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Volume 5, Number 48
28 November 2005
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FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RESEARCH
Microbicides for prevention of transmission of sexually transmitted diseases
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2005 Nov;11(29):3731-3746.
Howett MK | Kuhl JP
In this review, the authors describe many of the principles of microbicide mechanisms and give examples of major types of microbicides and their actions. Currently, 62 microbicides are in development, with 6 entering Phase III clinical trials, 11 entering Phase I clinical trials, and 44 in pre-clinical development.
A quality of care issue! Appropriate use and efficacy knowledge of five contraceptive methods: Views of men and women living in low socioeconomic settlements of Karachi, Pakistan
(Research Article; Asia)
Journal of Pakistan Medical Association. 2005 Sep;55(9):363-368.
Fikree FF | Saleem S | Sami N
Married Muslim women and men (500 each) were randomly selected from two low socioeconomic settlements in Karachi, Pakistan. Four hundred men and 357 women were selected from this larger sample based on their knowledge of condoms, withdrawal, oral pills, injectables, and IUDs. Nearly half of the sampled men (56%) and women (48%) were contraceptive users. Knowledge regarding contraception, a specific method, its availability, and affordability was high. Appropriate use knowledge for condoms was 73% among men and 5% among women. Efficacy knowledge was generally poor.
Biological false-positive tests comprise a high proportion of Venereal Disease Research Laboratory reactions in an analysis of 300,000 sera
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
International Journal of STD & AIDS. 2005 Nov;16(11):722-726.
Geusau A | Kittler H | Hein U | Dangl-Erlach E | Stingl G | Tschachler E
This retrospective study on syphilis screening at the STI unit of a University Department emphasizes the necessity of a treponemal-specific test as the appropriate screening test.
Vaginal delivery of contraceptives
(Abstract; Global)
Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery. 2005 Jul;2(4):729-736.
Sitruk-Ware R
This review addresses specifics of the vaginal route for delivering contraceptive steroids and describes the various systems available or under evaluation.
Guidelines for warehousing health commodities 
(Programming Guide; Global)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
Arlington, Va., John Snow, Inc./DELIVER, 2005.
These guidelines were written for anyone trying to meet and solve the challenges of operating a warehouse today. They are an important reference tool for managers and staff, whether they are constructing a new warehouse, implementing a new warehouse system, or redesigning their current system. The guidelines consist of four sections: human resource, layout planning, racking systems and material handling equipment, and warehouse management system. The text is augmented by detailed illustrations, including a proposed organogram for staff. Guidelines for Warehousing Health Commodities provides up-to-date information on all aspects of warehousing.
Antisperm vaccine for contraception
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
American Journal Of Reproductive Immunology. 2005 Dec;54(6):378-383.
Naz RK
This study is a review of antisperm contraceptive vaccine development with the main focus on research going on in the author's laboratory.
FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH NEWS
Promoting reproductive health through religion
(Interview; Asia)
21 Nov 2005
The Jakarta Post
UNFPA executive director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid recently visited Indonesia to promote gender equality and equity, as well as reproductive health. Obaid stressed the importance of religious leaders taking part in the effort to improve reproductive health in Muslim countries during a conversation with The Jakarta Post.
Health officials ponder population control measures at Agra meet
(News Article; Asia)
24 Nov 2005
New Kerala
Population and health officials from 19 developing countries have pledged to curb infant and maternal mortality rates as they pondered over ways to reign in population growth.
30% say OK to sex before marriage
(News Article; Asia)
24 Nov 2005
Xinhua
More than a third of Nanjing's young people have said they see premarital sex as acceptable. In a survey of 391 16-to-25-year-olds, 36% said they accepted sex before marriage.
Gov't looks for ways to replace contraceptives
(News Article; Asia)
25 Nov 2005
PIA Information Service
Commission on Population XI Director Maduh Damsani said the government is looking for ways to replace contraceptive and sustain the government's family planning program, with cheap alternatives. Vasectomy and tubal ligation are among the outpatient services being offered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.
Barbers in a new role promote family planning
(News Article; Asia)
22 Nov 2005
PTI India
Barbers are now taking up a new role of spreading awareness on prevention and checking of AIDS in India. Apart from explaining measures for prevention of AIDS, the barbers will also distribute books and condoms promoting safe sex.
Many prostitutes, migrants don't use condoms regularly
(News Article; Asia)
28 Nov 2005
Xinhua
Prostitutes and migrant women need more access to sex education to reduce the spread of sexual disease and cut down on the high abortion rate in Shanghai, a sociologist told a forum on women's studies.
Huge rise in sexual disease cases
(News Article; Europe)
24 Nov 2005
BBC News
New cases of HIV in Scotland have reached the highest level since records began, research has revealed. The NHS survey also showed that cases of syphilis trebled and chlamydia cases were rising by more than 1,000 a year.
FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH LAW AND POLICY
Condoms plan for taxi passengers
(News Article; Europe)
24 Nov 2005
BBC News
Taxi drivers in Edinburgh could soon be handing out free condoms to couples on their way home after a night out. The manufacturer behind the plan hopes to have the scheme operating by January and talks have been taking place about a similar scheme in Glasgow. Council officials have yet to give their approval.
A national sexually transmissible infections strategy: the need for an all-embracing approach
(Editorial; Oceania)
The Medical Journal of Australia. 2005;183(10):502-503.
Mindel A | Kippax S
The authors argue that specific priority actions and screening programs in Australia should target sexually active young people.
Senegal: villages vow to stop cutting girls
(Feature Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
24 Nov 2005
Integrated Regional Information Networks
In Senegal, female genital mutilation is practiced by about 20% of the population. In the predominantly Pular region of Matam, more than 94% of women aged between 15 and 49 have been cut, according to a national health study released earlier this year. In 1999, the Senegalese parliament adopted legislation against female genital mutilation, but the stiff sentences faced for violating the law, which range from 6 months’ jail to a lifetime of hard labor, have rarely been applied.
HIV/AIDS RESEARCH
AIDS epidemic update 2005
(Press Release; Global)
UNAIDS, December 2005.
Related News Article: UN body says record new HIV cases
Related Press Release: HIV infection rates decreasing in several countries but global number of people living with HIV continues to rise
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
Related News Article: Unsafe sex, drug use leads to spike in HIV/AIDS in Latin America: UN
The UNAIDS/WHO annual AIDS Epidemic Update for 2005 was launched on Monday 21 November in 19 countries around the world. The annual update reports on the latest developments in the global AIDS epidemic. With maps and regional summaries, the 2005 edition features a special section on HIV prevention.
Screening HIV-infected persons for tuberculosis --- Cambodia, January 2004--February 2005
(Report; Asia)
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2005 Nov 25;54(46):1177-1180.
In 2003, health officials in Banteay Meanchey Province, Cambodia, began a project to increase tuberculosis (TB) screening among persons with HIV infection. Data from the first 14 months indicated that 37% of HIV-infected persons had been screened for TB disease and 24% of those screened had TB disease diagnosed. In response, the officials worked to increase awareness of the risk for TB among HIV-infected persons. During the next 3 months, the TB screening rate increased to 61%.
Anti-HIV-1 microbicides - 'chemical condoms' designed to limit the scourge of the HIV-1 pandemic
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2005 Nov;11(29):3747-3756.
Scholand SJ | DeSimone JA | Pomerantz RJ
This review summarizes some of the important products in the development pipeline.
Vulnerability and HIV/AIDS in Africa: from demography to development
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Population, Space and Place. 2005 Nov 24;11(6):473-484.
Gould WTS
The importance of the development dimensions in Africa is illustrated in this paper through discussion of the wide range of scenarios offered by UNAIDS for the patterns and levels of the epidemic for 2025.
Contraception for women and couples with HIV
(Teaching and Training Material; Global)
Family Health International, 2005.
This module, from Family Health International, contains guidance for providers who offer contraception to clients with HIV, including those on ARV therapy. The information can be used in a variety of health care settings by providers who regularly offer family planning services, and by those who want to begin integrating contraceptive services with HIV treatment and care services. Specific information about contraceptive options for clients with HIV, possible interactions between hormonal contraceptives and ARVs, decisions clients with HIV may have to make, and advice about how to counsel them is included. Recommendations are compiled from a number of sources, including the Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (WHO, 2004).
The feasibility of voluntary counselling and HIV testing for pregnant women using community volunteers in Zimbabwe
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
International Journal of STD & AIDS. 2005 Nov;16(11):755-759.
Shetty AK | Mhazo M | Moyo S | von Lieven A | Mateta P | Katzenstein DA | Maldonado Y | Hill D | Bassett MT
The purpose of this pilot project was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of voluntary counselling and HIV testing (VCT) by pregnant women using community volunteers in Zimbabwe to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV. Despite many challenges, VCT delivered by community volunteers is feasible and acceptable for pregnant women aiming to reduce their risk of transmitting HIV to their infants.
HIV/AIDS NEWS
Personal computers enlisted in AIDS research
(News Article; Global)
22 Nov 2005
Reuters
Related Tool: FightAIDS@Home
A new project in the fight against AIDS will tap into the unused power of individual and business computers to help research and identify drugs used to combat the HIV virus. An Internet-based initiative, called FightAIDSatHome, aims to enlist about 100,000 computer users to donate the use of their machines when they would otherwise be idle. Participants' machines can request data from a central server, process it and send back the results. The organizers hope to develop new chemical strategies to treat HIV-infected individuals, according to the San-Diego based Scripps Research Institute, which is behind the effort. The web site is available at www.fightaidsathome.org.
New approach to controlling HIV/AIDS needed, The Lancet
(News Article; Global)
25 Nov 2005
Medical News Today
The year-on-year escalation in new HIV infections demands a new and integrated approach in which access to care and treatment is expanded simultaneously with HIV-prevention efforts, states an editorial in The Lancet.
Thailand faces new AIDS threat
(News Article; Asia)
27 Nov 2005
International Herald Tribune
After 12 years of progress in fighting AIDS, and with the international community due to mark World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, Thailand could face a resurgence of the epidemic, said Mechai Viravaidya, a Thai senator and an activist on AIDS and population issues. "And the reason behind all of this," he said, "is that we have been complacent."
More women declare their sero-status
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
21 Nov 2005
The Chronicle Newspaper (Lilongwe)
The HIV/AIDS Quarterly Service Coverage report of April to June this year has shown that more women than men in Malawi are declaring their sero-status.
Tajikistan: rate of HIV/AIDS infection up by 20 percent
(News Article; Asia)
23 Nov 2005
Integrated Regional Information Networks
The number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Tajikistan rose by 20.5% over the 9 months to September 2005 compared to the same period last year.
Truckers take India on fast lane to AIDS
(News Article; Asia)
27 Nov 2005
The Observer
India's lorry drivers carry more than freight. Their frequent use of young prostitutes is driving the country to the brink of an HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Imperial receives Gates Foundation grant to develop new tests for managing AIDS treatment in developing countries
(Press Release; Global)
22 Nov 2005
Innovations Report
Imperial College London has received a £4.9 ($8.6) million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a simple, affordable, and rapid test to measure the health of the immune system in HIV/AIDS patients in developing countries.
Over 100 billion VND for HIV/AIDS prevention
(News Article; Asia)
24 Nov 2005
Nhan Dan
The Vietnamese government plans to earmark VND 105 billion in the 2006 national budget for HIV/AIDS prevention.
VN Pledges to bring HIV/AIDS below 0.3% by 2010
(News Article; Asia)
23 Nov 2005
VietNamNet
Vietnam hopes to bring HIV/AIDS down to 0.3% by 2010 and continue reducing it steadily, said public health presenters at the ASEM conference on HIV/AIDS control.
Sierra Leone has 1.5% HIV/AIDS prevalence
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
23 Nov 2005
Awareness Times
Nimba Research Consultancy, a Ghanaian researching firm that was contracted by the World Bank early this year to conduct the HIV Sero Prevalence Survey in Sierra Leone, revealed its findings, putting Sierra Leone at a 1.53% HIV prevalence rate.
Medics alarmed about growing number of HIV/AIDS infected persons
(News Article; Asia)
23 Nov 2005
Kazinform
Medics in Kazakhstan are alarmed about the growth of the number of HIV/AIDS infected people.
One in three HIV infections remain undiagnosed in the UK
(News Article; Europe)
24 Nov 2005
Aidsmap
One in three of all HIV cases in the United Kingdom remained undiagnosed in 2004, up from around one in four in 2003, according to data released from the Health Protection Agency (HPA). The HPA's annual report, Mapping the Issues, says that of the estimated 58,300 people living with HIV in the United Kingdom at the end of 2004, 38,600 had been diagnosed and approximately 19,700 were unaware of their infection.
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH
Challenges for the adoption of evidence-based maternity care in Turkey
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Europe)
Social Science & Medicine. Online access November 14, 2005.
Turana JM | Bulutb A | Nalbantb H | Ortaylýb H | Erbaydar T
This study documents the current state of obstetric practices at three maternity hospitals in Istanbul, Turkey, and identifies attitudes, social pressures, and perceptions that, according to the theory of planned behavior, may pose challenges for adoption of evidence-based practices. Practices that did not follow current guidelines included routine episiotomy, not allowing companionship during labor, use of procedures to speed up labor without indications, routine enema, restriction of mobility, restriction of oral fluids, supine position for delivery, and non-use of active management of the third stage of labor. The findings indicate that providers had negative attitudes about some recommended practices, while they had positive attitudes towards some ineffective and/or harmful practices.
Breast and complementary feeding practices in relation to morbidity and growth in Malawian infants
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Online access November 23, 2005.
Kalanda BF | Verhoeff FH | Brabin BJ
The objective of this study was to compare growth, morbidity incidence, and risk factors for undernutrition between infants receiving complementary feeding early, before 3 months of age, with those receiving complementary foods after 3 months in a poor rural Malawian community. Early complementary feeding was significantly associated with increased risk for respiratory infection, and marginally increased risk for eye infection and episodes of malaria. Maternal illiteracy was associated with early complementary feeding, while later complementary feeding was associated with reduced infant morbidity and improved growth.
Kaqchikel midwives, home births, and emergency obstetric referrals in Guatemala: contextualizing the choice to stay at home
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Central America and the Caribbean)
Social Science & Medicine. Online access October 11, 2005.
Berry NS
This article examines how a model of referral functions in Sololá, Guatemala, where most Kaqchikel Mayan women give birth at home with a traditional midwife, and no skilled biomedical attendant is available at the birth to make a referral. Ethnographic data is used to explore reasons why women do not go to the hospital at the first sign of difficulty. The author argues that the problem frequently is not that Mayan midwives, their clients, and families fail to understand the biomedical information about dangers in birth, but rather that this information fails to fit into an already existing social system of understanding birth and birth-related knowledge.
Husbands’ and wives’ reports of women's decision-making power in Western Guatemala and their effects on preventive health behaviors
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Central America and the Caribbean)
Social Science & Medicine. Online access November 22, 2005.
Beckera S | Fonseca-Beckerb F | Schenck-Yglesias C
This paper assesses husband and wife reports of decision-making on four matters (whether or not to buy household items; what to do if a child becomes ill; whether or not to buy medicine for a family member who is ill; what to do if a pregnant women becomes very ill) and the relationship of these reports to three recent health behaviors (having an emergency plan during pregnancy; delivering in a health facility; having a postpartum checkup within 4 weeks). A sample of 1,000 women in 53 communities in three departments of western Guatemala was selected using a stratified random sampling approach. Husbands of interviewed women were interviewed in every other household. Consistent with other research, results show that relative to their husbands’ report, wives tend to under-report their household decision-making power.
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NEWS
Congo: National plan to curb maternal mortality established
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
22 Nov 2005
Integrated Regional Information Networks
The government of the Republic of Congo, with the support of UN agencies, has put in place a national plan to curb maternal mortality.
MEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH
Men's involvement in the South African family: engendering change in the AIDS era
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Social Science & Medicine. Online access November 21, 2005.
Montgomerya CM | Hosegooda V | Buszaa J | Timæus IM
This paper examines data collected over two and a half years from a small sample of households affected by HIV/AIDS in rural KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Non-participant observations were made during outreach visits by research staff to 20 households caring for at least one adult with disease symptoms indicative of TB or AIDS. Researchers found that men are positively involved with their families and households in a wide range of ways. They care for patients and children, financially support immediate and extended family members, and are present at home, thereby enabling women to work or support other households. As the qualitative data demonstrate, however, such activities are often not acknowledged. The dominant perception of both female respondents and research assistants continues to be that men are not caring for their families because they are irresponsible and profligate.
Reported condom use and condom use difficulties in street outreach samples of men of four racial and ethnic backgrounds
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; North America)
International Journal of STD & AIDS. 2005 Nov;16(11):739-743.
Essien EJ | Ross MW | Fernández-Esquer ME | Williams ML
Researchers report on the results of a study that examined the association between condom use and partnership types among men from four major racial/ethnic groups. Self-reported data on sexual identity (homosexual, bisexual, and heterosexual) and condom use in the past 3 months were collected from 806 African Americans, Hispanic, Asian, and white men in public places in Houston, TX. Data indicated that condom use was lowest in African Americans and Hispanic men, bisexual men reported the highest levels of use, with heterosexual men reporting the lowest use.
Male sex workers in Antwerp, Belgium: a descriptive study
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Europe)
International Journal of STD & AIDS. 2005 Nov;16(11):744-748.
Leuridan E | Wouters K | Stalpaert M | Van Damme P
This study describes the prevalence of STIs and sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics in a population of male sex workers (MSW) in Antwerp, Belgium. Sera were collected from 121 men, urine samples from 115 men, and a questionnaire was filled in by 43 MSW. In 45.5% of MSW one or more STI were diagnosed (including hepatitis B), 76% on laboratory testing at first screening, 9% through symptomatology at first visit. The prevalence of HIV was 10.8%, hepatitis B virus infection 28.9%, syphilis 12.5%, gonorrhoea 1.7%, and Chlamydia trachomatis 9.7%.
POPULATION RESEARCH
Socio-demographic and epidemiological characteristics associated with human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) infection in HIV-1-explosed but uninfected individuals, and in HIV-1-infected patients from a southern brasilian population
(Research Article; South America)
Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo. 2005 Sep/Oct;47(5):239-246.
Reiche EMV | Bonametti AM | Watanabe MAE | Morimoto HK | Morimoto AA | Wiechmann SL | Breganó JW | Matsuo T | Reiche FV
This cross-sectional study describes the socio-demographic and epidemiological characteristics associated with HIV-1 infection in 1,061 subjects in Brazil.
Predicting epidemics on directed contact networks
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Journal of Theoretical Biology. Online access November 21, 2005.
Meyersa LA | Newmanb MEJ | Pourbohloul B
The authors use methods from percolation theory to develop a mathematical framework for predicting disease transmission through semi-directed contact networks in which some contacts are undirected (the probability of transmission is symmetric between individuals) and others are directed (transmission is possible only in one direction). They find that the probability of an epidemic and the expected fraction of a population infected during an epidemic can be different in semi-directed networks, in contrast to the routine assumption that these two quantities are equal.
Five period measures of longevity
(Research Article; Global)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
Demographic Research. 2005 Nov 22;13:547-558.
Bongaarts J
This study provides a summary of recently proposed alternatives period measures of "longevity" and assesses whether empirical differences between these measures are consistent with predictions from analytic studies. Particular attention is given to the tempo effect.
POPULATION NEWS
Brazilian birth rate is steady as population ages
(News Article; South America)
28 Nov 2005
Agencia Brasil
Brazil's birth rate began falling in the mid-1960s, dropped steadily for over two decades, and is now more or less stable. The 2004 Household Survey by the government statistical bureau found that the rate has been 2.1 children per woman for the last 2 years.
Birthrate decline clouds Europe's future
(News Article; Europe)
24 Nov 2005
The Washington Times
The countries of Europe are witnessing an unprecedented decline in birthrates. This "baby bust," analysts warn, will affect economic growth, social-welfare programs, patterns of immigration, and Europe's ability to pull its weight diplomatically, culturally, and militarily in the 21st century.
Demographic crisis poses serious danger to Russia's future
(News Article; Asia)
24 Nov 2005
Pravda
Russians' concerns about their future mirror the real state of things with the national demography.
NZ 'population crisis imminent'
(News Article; Oceania)
23 Nov 2005
The Epoch Times
Demographic experts are concerned predicted population trends could raise serious social issues in New Zealand. Statistics New Zealand figures released last week stated a 4-year high in births with 58,000 live births registered to September 2005. Birth rates had been declining throughout the 1990s from 60,000 to hit a 15-year low of 54,000 in 2002, and rising since then.
WOMEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH
WHO multi-country study on women's health and domestic violence against women
(Report; Global)
World Health Organization, 2005.
Related Press Release: Landmark study on domestic violence
Related News Article: Women 'face worst abuse at home'
A new international study of domestic violence says it is the most common form of violence against women. The study by the World Health Organization surveyed 24,000 women in 10 countries, among them Japan and Brazil, Ethiopia, and Bangladesh. It found that one in six women had suffered abuse, and that violence was more prevalent in poorer countries. It also found that women in poorer countries were more likely to think the violence was justified.
Use of lemon or lime juice douches in women in Jos, Nigeria
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Sexual Health. 2005;2(4):237–239.
Imade GE | Sagay AS | Onwuliri VA | Egah DZ | Potts M | Short RV
A total of 300 sexually active women comprising 200 FSWs and 100 FPCs were interviewed in June 2004 to determine the mode and rationale for the use of lemon/lime juice for sex. Most women, both family planning clients and female sex workers, used vaginal lemon/lime douches. Over half of the women believed that it protected them from pregnancy and/or STIs; they did not know their HIV status. The researchers say there is an urgent need to determine whether or not this practice promotes or prevents HIV infection.
The promise of global cervical-cancer prevention
(Commentary; Global)
The New England Journal of Medicine. 2005 Nov 17;353(20):2101-2104.
Schiffman M | Castle P
The important conclusion of this article, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, is that within a few years, there will be multiple tools not only to improve cervical-cancer screening, but also to restrict the spread of its viral cause. Because it is feasible to prevent cervical cancer and to avert the suffering it causes so many women and their families, cervical cancer deserves to be a high priority among global efforts to prevent cancer.
Changing a harmful social convention: female genital mutilation/cutting
(Report; Global)
Florence, Italy, UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, 2005.
Related News Article: 3 million girls still undergo genital cutting, but change is possible: UN report
Related Feature Article: Somalia: community involvement key to ending FGM in Somalia - UNICEF
This Innocenti Digest (UNICEF) examines the prevalence of FGM/C and its social dynamics. It provides an explanation as to why the practice persists and of the elements necessary for its abandonment. It also takes stock of progress to date, identifies what works and what does not, and provides direction regarding the most successful strategies to promote the abandonment of FGM/C. Combining concrete field experience with tested academic theory, the Digest provides a practical tool to bring about positive change for girls and women.
Female sex workers as health educators with men who buy sex: utilising narratives of rationalisations
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global | Europe)
Social Science & Medicine. Online access November 21, 2005.
Sanders T
This paper reports on findings from an ethnographic study of female sex workers who work in the indoor sex markets in a British city. Fifty-five respondents who took part in in-depth interviews maintained that prostitution is a useful occupation and function in society. Narratives included providing emotional support to male clients; a service for men who are socially or physically disabled; preventing men having adulterous affairs; and health education, disease prevention, and as therapists for sexual dysfunction. This paper evaluates how the latter narrative of sexual health promotion is an example of how sex workers are ideally placed to work as health educators with men who buy sex.
Attitudes toward the discontinuation of female genital cutting among men and women in Guinea
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. Online access November 2, 2005.
Gagea AJ | Van Rossem R
Researchers used data from structured interviews of men aged 15–59 and women aged 15–49 years in the 1999 Demographic and Health Survey and multiple logistic regression methods to examine the relationship of socioeconomic factors and gender to attitudinal support for the discontinuation of FGC. More than 9 out of 10 women had undergone FGC. Attitudinal support for FGC discontinuation was more prevalent among men than women.
WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
(Press Release; Global)
25 Nov 2005
UNFPA
This press release is a message given by Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of the UNFPA, for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
UK: New poll finds a third of people believe women who flirt partially responsible for being raped
(Press Release; Europe)
21 Nov 2005
Amnesty International UK
Related Commentary: Rape surveys: a reality gap
Related News Article: Women 'get blame for being raped'
A new ICM opinion poll commissioned by Amnesty International indicates that a third (34%) of people in the UK believe that a woman is partially or totally responsible for being raped if she has behaved in a flirtatious manner. A commentator notes that the distinction between bad sex and rape is being blurred - with sex that was reluctant or just regretted being increasingly defined as rape. This confuses the situation, and does nothing to help the plight of real rape victims.
Female condom supply would save lives now
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
27 Nov 2005
The Sunday Independent
In a country of 40.5% unemployment, few can afford to buy condoms. This either means that South African men need to cut back dramatically on their sex lives or that campaigns promoting safe sex are hypocritical. The situation is worse for women. The department of health revealed that "more than 1.4 million female condoms were distributed in 2003". There are about 24 million women; basic math shows that 1.4 million female condoms among 24 million women means they should have sex only once every 4 to 5 years, because the department is distributing 0.058 condoms for each woman.
YOUTH HEALTH RESEARCH
AIDS education for Tanzanian youth: a mediation analysis
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Health Education Research. Online access November 22, 2005.
Stigler MH | Kugler KC | Komro KA | Leshabari MT | Klepp KI
This paper presents the results of a mediation analysis of Ngao, an AIDS education program that was implemented with school children in Grades 6 and 7 in Tanzania in the mid-1990s and evaluated using a controlled, group-randomized trial. Results indicate that increasing exposure to AIDS information and increasing knowledge about HIV transmission/prevention were significant mediators of the intervention's effect on alleviating the stigma associated with people living with AIDS. Moreover, encouraging more restrictive social norms about sexual intercourse was a significant mediator of the intervention's effect on decreasing students' intentions to be sexually active in the near future.
General practitioners' competence and confidentiality determinations with a minor who requests the oral contraceptive pill
(Abstract; Oceania)
Journal of Law and Medicine. 2005 Nov;13(2):191-203.
Bartholomew TP | Carvalho T
This study explored general practitioners' competence and confidentiality decisions with a hypothetical 14-year-old patient who requests the oral contraceptive pill (OCP). Questionnaires were sent to 1,000 Victorian general practitioners, 305 of whom responded. General practitioners were asked to determine whether "Liz" was competent to request the OCP and whether they would maintain her confidentiality. A total of 81% of respondents found the patient competent, while 91% would have maintained her confidentiality. Results indicate that the majority of general practitioners used rationales that generally did not conform to current legal principles when making competence and confidentiality determinations regarding this patient.
YOUTH HEALTH NEWS
Prostar HIV/AIDS programme fails to reach target
(News Article; Asia)
28 Nov 2005
New Strait Times
The Malaysian government’s Prostar HIV/AIDS program has failed to reach the young Malaysians it was designed to help.
Nearly 50 states miss U.N. goal on girls' schooling
(News Article; Global)
25 Nov 2005
Reuters
Nearly 50 countries, most of them in sub-Saharan Africa, will miss an end of the year deadline to have as many girls as boys in primary and secondary education.
Calendar of Events
February 13, 2006 - February 18, 20062nd Short Course on Design & Evaluation of Behaviour Change Programmes in Reproductive & Sexual Health
The 2nd Short Course, like the first one last year, aims to address the critical gap between theory and practice in Reproductive and Sexual Health (RSH) behavior change interventions. The course objective is to build the capacity of program managers and monitoring & evaluation staff by enabling them to adopt a systematic approach to both design and evaluation of behavior change programs in RSH. Built on the foundations of the 1st Short Course in which 22 participants from six South & Southeast Asian countries participated, the 2nd Short Course will use a combination of structured and participatory sessions with ample opportunity to reinforce learning through practical case studies.
Event Location: Kolkata, India
February 23, 2006 - February 25, 2006
9th Annual Convention of INN (Indian Network of NGOs on HIV/AIDS)
The 9th National Convention of INN (Indian Network of NGOs on HIV/AIDS, a collective of more than 400 NGOs nationwide, will be on the theme of "Repositioning HIV/AIDS/Awareness and Control: Impact of newly emerging issues".
Contact's Name: Dr. Radium Bhattacharya / E-Mail: inn94@icenet.net
Event Location: Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
March 20, 2006 - March 30, 2006
Accelerating Progress towards the Health MDGs and other Health Outcomes
This two week course targets key actors involved in achieving health outcomes. It provides state of the art knowledge on what works at the household level, as well as what works inside and outside the health sector. The course will share tools and knowledge of reforms, the role of government, essential public health functions and new finance modalities in order to empower participants to become effective agents of change. In addition to lectures, the course uses case based learning techniques to help participants design and implement programs that put this knowledge to use. It employs adult learning techniques, such as interactive group work, debate and action learning.
Contact's Name: Shenna Ross / E-Mail: sross1@worldbank.org
Event Location: Washington, DC
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