to a static clinic system in Bangladesh: 1998–2002
(Research Article; Asia)
International Family Planning Perspectives. 2005 Sep;31(3):115-123.
Mercer A | Ashraf A | Huq NL | Haseen F | Uddin AN | Reza M
This study assess changes in utilization and coverage of family planning services in Bangladesh from 1998-2002. In a time of considerable change in service delivery and sources of contraceptive supply, contraceptive prevalence remained constant in Abhoynagar and increased in Mirsarai. Community clinics quickly became the source of supplies for one-third of contraceptive users in Abhoynagar and one-fifth in Mirsarai. In wards where community clinics became operational (mostly in 2001–2002), three-quarters of women had used one at some time. Despite cultural constraints on mobility, women do not appear to have become dependent on home delivery of contraceptives.
Narrowing sexual behavioural differences between Chinese and non-Chinese populations in Hong Kong: Implications for sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Asia)
AIDS Care. 2006 Jan;18(1):27-34.
Abdullah ASM | Fielding AR | Ebrahim SH
This study compared patterns of sexual behaviour and determinants of unsafe sexual behaviors amongst the Chinese and non-Chinese residents of Hong Kong. Chinese people who were at increased risk of having had sex with a non-regular partner included social hygiene clinic attendees and airport travellers, males, and ever smokers. For non-Chinese this was inconsistent condom use and being aged 18–45. Predictors of inconsistent condom use for Chinese included being aged 18–45, never having been married, and having had sex with non-regular partners; for non-Chinese the predictors were being aged 18–45, having had sex with non-regular partners and being unafraid of AIDS.
FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH NEWS
FDA suggests warnings for condoms
(News Article; Global | North America)
11 Nov 2005
LA Times
Related Unpublished Work: Class II special controls guidance document: labeling for male condoms made of natural rubber latex
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According to this article in the Los Angeles Times, against a background of pressure from social conservatives, the Food and Drug Administration is recommending a new series of labels for condoms, warning that they "greatly reduce, but do not eliminate" the risk of some STDs. The guidance document was issued on November 14, and comments and suggestions regarding the draft document may be submitted within 90 days to the FDA (see the draft document for submission details).
Number of sexual scenes on TV nearly double since 1998
(Press Release; North America)
9 Nov 2005
Kaiser Family Foundation
The number of sexual scenes on television has nearly doubled since 1998, according to Sex on TV 4, a biennial study released today by the Kaiser Family Foundation. And while the inclusion of references to “safer sex” issues – such as waiting to have sex, using protection, or possible consequences of unprotected sex – has also increased since 1998, that rate has leveled off in recent years.
South Africa: sex survey results shocking but realistic
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
9 Nov 2005
Integrated Regional Information Networks
Sixty-four percent of South Africans have had unprotected sex without knowing their partner's sexual history, according to a recent global sex survey by condoms manufacturer Durex. The survey also found that 19% are scared to test for HIV despite their own suspicion of being infected.
Parents-know-best view 'outdated'
(News Article; Europe)
10 Nov 2005
BBC
The view parents know what is best for their children is old fashioned and out of date, the Family Planning Association (FPA) told the High Court. The FPA's Nathalie Lieven spoke at the case of a Manchester woman Sue Axon, who wants to stop under-16s seeking confidential contraception advice. Ms. Lieven said parents had no right to know if their daughter is pregnant.
Expert: sexual revolution in place in China
(Feature Article; Asia)
8 Nov 2005
Xinhua
Once a taboo topic in China, sex is now becoming something that can be discussed at the dinner table. "Chinese people are experiencing a sexual revolution," said Li Yinhe, China's first female sociologist on sex issues.
PSP-One interviews Frank Roijmans, executive director institutional affairs and family planning, Organon International
(Interview; Global)
7 Nov 2005
PSP-One
PSP-One presents a recent dialogue conducted with Mr. Frank Roijmans, Executive Director of Institutional Affairs and Family Planning at Organon International in The Netherlands. The company strives to excel in the fields of reproductive medicine, psychiatry, and anesthesia. Mr. Roijmans has worked with Organon for more than 25 years in South Korea, Morocco, French speaking Africa, and now in The Netherlands as Region Manager for Africa and the Middle East. Organon has recently signed a contract with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to supply 3 million vials of Megestron, its long-acting injectable contraceptive. The product will be used for vital USAID-sponsored family health programs in developing countries. Mr. Roijmans spoke about Organon's role in providing high quality, affordable reproductive health products in developing countries. Readers are also invited to submit their own questions to Mr. Roijmans about issues that interest them.
FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH LAW AND POLICY
Landmark legislation to help orphaned and vulnerable children signed by President Bush, says global action for children
(News Article; Global)
9 Nov 2005
US Newswire
Historic legislation, for the first time presenting a comprehensive response to the needs of orphaned and vulnerable children in poor countries, was signed into law by President Bush recently.
Planned parenthood protests Target's Plan B policy
(News Article; North America)
11 Nov 2005
Associated Press
Target Corp. is defending its policy on filling prescriptions for emergency contraception after the Planned Parenthood Federation of America accused the retailer of disrespecting customers' reproductive rights.
Abstain or die: the development of HIV/AIDS policy in Botswana
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Journal of Biosocial Science. 3 Nov 2005
Heald S
This paper traces the development of policies dealing with HIV/AIDS in Botswana from their beginning in the late 1980s to the current program to provide population-wide anti-retroviral therapy. Using a variety of source materials, including long-term ethnographic research, it seeks to account for the failure of Western-inspired approaches in dealing with the pandemic.
HIV/AIDS RESEARCH
Programmes, resources, and needs of HIV-prevention nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Africa, Central/Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global | Asia | Central America and the Caribbean | Europe | South America | Sub-Saharan Africa)
AIDS Care. 2006 Jan;18(1):12-21.
Kelly JA | Somlai AM Benotsch EG | Amirkhanian YA Fernandez MI | Stevenson LY | Sitzler CA | Mcauliffe TL | Brown KD | Opgenorth KM
This study assessed the programs, resources, and needs of HIV-prevention nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in 75 countries in Africa, Central/Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Most NGOs are carrying out their programs with minimal funding and few regularly employed personnel. Most are highly dependent on international donors, but reliance on small grants with short funding periods limits program development capacity. Across regions, NGOs most often targeted the general public and youth, although specialized at-risk groups were the additional focus of attention in some regions. Limited funding, governmental indifference or opposition, AIDS stigma, and social discomfort discussing sex were often cited as barriers to new HIV-prevention programs.
Analysis of how the health systems context shapes responses to the control of human immunodeficiency virus: case-studies from the Russian Federation
(Research Article; Asia)
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Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2005 Oct;83(10):730-738.
Atun RA | McKee M | Drobniewski F | Coker R
Drawing on methodologies used for rapid situational assessments of vertical programs for tackling communicable disease, researchers analysed programs for the control HIV and their health systems context in three regions in the Russian Federation. They observed a complex political economy within which efforts to control HIV sit, an intricate legal environment, and a high degree of decentralization of financing and operational responsibility. Although each region displays some commonalities arising from the Soviet traditions of public health control, there are considerable variations in the epidemiological trajectories, cultural responses, the political environment, financing, organization and service delivery, and the extent of multisectoral work in response to HIV epidemics.
Is early HIV testing of infants in poorly resourced prevention of mother to child transmission programmes unaffordable?
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Tropical Medicine & International Health. 2005 Nov;10(11):1108-1113.
Sherman GG | Matsebula TC | Jones SA
A prospective, longitudinal, descriptive study was conducted in a PMTCT clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa over an 18-month period to measure the cost of diagnosing HIV infection earlier in infancy. Results indicate a marginal additional investment by government to access an earlier HIV diagnosis for infants could triple the efficacy of PMTCT programs in identifying HIV-infected children for medical management and improved quality and quantity of life. Early diagnosis offers societal benefits that extend beyond economic savings.
Does scale matter? The costs of HIV-prevention interventions for commercial sex workers in India
(Research Article; Asia)
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Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2005 Oct;83(10):747-755.
Guinness L | Kumaranayake L | Rajaraman B | Sankaranarayanan G | Vannela G | Raghupathi P | George A
This study explored how the scale of a project affects both the total costs and average costs of HIV prevention in India. Economic cost data and measures of scale (coverage and service volume indicators for number of cases of STIs referred, number of STIs treated, condoms distributed and contacts made with target groups) were collected from 17 interventions run by NGOs aimed at commercial sex workers in southern India. Coverage varied from 250 to 2008 sex workers. The median cost per sex worker reached was US$19.21. The scale variables explain more than 50% of the variation in unit costs for all of the unit cost measures except cost per contact. Total costs and unit costs have non-linear relationships to scale.
AIDS and evidence: interogating some Ugandan myths
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Journal of Biosocial Science. Online access November 14, 2005.
Allen T
This paper reviews findings by epidemiologists and anthropologists and draws on the author’s experiences of researching in the country since the early 1980s. It comments on various myths about HIV/AIDS in Uganda, including myths about the origin and dissemination of the disease, about the links between HIV/AIDS and war, and about declining rates of infection.
HIV and sexually transmitted infections among women presenting at urban primary health care clinics in two cities of sub-Saharan Africa
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
African Journal of Reproductive Health. 2005 Apr;9(1):88-98.
Mbizvo EM | Msuya S | Hussain A | Chirenje M | Mbizvo M | Sam N | Stray-Pedersen B
This study assessed and compared differences in the characteristics that may affect the prevalence of HIV/STIs among women in two cities in Africa, Harare and Moshi. Multivariate analysis was used to generate odds ratio. STIs and behavior characteristics among this low risk group of women could not fully explain the higher HIV prevalence in Zimbabwe, 29.3% compared to 11.5% in Tanzania. Researchers recommend that interventions target identified risk factors with particular attention to youths.
Invasive cervical cancer and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 2005 Oct;25(7):706-710.
Moodley M | Mould S
This study examined the influence of HIV on the course of disease and response to treatment of invasive carcinoma of the cervix. The findings suggest a more rapid decline in health and earlier demise for HIV-infected women with carcinoma of the cervix.
HIV/AIDS NEWS
Uganda: global fund lifts ban on AIDS grants
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
11 Nov 2005
Integrated Regional Information Networks
Uganda welcomed the release of a grant package worth US $367 million from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which the organization suspended last August amid allegations of mismanagement. The grants were frozen following an independent audit by PricewaterhouseCoopers, which discovered incidents of inadequate monitoring and accounting of expenditures for one of Uganda's grants to combat HIV. the Global Fund announced that it had lifted its suspension of aid to Uganda following what it called the country's "intensive efforts" to rectify "serious mismanagement" of funding.
Swaziland: new law says death to child rapists in fight against AIDS
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
9 Nov 2005
Integrated Regional Information Networks
In response to growing alarm over Swaziland's HIV infection rate, a draft law proposing the death penalty for child rape and the intentional transmission of the virus was released recently.
Researchers halt HIV gel study
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
9 Nov 2005
myDNA News
Family Health International (FHI) and Cellegy Pharmaceuticals announced that they plan to stop the HIV prevention trial of vaginal gel called Savvy being conducted by FHI in Ghana. This decision followed a recommendation of the study's external, independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC). The DMC reviewed the study data to date and concluded that, while there is no evidence of safety concerns based on the comparative HIV infection rates in the Savvy and placebo groups, the Ghana study would be unable to evaluate the effectiveness of the product.
Condom use against HIV/AIDS is 'pro-life', says bishop
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
11 Nov 2005
Catholic Information Service for Africa
A Catholic bishop who supports the use of condoms in the fight against HIV/AIDS contrary to the church's stand has called for new a theology for the pandemic.
Kenya: doctors call for better monitoring of patients on ART
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
10 Nov 2005
Integrated Regional Information Networks
Health officials in Kenya have called for anti-AIDS drugs to be properly prescribed to avoid an increase in side effects and adverse reactions.
UN agencies agree to accelerate HIV prevention in Africa
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
10 Nov 2005
Angola Press Agency (Luanda)
Seven UN agencies have adopted a 10-point Declaration to support countries in the African Region to accelerate HIV prevention.
UN agencies to assist El Salvador military with AIDS prevention, sexual health
(News Article; Central America and the Caribbean)
11 Nov 2005
Noticias
Two United Nations agencies have signed an agreement with El Salvador’s Ministry of Defense that will help educate the country’s military about sexual and reproductive health and AIDS prevention.
Singapore to promote HIV/AIDS education in workplaces
(News Article; Asia)
8 Nov 2005
People's Daily Online
Singapore will launch an HIV/AIDS education and prevention program in workplaces to help de-stigmatize the illness.
A Ugandan village rallies around children orphaned by AIDS
(Feature Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
9 Nov 2005
ReliefWeb
UNICEF is supporting local governments, UWESO, and other NGO partners to implement the national policy of caring for children orphaned by AIDS, a project currently being piloted in Masaka, Adjumani, Bugiri, and Kabarole districts.
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH
Cost effectiveness analysis of strategies for maternal and neonatal health in developing countries
(Research Article; Asia | Sub-Saharan Africa)
British Medical Journal. 2005 Nov 12;331(7525)
Adam T | Lim SS | Mehta S | Bhutta ZA | Fogstad H | Mathai M | Zupan J | Darmstadt GL
Researchers determined the costs and benefits of interventions for maternal and newborn health in sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia to assess the appropriateness of current strategies and guide future plans to attain the millennium development goals. They found that the most cost effective mix of interventions (similar in both regions) were the community based newborn care package, followed by antenatal care (tetanus toxoid, screening for pre-eclampsia, screening and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria and syphilis); skilled attendance at birth, offering first level maternal and neonatal care around childbirth; and emergency obstetric and neonatal care around and after birth.
Socioeconomic inequality in infant mortality in Iran and across its provinces
(Research Article; Middle East)
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Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2005;83(11):837-844.
Hosseinpoor AR | Mohammad K | Majdzadeh R | Naghavi M | Abolhassani F | Sousa A | Speybroeck N | Jamshidi HR | Vega J
Researchers analyzed data from the provincially representative DHS done in Iran in 2000 to measure the socioeconomic inequality in infant mortality. They found a decreasing trend in infant mortality in relation to socioeconomic quintiles.
Investing in children's health: what are the economic benefits?
(Research Article; Global)
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Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2005 Oct;83(10):777-784.
Belli PC | Bustreo F | Preker A
This paper, from the Bulletin of the World Health Organization, argues that investing in children's health is a sound economic decision for governments to take, even if the moral justifications for such programs are not considered. The paper also outlines dimensions that are often neglected when public investment decisions are taken.
The geographical distribution of underweight children in Africa
(Research Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
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Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2005 Oct;83(10):764-770.
Nube M | Sonneveld BG
The authors used large-scale, nationally representative nutrition surveys to study geographical patterns of underweight children in Africa. They found distinct geographical patterns in the occurrence of underweight children, which could be linked to factors such as agronomic and climatic conditions, population density and economic integration.
A significant sex--but not elective cesarean section--effect on mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis C virus infection
(Research Article; Europe)
Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2005 Dec;192(11):1872-1879.
European Paediatric Hepatitis C Virus Network
This study aimed to quantify the risk factors for mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis C. Girls were twice as likely to be infected as boys. There was no protective effect of elective cesarean section (CS) delivery on HCV vertical transmission. HCV/HIV–coinfected women more frequently transmitted HCV than did women with HCV infection only. Maternal history of injection drug use, prematurity, and breast-feeding were not significantly associated with transmission. Transmission occurred more frequently from viremic women, but it also occurred from a few nonviremic women.
MEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH
Complications of vasectomy
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England. 2005 Nov;87(6):406-410.
Awsare NS | Krishnan J | Boustead GB | Hanbury DC | McNicholas TA
This article reviews the early and late risks associated with vasectomies. Early complications include hematoma, wound and genito-urinary infections, and traumatic fistulae. Vasectomy failure occurs in 0–2% of patients. Antisperm antibodies develop in a significant proportion of men post-vasectomy, but do not increase the risk of immune-complex or atherosclerotic heart disease. Similarly, vasectomy does not enhance risk of testicular or prostate cancer. Vasectomy has a lower mortality as compared to tubal occlusion, but is still significantly high in non-industrialized countries because of infections.
MEN'S HEALTH NEWS
Record numbers of men are being hit by their stressed-out wives and girlfriends
(News Article; Europe)
13 Nov 2005
The Independent
New figures show that the number of calls to domestic violence helplines from male victims has more than doubled over the past 5 years in Britain. And now one of the world's leading feminist journals will investigate the issue of male abuse for the first time in its history: the Psychology of Women Quarterly will devote a whole edition to research on violent women and their behaviour towards men. Professor John Archer, an expert on both male and female aggression, attracted huge controversy with a report five years ago showing that women were likely to lash out more frequently than men. "There is a strong cultural ethos drummed into men from an early age that it's wrong to retaliate, but these attitudes are not drummed into women," said Mr. Archer, Professor of psychology at the University of Central Lancashire. "The Rebecca Wade case was treated as a joke which typifies the differences in attitudes. The male victim is seen as a subject of fun."
POPULATION RESEARCH
Tempo and its tribulations
(Research Article; Global)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
2005 Nov 11;13(9):201-222.
Wachter KW
Author's abstract: Bongaarts and Feeney offer alternatives to period life expectancy with a set of demographic measures equivalent to each other under a Proportionality Assumption. Under this assumption, we show that the measures are given by exponentially weighted moving averages of earlier values of period life expectancy. They are indices of mortality conditions in the recent past. The period life expectancy is an index of current mortality conditions. The difference is a difference between past and present, not a “tempo distortion” in the present. In contrast, the Bongaarts-Feeney tempo-adjusted Total Fertility Rate is a measure of current fertility conditions, which can be understood in terms of a process of birth-age standardization.
Paternal age and congenital malformations
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Human Reproduction. 2005 Nov;20(11):3173-3177.
Zhu JL | Madsen KM | Vestergaard M | Olesen AV | Basso O | Olsen J
This study explored the association between paternal age and congenital malformations. Data suggest that advanced paternal age may be associated with an excess occurrence of some specific malformations. The association could be caused by mutations of the gametes in men induced by biological or environmental factors.
POPULATION NEWS
One in three women born in the early 1960s is childless
(News Article; Europe)
11 Nov 2005
The Herald
Almost one in three Scottish women now aged between 43 and 45 has never had children, according to official statistics.
WOMEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH
Contraceptive use among the poor in Indonesia
(Research Article; Asia)
International Family Planning Perspectives. 2005 Sep;31(3):106–114.
Shoemaker J
This study compared overall contraceptive use, reliance on specific methods, source of supplies, and reasons for nonuse of contraceptives between poor and better-off women in Indonesia. Better-off women wanted significantly fewer children than did moderately or extremely poor women, were more likely to approve of family planning (93% vs. 87–91%), and were more likely to believe their spouses approved (91% vs. 80–87%). Better-off women and moderately poor women had higher odds of using modern contraceptives than did extremely poor women.
Gender inequality and intimate partner violence among women in Moshi, Tanzania
(Research Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
International Family Planning Perspectives. 2005 Sep;31(3):124-130.
McCloskey LA | Williams C | Larsen U
This study assesed intimate partner violence in Tanzania through a population-based survey. The researchers found that gender inequality within sexual unions was associated with intimate partner violence.
WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS
Warning issued about birth-control patch
(Unpublished Work; Global)
11 Nov 2005
CNN
Related Unpublished Work: Questions and answers: Ortho Evra (norelgestromin/ethinyl estradiol)
The makers of the Ortho Evra birth-control patch warned millions of women recently that the patch exposes them to significantly higher doses of hormones and may put them at greater risk for blood clots and other serious side effects than previously disclosed.
Fighting genital mutilation in Sierre Leone
(Feature Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2005 Nov;83(11)
Activists in West Africa say mass literacy campaigns and education are the best way to stop the harmful traditional practice of female genital mutilation in Sierra Leone.
YOUTH HEALTH RESEARCH
Youth Infonet 19 - October 2005
(Newsletter; Global)
Family Health International, 2005.
This issue of the electronic newsletter features 21 Web sites designed to assist youth with information on reproductive health and HIV prevention. It also includes summaries of seven peer-reviewed articles featuring research on youth reproductive health and HIV/AIDS from Bulgaria, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, and Uganda.
An assessment of the awareness of sexual and reproductive rights among adolescents in South Western Nigeria
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
African Journal of Reproductive Health. 2005 Apr;9(1):99-112.
Ogunlayi MA
This study, conducted in Ikeja and Ikorodu Local Government Areas of Lagos State, examined the awareness of sexual and reproductive rights among adolescents in south-western Nigeria. The study revealed that the majority of adolescents were aware of sexual and reproductive health rights but lacked knowledge of contents of the rights. Most were not aware of sexual and reproductive health programs being implemented for adolescents. In addition, those who were aware of such intervention programs could not access or use the services due to certain sociocultural barriers.
Exploring older adolescents’ and young adults’ attitudes regarding male hormonal contraception: applications for clinical practice
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Human Reproduction. 2005 Nov;20(11):3078-3084.
Marcell AV | Plowden K | Bowman SM
This study used semi-structured interviews to explore young people's attitudes regarding male hormonal contraceptive methods (HCM). The data revealed five major themes that can facilitate and/or hinder male HCM adoption: (1) impact of reversing roles in HCM use; (2) men’s lack of involvement in health care; (3) men’s reliability to use HCM effectively; (4) perceived responsibility of men who use HCM; and (5) men’s apprehension to use new medicines. Overall, participants had positive impressions about male HCM (67% male; 67% female) and female partner trust of males’ use was high (85%), as were males’ intentions (60%).
YOUTH HEALTH NEWS
Baby steps in bringing down teen pregnancy
(Feature Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
10 Nov 2005
Integrated Regional Information Networks
According to findings of the Ministry of Health's Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Implementation Strategy 2003: "A very small number (of teenage pregnancies) is [caused] by peers." The good news, however, is that teenage pregnancy rates are declining.
One in nine among under-25s test positive for chlamydia
(News Article; Europe)
10 Nov 2005
The Guardian (UK)
Related News Article: Sex disease epidemic could leave women infertile
One in nine young people under 25 in Britain is testing positive in the national screening program for the STD chlamydia, suggesting that the fertility-threatening infection is even more widespread than feared.
Kyrgyzstan: rising teen pregnancy blamed on ignorance
(Feature Article; Asia)
8 Nov 2005
Kyrgyzstan Development Gateway
Sex education remains a controversial topic in Kyrgyzstan, where abortion is usually the solution to unwanted pregnancies.
BOOKS/BOOK REVIEWS
Dying to be men: youth and masculinity and social exclusion
(Book; Global)
Routledge, 2005.
Barker GT
Based on field research and interviews in the USA and Brazil, "Dying to be Men" explores how manhood or male identity is shaped in poor urban settings, how it is that some young men resist the prevailing norms, what the implications are for social policy, and what are the most important forms of intervention.
Calendar of Events
November 17, 2005 - November 18, 2005Population-Level Bioethics: Mapping a New Agenda
Bioethics has mainly addressed ethical issues at the individual level, particularly involving the patient-doctor relationship. The ethical issues arising in regard to health at the population level are equally vexing and often involve higher stakes. This conference maps a new departure for bioethics and initiates its exploration. Scheduled presentations include "Society's Responsibility for Health", "Personal Responsibility and Population Health", and "Health System Reform".
Event Location: Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2006 - March 3, 2006
Information for Action: Facility and Community Focus
The Routine Health Information Network (RHINO) will hold its third international workshop from February 26 to March 3, 2006 in Chiang Rai, Thailand. The workshop focuses on data collection and information use at community and facility levels of the health care system. Together the community and facility represent the service delivery interface of the health system, meaning the level "where action takes place". The workshop will be organized through the USAID funded MEASURE Evaluation Project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand, Mahidol University, and the Institute of Medical Research of Thailand.
Event Location: Chiang Rai, Thailand
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