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The Pop Reporter®

Volume 6, Number 2
16 January 2006

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

Seeking conception: experiences of urban Indian women with in vitro fertilisation
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Asia)
Patient Education and Counseling . 2005 Dec;59(3):226-233.
Widge A
This paper reports on a study of involuntarily childless Indian women/couples seeking in vitro fertilization (IVF). The focus is on the social context of infertility and on women's perceptions of and experiences with IVF. In-depth interviews revealed that infertility is deeply feared, women's status and security are affected, and they experience stigmatization and isolation. IVF was pursued after less intrusive avenues had been exhausted. Inadequate information/counselling is provided, success rates are low, IVF is commercialized and the process is physiologically, emotionally, and financially stressful.



Sexually transmitted infections in Saudi Arabia
(Research Article; Middle East)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
BMC Infectious Diseases. 2006;6(1)
Madani TA
This case series descriptive study describes the results of a 5-year surveillance for STIs. The authors concluded that even though the incidence of STIs is limited, appropriate preventive strategies that conform to Islamic rules and values are essential and should be of highest priority for policymakers because of the potential of such infections to spread, particularly among youth.



Unplanned pregnancy: does past experience influence the use of a contraceptive method?
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; North America)
Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2006 Jan;107(1):121-127.
Matteson KA | Peipert JF | Allsworth J | Phipps MG | Redding CA
This study investigated whether women between the ages of 14 and 25 years with a past unplanned pregnancy were more likely to use a contraceptive method compared with women without a history of unplanned pregnancy. Several factors were associated with both unplanned pregnancy and overall contraceptive method use in this population. However, a past unplanned pregnancy was not associated with overall contraceptive method usage.



Migration and the diffusion of modern contraceptive knowledge and use in rural Guatemala
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Central America and the Caribbean)
Studies in Family Planning. 2005 Dec;36(4):277-288.
Lindstrom DP | Munoz-Franco E
This article uses the concept of social networks as it is employed in the research literature on family planning and migration to explore the impact of out-migration on modern contraceptive knowledge and use in rural Guatemala. Results indicate that urban migration experience, having migrant kin in urban or international destinations, and living in a community where urban migration is common are all associated with greater contraceptive knowledge. Social ties to urban or international migrants are also associated with a greater likelihood of modern contraceptive use among married women, but this association works primarily through increased contraceptive knowledge.



Ruling out pregnancy among family planning clients: the impact of a checklist in three countries
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Central America and the Caribbean | Sub-Saharan Africa)
Studies in Family Planning. 2005 Dec;36(4):311-315.
Stanback J | Diabate F | Dieng T | de Morales TD | Cummings S | Traore M
Researchers in Guatemala, Mali, and Senegal conducted operations research to determine whether a simple, replicable introduction of this checklist improved access to contraceptive services by reducing the proportion of clients denied services. Among new family planning clients, denial of the desired method due to menstrual status decreased significantly from 16% to 2% in Guatemala and from 11% to 6% in Senegal. In Mali, denial rates were essentially unchanged, but they were low from the start. Where denial of services to nonmenstruating family planning clients was a problem, introduction of the pregnancy checklist significantly reduced denial rates. This simple, inexpensive job aid improves women's access to essential family planning services.



The dilemma of past success: insiders' views on the future of the international family planning movement
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Studies in Family Planning. 2005 Dec;36(4):263-276.
Blanc AK | Tsui AO
Researchers used interviews and focus-group discussions with insiders in the field of population studies to examine current perspectives on the status and future of the family planning movement, factors contributing to its declining international visibility, and possible responses from the family planning field. Informants cited four possible courses of action for the movement: (1) forming strategic alliances with other movements, specifically HIV/AIDS prevention; (2) redefining the family planning message to mobilize and strengthen support; (3) improving service delivery to broaden public acceptance and contraceptive method use; and (4) nurturing new leadership.

FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH NEWS

EC pumps K540m in reproductive health
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
13 Jan 2006
Daily Times (Malawi)
The European Commission has pumped over K540 million in the fight against HIV/AIDS and STDs by strengthening sexual and reproductive health systems.



Tanzania: Catholic bishops reject school syllabus over condoms
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
13 Jan 2006
Catholic Information Service for Africa
Catholic bishops have condemned as "unacceptable" a new science syllabus for primary schools that incorporates the teaching of proper condom use.



Colombia plans teenage condom law
(News Article; South America)
11 Jan 2006
BBC
Colombian teenagers could be forced to carry condoms in an effort to stop unwanted pregnancies and STDs. The man proposing the scheme says people over the age of 14 in the town of Tulua should carry condoms, just as they carry ID cards, or face a fine.

FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH LAW AND POLICY

No-cost childbirth mulled to boost population
(News Article; Asia)
14 Jan 2006
The Japan Times
The government of Japan will consider introducing a system to bear all direct costs for childbirth, including hospitalization for mothers, in a bid to encourage young couples to have more kids, a government minister said.

HIV/AIDS RESEARCH

AIDS related knowledge, attitudes, and professional preparation among social work students in India
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Asia)
Social Work in Health Care. 2005 Dec;42(2):93-113.
Sachdev P
Three-hundred and eighty-five social work students enrolled in 11 colleges in India were surveyed about their AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and professional preparation. Overall, the students demonstrated a moderate degree of knowledge about HIV/AIDS. However, they were generally unconcerned about the contagion. Three-fourths admitted to their lack of competence to deal with HIV+ patients. Regression analyses identified the positive effect of AIDS knowledge in combination with variables 'actual contact with AIDS patients' and 'sense of competence' on attitude toward PHWA. The paper discusses a curriculum strategy aimed at gender sensitive content and recommends behavior change as the best approach to reverse the tide of the contagion.



The economic impact of AIDS treatment: labor supply in western Kenya
(Working Paper; Sub-Saharan Africa)
National Bureau of Economic Research, December 2005. (Working Paper No. 11871)
Thirumurthy H | Graff-Zivin J | Goldstein M
Using longitudinal survey data collected in collaboration with a treatment program, this paper is the first to estimate the economic impacts of antiretroviral treatment in Africa. The responses in two important outcomes are studied: (1) labor supply of adult AIDS patients receiving treatment; and (2) labor supply of children and adults living in the patients' households.



Improving adherence to antiretroviral therapy
(Research Article; Asia)
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology. 2005 Sep-Oct;71(5):316-320.
Nischal KC | Khopkar U | Saple DG
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed HIV infection into a treatable, chronic condition. Adherence to the regimen is essential for successful treatment and sustained viral control. Studies have indicated that at least 95% adherence to ART regimens is optimal. It has been demonstrated that a 10% higher level of adherence results in a 21% reduction in disease progression. The various factors affecting success of ART are social aspects like motivation to begin therapy, ability to adhere to therapy, lifestyle pattern, financial support, family support, pros and cons of starting therapy and pharmacological aspects like tolerability of the regimen, availability of the drugs. Also, the regimen's pill burden, dosing frequency, food requirements, convenience, toxicity and drug interaction profile compared with other regimens are to be considered before starting ART.



A pilot study of the NGO–based relational intervention model for HIV prevention among drug users in China
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Asia)
AIDS Education and Prevention. 2005 Dec;17(6):503-514.
Chen HT | Liao Q
This article (a) briefly discusses the HIV epidemic in China, (b) explains why Chinese NGOs need to join the fight against the epidemic, (c) describes the development of an indigenous culture-based model for use by NGOs to prevent HIV among injection drug users, and (d) discusses a Chinese NGO's experience in piloting the model. Data from the pilot study indicate that the model was successful in increasing knowledge about HIV/AIDS, increasing condom use, and decreasing needle and syringe sharing among a sample of female injection drug users.



Removing barriers to knowing HIV status: same-day mobile HIV testing in Zimbabwe
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. 2006 Feb 1;41(2):218-224.
Morin SF | Khumalo-Sakutukwa G | Charlebois ED | Routh J | Fritz K | Lane T | Vaki T | Fiamma A | Coates TJ
This study aimed to (1) describe those using a mobile HIV voluntary counseling testing (VCT) service, (2) assess the acceptability of such services, (3) assess reasons for not testing previously, and (4) compare those who used the services with those who did not to determine how to increase acceptability. Results showed same-day HIV testing in community settings to be acceptable in sub-Saharan Africa. Barriers to HIV testing were often logistic and can be overcome with community-based strategies.

HIV/AIDS NEWS

S.African gay men banned from giving blood
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
13 Jan 2006
Reuters
South Africa's blood donor service has banned blood from sexually active homosexual men due to an increased risk of HIV, drawing ire from gay activists.



Indian school adds HIV/AIDS programs course
(News Article; Asia)
14 Jan 2006
The China Post
India's best known business school, the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmadabad, has introduced a short course on managing HIV/AIDS programs for health professionals.



Pakistan starts HIV treatment programme
(News Article; Asia)
British Medical Journal. 2006 Jan 7;332(10)
Yusufzai A
Authorities in Pakistan have begun a 3 year antiretroviral treatment program, for which drugs are being imported from India. Four treatment centers have been set up—in Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore, and Karachi. The program aims to provide treatment to 8,000 infected people at the five sites and will only be available to patients at public sector hospitals.



Latin America discusses universal access to anti-AIDS medication
(News Article; Central America and the Caribbean | South America)
12 Jan 2006
Agencia Brasil
Representatives of 19 Latin American nations recently held a meeting to discuss common strategies on access to medicines needed to fight AIDS and other STDs.



Thailand, China to launch herbal drug for people with HIV
(News Article; Asia)
11 Jan 2006
Forbes
Thailand and China are set to release a herbal drug which they claim can strengthen the immune systems of people with HIV and help control the virus.



Bill Clinton announces HIV/AIDS drug initiative
(News Article; Global)
13 Jan 2006
Reuters
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton recently announced an initiative with nine drug companies he said would cut the cost of HIV/AIDS testing and treatment in 50 developing countries and help save hundreds of thousands of lives.



South African HIV/AIDS numbers tally
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
16 Jan 2006
SABC News
Related News Article: SA 'lacks data' on HIV/Aids among gay men
Two studies broadly agree for the first time on the number of people infected with HIV/Aids in South Africa, according to the Science and Development Network website. In the past, South African studies focusing on HIV/AIDS infection rates have produced widely divergent figures. The studies were released independently by two of the country's major research bodies. Both suggest a deepening crisis, with about one in nine South Africans infected with HIV.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH

Reduction of mother-to-child transmission of HIV at Saint Camille Medical Centre in Burkina Faso
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Journal of Medical Virology. 2006 Feb;78(2):148-152.
Simpore J | Pietra V | Savadogo A | Pignatelli S | Nikiema JB | Nadembega WM | Yara J | Zoungrana N | Bakouan D | Colizzi V | Castelli F | Musumeci S
Women with less than 32 weeks of amenorrhea received voluntary counseling and testing at Saint Camille Medical Center. Following informed consent and pre-test counseling, HIV screening was performed. According to the prevention protocol, HIV-positive women received a single dose of Nevirapine (200 mg) during their labor, while their newborn received a single dose of Nevirapine (2 mg/kg) within 72 hours from birth. Findings show that there was no statistically significant difference between the mortality of artificially fed and breast-fed children. There was also no significant difference between the mortality rate of artificially and that of breast-fed children. Although the HIV prevention program reduced significantly the vertical transmission of HIV at Saint Camille Medical Center, the mortality of artificially fed children was still high due to gastrointestinal diseases.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NEWS

The maternal brain
(Feature Article; Global)
Scientific American. 13 Jan 2006
New research indicates that the dramatic hormonal fluctuations that occur during pregnancy, birth, and lactation may remodel the female brain, increasing the size of neurons in some regions and producing structural changes in others.

MEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH

HIV voluntary counseling and testing and HIV incidence in male injecting drug users in northern Thailand: evidence of an urgent need for HIV prevention
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Asia)
Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. 2006 Feb 1;41(2):186-193.
Kawichai S | Celentano DD | Vongchak T | Beyrer C | Suriyanon V | Razak MH | Srirak N | Rungruengthanakit K | Jittiwutikarn J
This study assessed factors associated with HIV testing, its uptake, and estimates of HIV incidence after HIV testing among male northern Thai injecting drug users (IDUs) admitted for inpatient drug treatment. Factors associated with prior HIV testing included higher education and having more than one lifetime sex partner. Needle sharing was not associated with prior HIV testing. Of the 298 men with a prior test, 80% reported a negative result on their last prior HIV test, of whom 28% tested positive in our study, leading to an estimated incidence rate of 10.2 per 100 person-years.

MEN'S HEALTH NEWS

Protests mount in India over arrest of gay men
(News Article; Asia)
12 Jan 2006
Reuters
Gay activists held a rare and noisy protest in the Indian capital of Delhi demanding the release of four men arrested for homosexuality and running an online gay club. Homsexuality is banned in India under a 19th century law but is prevalent undercover. Meanwhile, human rights and anti-AIDS groups have slammed the arrests, saying such discrimination will hurt the fight against HIV/AIDS.

POPULATION NEWS

Korea to spend W19.3tr to boost low birthrate
(News Article; Asia)
16 Jan 2006
The Korea Herald
The government said yesterday it plans to invest 19.3 trillion won ($19.3 billion) by 2010 in a package of measures to boost the nation's fertility rate.



The ten million baby girls lost to the ultrasound generation
(News Article; Asia)
10 Jan 2006
Times Onine
According to a study published in The Lancet, more than 10 million female foetuses may have been aborted in India in the past 20 years after gender checks.



Incredible shrinking countries
(Feature Article; Global)
5 Jan 2006
The Economist
Rich countries' populations are beginning to shrink, but that's not necessarily bad news, according to this article from The Economist.



Chechen acting premier calls for promoting polygamy
(News Article; Asia)
13 Jan 2006
Itar-Tass
Chechen acting premier Ramzan Kadyrov has called for the promotion of polygamy in Chechnya. "That does not mean that we will change the republican laws. We will simply create conditions," Kadyrov said on the NTV television channel on Friday. He said the Chechen president and parliament had supported the idea. "We will develop the traditions of our ancestors," Kadyrov said. Every Chechen man can have up to four wives if he is able to support them.

WOMEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH

Effects of long-term use of Nonoxynol-9 on vaginal flora
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2006 Jan;170(1):136-143.
Schreiber CA | Meyn LA | Creinin MD | Barnhart KT | Hillier SL
This study examined the effects of nonoxynol-9 on the vaginal ecology. Results demonstrated that most nonoxynol-9 users experienced minimal disruptions in their vaginal ecology. There were no differences between the different formulations evaluated with respect to changes in vaginal microflora. However, independent of the nonoxynol-9 formulation, there was a dose-dependent effect with increased exposure to nonoxynol-9 on the risk of bacterial vaginosis and its associated flora.



Factors associated with spousal physical violence against women in Bangladesh
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Asia)
Studies in Family Planning. 2005 Dec;36(4):289-300.
Naved RT | Persson LA
This study explores factors associated with domestic violence in urban and rural Bangladesh. Findings revealed that in both residential areas, dowry or other demands in marriage and a history of abuse of the husband's mother by his father increased the risk of violence. Better spousal communication and husband's education beyond the tenth grade decreased the risk of violence. In the urban area, women's being younger than their husband and participating in savings and credit groups increased the risk of abuse, whereas husband's education beyond the sixth grade had a protective effect. In the rural area, women's earning an income increased the risk.

WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS

Tsunami aid maroons Thai sex workers
(Feature Article; Asia)
8 Jan 2006
Women's E-News
After the tsunami, Thailand's sex workers say they were shunned by most relief efforts, even though they pitched in to help with the immediate recovery effort. One advocacy group proved the exception and opened its doors to them.



HIV rising in young city women
(News Article; Asia)
11 Jan 2006
Daily News & Analysis Mumbai
Young Indian women in urban cities are contracting HIV at a faster rate than in the past 3 years. The culprits are their partners, whose affliction is going undetected and untreated. A concern is that most of these women and their partners are educated and have completed the 10th grade. This poses a challenge to the government to spread awareness about the disease so that people are motivated to abstain from high-risk behavior.

YOUTH HEALTH RESEARCH

Under-five mortality trends in Africa: reconstruction from demographic sample surveys
(Working Paper; Sub-Saharan Africa)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
Calverton, Maryland, ORC Macro, September 2005.
Garenn M | Gakusi E
This study presents a reconstruction of under-five mortality trends derived from data provided by the Demographic and Health Surveys and World Fertility Surveys in sub-Saharan Africa from 1950 to 2000.



Report on the Post-Yokohama Mid-term Review of the East Asia and the Pacific Regional Commitment and Action Plan against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, 8 -10 November 2004, Bangkok
(Report; Asia)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
UNESCAP, December 2005.
Emerging Social Issues Division
From the abstract: "The Regional Commitment and Action Plan of the East Asia and Pacific Region against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children specifically called for a Mid-term Review (MTR) meeting to review the progress of actions taken in the region since the Second World Congress. The meeting was also intended to identify gaps in the implementation of the key areas of action specified in both the Declaration and Agenda for Action adopted at the First World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, held in Stockholm from 27 to 31 August 1996, and the Regional Commitment and Action Plan. The areas specified were those of prevention, protection, recovery and reintegration, coordination and cooperation, and child and youth participation."



Psychosocial correlates of HIV protection motivation among black adolescents in Venda, South Africa
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
AIDS Education and Prevention. 2005 Dec;17(6):590-602.
Boer H | Mashamba MT
This study assessed the usefulness of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and protection motivation theory (PMT) to predict intended condom use among 201 adolescents from Venda, South Africa. The results of this study indicated that social cognition models have some value in the analysis of condom use intention of African adolescents, but the role of other factors like myths about condoms should be further examined.



Improving adolescent sexual risk assessment with event history calendars: a feasibility study
(Research Article; North America)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
Journal of Pediatric Health Care. 2006 Jan-Feb;20(1):19-26.
Martyn KK | Reifsnider E | Murray A
This study evaluated the clinical utility and feasibility of using an Event History Calendar (EHC) for sexual risk assessment. Descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis indicated the EHC is a time-efficient, adolescent-friendly risk assessment tool that facilitates identification and discussion of sexual risk and co-morbid risk behaviors.

YOUTH HEALTH NEWS

Safe-sex message lost on younger audience
(Feature Article; North America)
10 Jan 2006
Metro
Despite intense education programs and overall increased awareness of the dangers surrounding unprotected intercourse, the safe-sex message may be missing its young target audience in Toronto, Canada. Statistics Canada data shows that while approximately 80% of 20- to 24-year-olds report being sexually active, 44% of people in that age category reported having sex without a condom over the past year.



Malawi: Kids say 'no' to HIV/AIDS through TV show
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
13 Jan 2006
Adventist News Network
Just like Sesame Street, a popular educational television show for children in the United States, taught children difficult concepts through puppets and songs, so does the television program Pro-Active Kids. The program, which is sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Malawi, teaches kids about HIV/AIDS.

SPECIAL REPORTS/PROFILES/RESOURCES

World Malaria Report 2005
(Report; Global)
World Health Organization, 2005.
The World Malaria Report 2005 is the first comprehensive effort by the Roll Back Malaria Partnership to take stock of where the world stands in relation to one of its most devastating diseases. It reveals that the tide may be beginning to turn against malaria as control and prevention programmes start to take effect.



Business & HIV/AIDS: a healthier partnership?
(Executive Summary; Global)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
Geneva, Switzerland, World Economic Forum, 2006.
Bloom DE | Bloom LR | Steven D | Weston M
Related News Article: Business leaders urged to fight Aids as part of job
This report provides an overview of business perceptions and responses to HIV/AIDS. It draws on data from three sources: the 2005-2006 Executive Opinion Survey conducted by the World Economic Forum as part of its annual Global Competitiveness Report; case studies of business action on HIV/AIDS developed by the World Economic Forum’s Global Health Initiative; and a survey of US business leaders
commissioned by The Foundation for AIDS Research.

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