Volume 6, Number 18
8 May 2006

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FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RESEARCH

Ovarian cysts in users of Implanon® and Jadelle® subdermal contraceptive implants
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global | South America)
Contraception. 2006 May;73(5):532-536.
Hidalgo MM | Lisondo C | Juliato CT | Espejo-Arce X | Monteiro I | Bahamondes L
This study evaluated the prevalence of ovarian cysts in users of two contraceptive implants compared to users of intrauterine contraceptive (IUC). A total of 344 women were enrolled at 3 months of use of the etonogestrel-releasing implant (Implanon®), the levonorgestrel-releasing implant (Jadelle®) or the TCu380A IUC. Ovarian cysts were detected in 5.2%, 13%, and 1.9% of users of Implanon®, Jadelle® and IUC, respectively, at 3 months. At 6 months of use, prevalence was 7.2%, 8%, and 2.1%, whereas 12-month rates were 26.7%, 14.6% and 1.2% in the three groups, respectively. The authors conclude that the finding of ovarian cysts or enlarged ovarian follicles during the first year of use of Implanon® and Jadelle® implants is common and transient and should not be interpreted as a pathologic ovarian cyst.

FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH NEWS

RP may face sanctions
(News Article; Asia)
4 May 2006
The Manila Times
Human rights and reproductive health rights advocates and experts who attended the First International Conference on Reproductive Health Management at the Westin Philippine Plaza agreed that the national government, including Congress, has failed to comply with international treaties where the Philippines is a signatory, depriving the people quality health care and the right to life and human dignity.

Condom sales on the increase
(News Article; Oceania)
4 May 2006
Fiji Times
Condom sales in Fiji have increased by about 40% as a result of a marketing campaign.

Now nightclubs play it 'safe'
(Feature Article; Asia)
4 May 2006
Daily News and Analysis
An Indian club gives its reasons for putting condoms in the loo.

NuvaRing better tolerated than other hormonal contraceptives - Majority of users report a greater feeling of safety and control over their lives
(News Article; Global)
4 May 2006
PharmaLive
Women who switch to NuvaRing® - the once-a-month contraceptive ring - from other forms of hormonal contraception experience a significant reduction in hormone-related adverse events, according to results from a study involving 900 Spanish women presented at the European Society of Contraception.

Ethiopia seeks to manage wild population growth
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
8 May 2006
Business in Africa
Expressing concern over Ethiopia's uncontrolled population growth, State Health Minister Kebede Worku on Monday called for an integrated approach in addressing health and social needs of adolescents.

Indian company launches female condom
(News Article; Global | Asia)
6 May 2006
Xinhua
Hindustan Latex Ltd (HLL), an Indian state-owned condom manufacturing firm, recently launched Confidom passion rings, the first female condom for practicing safe sex and preventing unwanted pregnancy in India.

FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH LAW AND POLICY

Nonprescription availability of emergency contraception in the United States: current status, controversies, and impact on emergency medicine practice
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global | North America)
Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2006 May;47(5):461-471.
Ranney ML | Gee EM | Merchant RC
In October 2004, the American College of Emergency Physicians Council joined more than 60 other health professional organizations in supporting the nonprescription availability of emergency contraception. This article reviews the history, efficacy, and safety of emergency contraception; the efforts toward making emergency contraception available without a prescription in the United States; the arguments for and against nonprescription availability of emergency contraception; and the potential impact nonprescription availability could have on the practice of emergency medicine in the United States.

Vatican re-examines ban on contraception
(News Article; Global)
3 May 2006
ABC News
A Vatican study on whether it could permit condoms to battle AIDS has a very narrow scope: married Roman Catholic couples in which one partner has the virus. But its theological underpinnings are centuries old and could lay the groundwork for an end to the church's blanket ban on contraception.

China's family planning policy helps prevent 400 million births by 2005
(News Article; Global | Asia)
3 May 2006
Xinhua
The family planning policy has helped China prevent 400 million births by the end of 2005, Zhang Weiqing, minister in charge of the National Population and Family Planning Commission, has said.

German moms get 1yr paid leave
(News Article; Europe)
2 May 2006
News24
The German government said that it had agreed to give women a year's paid maternity leave and their partners 2 months in a bid to boost one of Europe's lowest birth rates. Ronald Pofalla, secretary general of Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats, said it meant that the primary caregiver, normally the mother, would be entitled to 67% of her salary for 12 months. The same rule would then apply to the other parent for 2 more months. Up to now, women had only been entitled to 6 weeks of paid maternity leave.

HIV/AIDS RESEARCH

Utilization of HIV/AIDS treatment services: comparing injecting drug users and other clients
(Research Article; South America)
Cadernos de Saúde Pública. 2006 April;22(4):803-813.
de Melo AC | Caiaffa WT | César CC | Dantas RV | Couttolenc BF
This study compared healthcare utilization by injection drug users (IDUs) and non-IDUs, as part of the "Analysis of Costs and Impact of Antiretroviral Therapy" project sponsored by the Programa Nacional de DST e AIDS (Brazil).

Oral transmission of HIV, reality or fiction? An update
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Oral Diseases. Online access March 27, 2006.
Campo J | Perea MA | del Romero J | Cano J | Hernando V | Bascones A
Researchers present a review of available evidence on the oral–genital transmission of HIV and analyze the factors that act to protect oral tissues from infection, thereby reducing the risk of HIV transmission by oral sex.

Remote consultations and HIV/AIDS continuing education in low-resource settings
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
International Journal of Medical Informatics. Online access May 2, 2006.
Zolfoa M | Lynena L | Dierckxb J | Colebunders R
This paper explores the experiences of a hybrid E-mail/web support telemedicine service created in 2003 at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium, with a discussion forum hosting more than 170 healthcare professionals from 40 different countries.

Model projections on the required coverage of syringe distribution to prevent HIV epidemics among injecting drug users
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. Online access April 24, 2006.
Vickerman P | Hickman M | Rhodes T | Watts C
A mathematical model was developed to explore the relationship between the endemic HIV prevalence among injecting drug users (IDUs) and the coverage of syringe distribution. Data from IDU populations in the United Kingdom and Belarus are used to explore the implications of increasing coverage and the effect of changes in other behaviors. The results of the study support a policy of increasing the coverage of syringe distribution but highlight the difficulty in producing a universal coverage target.

A comparison of HIV positive and negative pregnant women at a public sector hospital in South Africa
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Journal of Clinical Nursing. Online access April 13, 2006.
Bodkin C | Klopper H | Langley G
This study compared HIV-positive and -negative pregnant women with respect to maternal and neonatal outcomes in order to inform the development of clinical practice guidelines. HIV positive pregnant women had considerably higher risk factors than those who were HIV negative. Findings attribute the high rate of HIV/AIDS related maternal morbidity and mortality in South Africa to the absence of accepted and practical guidelines for midwives' antenatal assessment and management of HIV positive pregnant women.

Estimating and projecting HIV prevalence and AIDS deaths in Tanzania using antenatal surveillance data
(Research Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
BMC Public Health. Online access May 3, 2006.
Somi GR | Matee MI | Swai RO | Lyamuya EF | Kilewo J | Kwesigabo G | Tulli T | Kabalimu TK | Lucy N | Isingo R | Ndayongeje J
This paper presents estimates and projections of HIV prevalence, new cases of HIV infections, and AIDS deaths in Tanzania between 2001 and 2010 using the Estimations and Projections Package 2005 and SPECTRUM softwares on antenatal clinic data. The national HIV prevalence increased from 0% in 1981 to a peak of 8.1% in 1995, and gradually decreased to 6.5% in 2004, which stabilized until 2010. The urban HIV epidemic increased from 0% in 1981 peaking at 12.6% in 1992 and leveled to between 10.9% and 11.8% from 2003 to 2010. The rural epidemic peaked in 1995 at 7.0% and gradually declined to 5.2% in 2004, and then stabilized at between 5.1% and 5.3% from 2005 to 2010. New infections are projected to rise steadily, resulting in 250,000 new cases in 2010. Deaths due to AIDS started in 1985 and rose steadily to reach 120,000 deaths in 2010, with more females dying than men.

Marked HIV prevalence declines in higher educated young people: evidence from population-based surveys (1995-2003) in Zambia
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
AIDS. 2006 April;20(7):1031-1038.
Michelo C | Sandoy IF | Fylkesnes K
Findings in this study from Zambia suggest a shift in the association between educational attainment and HIV infection between 1995 and 2003. The most convincing sign was the risk reduction among more educated younger groups where most infections can be assumed to be recent. The changes in older groups are probably largely influenced by differential mortality rates. The stable risk among groups with lower education might also indicate limitations in past preventive efforts.

Assessing effects of a media campaign on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in Nigeria: results from the VISION Project
(Research Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
BMC Public Health. Online access May 3, 2006.
Keating J | Meekers D | Adewuyi A
The VISION Project used a mass media campaign that focused on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS prevention. This paper assesses to what extent program exposure translates into increased awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS. The authors conclude that the VISION Project reached a large portion of the population and exposure to mass media programs about reproductive health and HIV prevention topics can help increase HIV/AIDS awareness. Programs that target rural populations, females, and unmarried individuals, and disseminate information on where to obtain condoms, are needed to reduce barriers to condom use.

HIV/AIDS NEWS

HIV and AIDS under-reported in southern Africa – study
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
5 May 2006
The Herald
Related Report: HIV and AIDS gender baseline study
Incidences of HIV/AIDS in southern Africa are under-reported, the voices of those most affected are least heard, and the gender dimensions of the pandemic are not well reflected, according to a recent report.

Microbicides 2006: what products are in the pipeline?
(Feature Article; Global)
3 May 2006
Aidsmap
Although scientists have identified a great number of ways to disrupt HIV transmission, "the near term pipeline of microbicides ready to enter [early clinical studies] is fairly modest and... needs to be expanded rapidly," Professor Sharon Hillier of the University of Pittsburgh and Magee-Women’s Hospital said at the start of the Microbicides 2006 conference held in Cape Town recently.

Chancroid vaccine may help reduce the transmission of HIV
(News Article; Global)
6 May 2006
RxPG News
Related Abstract; subscription needed for full text: Immunization with the haemophilus ducreyi hemoglobin receptor HgbA protects against infection in the swine model of chancroid
According to findings of a study in the April issue of the journal Infection and Immunity, a vaccine against the STI chancroid might reduce transmission of HIV as much as 10-fold.

Zimbabwe faces AIDS drug shortage
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
3 May 2006
BBC
Zimbabwe is running out of drugs to treat AIDS, the state-run Herald newspaper reports.

PanAfrica: Leaders announce new resolve to combat HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria
(Press Release; Global | Sub-Saharan Africa)
5 May 2006
World Health Organization
A special summit of the 53-nation African Union ended Thursday in Abuja with the adoption of far-reaching decisions to stem the tide of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria (ATM) – three diseases which kill an estimated 4 million Africans every year. The summit adopted the Abuja Call for accelerated action towards universal access to ATM services in Africa, and a resolution to achieve this by 2010. It also adopted an African Common Position to be presented to the High level Meeting of the UN General Assembly (UNGASS) on AIDS in June.

First comprehensive HIV/STI management guidelines now available
(News Article; Global | Europe)
5 May 2006
Aidsmap
The first ever comprehensive set of guidelines for the management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in HIV-positive individuals have been published by the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH). These include an update to the 2002 syphilis guidelines; the management of genital herpes (HSV-2); ano-genital warts, cervical and anal cancer caused the human papilloma virus (HPV); and a discussion of the legal and ethical issues surrounding onward HIV transmission.

Russia could produce anti-HIV drugs in 2007 - health watchdog
(News Article; Global | Asia)
5 May 2006
RIA Novosti
Russia could start producing generic versions of patented antiretroviral drugs for treating HIV as early as next year, the country's health watchdog told a government daily recently.

Lesotho takes HIV test on the road
(News Article; Global | Sub-Saharan Africa)
3 May 2006
Globe and Mail
Teams of people will start going door-to-door across Lesotho next month to give everyone over the age of 12 the chance to have an on-the-spot HIV test.

South Africa: Small clinic at centre of debate over traditional medicine
(Feature Article; Global | Sub-Saharan Africa)
1 May 2006
Integrated Regional Information Networks
Over the past few months, hundreds of people have been streaming into an office building in Pinetown, on the outskirts of South Africa's east coast city of Durban, looking for the clinic that sells ubhejane - a herbal mixture they believe can treat HIV/AIDS.

Global Fund suspends $50 mln AIDS help to Nigeria
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
28 Apr 2006
Reuters
One of the main financiers of Nigeria's fight against HIV/AIDS halted about $50 million in assistance recently because the country failed to meet targets on drug access and transparency.

How AIDS changed America
(Feature Article; Global | North America)
15 May 2006
Newsweek
This feature article reviews the impact of HIV/AIDS on the United States.

Ukraine determined to restore suspended World Bank AIDS credit
(News Article; Europe)
3 May 2006
Kyiv Post
The Ukrainian government hopes to persuade the World Bank to revive a $60 million project on combating HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis that it suspended last month because of Ukraine's sluggish use of the money.

Malawi calls for multifaceted approach to fight AIDS
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
1 May 2006
Xinhua
Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika observed that global efforts to fight HIV/AIDS would be fruitless if emphasis is only placed on the provision of life-prolonging drugs to infected people.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH

Does biofuel smoke contribute to anemia and stunting in early childhood?
(Working Paper; Global | Asia)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
Calverton, MD, MEASURE DHS, March 2006.
Mishra V | Retherford RD
This study examines the association between household use of biofuels (wood, dung, and crop residues) for cooking and heating and the prevalence of anemia and stunting in children. The analysis is based on data from the 1998-99 National family Health Survey in India, which included height, weight, and blood hemoglobin of almost 30,000 children under 3 years old in over 90,000 households. Multilogistic regression was used to assess the effects of biofuel use on anemia and stunting while controlling for ETS, recent episodes of illness, maternal education and nutrition, and other factors. The results of this analysis show that moderate-to-severe anemia and severe stunting were significantly higher among children in households using biofuels than among children in households using cleaner fuels. Effects of biofuel on mild anemia and moderate stunting were smaller, but still positive and statistically significant. This suggests that exposure to biofuel smoke may contribute to chronic nutritional deficiencies in young children.

Can better infrastructure and quality reduce hospital infant mortality rates in Mexico?
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Central America and the Caribbean)
Health Policy. Online access May 2, 2006.
Aguilera N | Marrufo GM
Researchers used probabilistic econometric methods to estimate the impact of material and human resources and hospital quality on the probability that an infant dies controlling for socioeconomic, maternal, and reproductive risk factors. They found that the probability to die is affected by hospital infrastructure and by quality. This paper also presents evidence on the contribution of other risk factors on perinatal mortality rates. Researchers conclude that lower infant mortality rates can be reached by implementing a set of coherent public policy actions including an increase and reorganization of hospital infrastructure, quality improvement, and increasing demand for health by poor families.

The effect of antenatal care on professional assistance at delivery in rural India
(Working Paper; Asia)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
Calverton, MD, MEASURE DHS, March 2006.
Mishra V | Retherford RD
This report examines the relationship between antenatal care and subsequent professional assistance at delivery in India. Using data from India's 1992-92 and 1998-99 National Family Health Surveys, the effect of antenatal care visits on type of assistance at delivery (ranging from no assistance to professional assistance at home to delivery in a medical institution) is estimated through multinomial logistic regression. Demographic, geographic, and socioeconomic factors, as well as pregnancy complications and two measures of access to health facilities, were controlled for. Results show that pregnancy complications and access to health facilities do not have a large effect on assistance at delivery. However, antenatal care has a large effect on assistance at delivery. This effect is stronger in South India than in North India. These results suggest that increased antenatal care coverage can be an effective means of increasing professional assistance at delivery, especially delivery in a medical institution.

Surveillance of HIV and syphilis infections among antenatal clinic attendees in Tanzania-2003/2004
(Research Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
BMC Public Health. Online access April 10, 2006.
Swai RO | Somi GR | Matee MIN | Killewo J | Lyamuya EF | Kwesigabo G | Tulli T | Kabalimu TK | Ng'ang'a L | Isingo R | Ndayongeje J
This paper presents the prevalence of HIV and syphilis infections among women attending antenatal clinics (ANC) in Tanzania obtained during the 2003/2004 ANC surveillance. Of the 17,813 women screened for HIV, 1,545 (8.7%) tested positive, with the highest prevalence in women aged 25-34 years (11%), being higher among single women (9.7%) than married women (8.6%). Of the 17,323 women screened for syphilis, 1,265 (7.3%) were positive, with highest prevalence in the age group 35-49 years (10.4%), being higher among women with no education than those with some education (9.8% versus 6.8%), but marital status had no influence.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NEWS

Nigeria: FG tasked on maternal mortality, morbidity rates
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
5 May 2006
Daily Champion
The federal government of Nigeria has been urged to adopt a three-pronged approach to curb high maternal mortality and morbidity rates caused by the dearth of health facilities and prolonged labor in the country.

MEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH

Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among long-distance truck drivers in Tongling, China
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global | Asia)
International Journal of STD & AIDS. 2006 May;17(5):304-308.
Chen X-S | Yin Y-P | Gong X-D | Liang G-J | Zhang W-Y | Poumerol G | Shi M-Q | Wu S-Q | Zhang G-C
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 550 truck drivers in Tongling of Anhui Province; they were interviewed with a structured questionnaire, and blood samples were collected and tested for HIV, syphilis, and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), and urine specimens for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. Prevalence was 10.6% for C. trachomatis and 8.1% for N. gonorrhoeae. Antibodies for syphilis were found in 0.7% and for HSV-2 in 4.4%. None was positive for HIV. 92 truck drivers (17%) had at least one STI.

Rate, extent, and modifiers of spermatogenic recovery after hormonal male contraception: an integrated analysis
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
The Lancet. 2006 Apr 29;367(9520):1412-1420.
Liu PY | Swerdloff RS | Christenson PD | Handelsman DJ | Wang C | Hormonal Male Contraception Summit group
Researchers investigated the rate, extent, and predictors of reversibility of hormonal male contraception. Results indicate hormonal male contraceptive regimens have full reversibility within a predictable time course. Various covariables affect the rate but not the extent of recovery, although their effect sizes are minor.

HIV-1 target cells in foreskins of African men with varying histories of sexually transmitted infections
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
American Journal of Clinical Pathology. 2006 Mar;125(3):386-391.
Donoval BA | Landay AL | Moses S | Agot K | Ndinya-Achola JO | Nyagaya EA | MacLean I | Bailey RC
This is the first study of human foreskin tissue that examines biologic mechanisms that increase susceptibility of uncircumcised African men to HIV-1. Foreskin specimens from 20 men with and 19 men with no history of STIs were examined for HIV-1 target cells. There were no differences in HIV-1 target cells between men with and those without history of STIs. However, the densities and positions of HIV-1 target cells in the foreskin tissues indicated that the inner mucosal surface of the human foreskin contains cells that make it highly susceptible to HIV infection.

POPULATION RESEARCH

Estimating incidence of HIV infection in childbearing age African women using serial prevalence data from antenatal clinics
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global | Sub-Saharan Africa)
Statistics in Medicine. Online access April 19, 2006.
Sakarovitch C | Alioum A | Ekouevi DK | Msellati P | Leroy V | Dabis F
This paper extends the approach proposed by Ades and Medley, which provided the first flexible method for estimating age- and time-specific HIV incidence using HIV prevalence data collected among pregnant women and adjusting for the effect of differential selection between infected and uninfected women. The method is illustrated using prenatal HIV testing data recorded from 1995 to 2002 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, to estimate the HIV annual incidence rate among women aged 12-40 year old, from the beginning of the epidemic to 2002. The authors show that estimated incidence rates are highly dependent on hypotheses made to model the relative inclusion rate.

POPULATION NEWS

Japan may use matchmaking ads to boost birth rate
(News Article; Asia)
3 May 2006
All Headline News
Concerned with the falling birth rate and rapidly aging population, Japanese policymakers are thinking about allowing TV ads for matchmaking agencies in the hope that an increase in couples will result in more children.

Birth rate tumbles as people party and work
(News Article; Global | Europe)
8 May 2006
ic Wales
Britain's falling birth rate is being driven by a generation of potential parents who would rather get rich and have fun than start a family, according to recent survey findings.

South Korea's birth rate lowest on record
(News Article; Asia)
8 May 2006
TODAYonline
South Korea's birth rate has fallen to its lowest level on record in 2005, sparking concern about a shrinking population and aging society.

China prepares for fourth baby boom
(News Article; Asia)
3 May 2006
Xinhua
Chinese population experts are predicting a mini-baby boom before 2010 as a result of the country's family planning laws.

WOMEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH

The cost-effectiveness of an outreach clinical model in the management and prevention of gonorrhea and chlamydia among chinese female sex workers in Hong Kong
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Asia)
Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2006 April;33(4):220-227.
You JHS | Wong WCW | Sin CW | Woo J
This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of using an outreach approach for treatment and prevention of gonorrhea and chlamydia among female sex workers.

Agreement between women's and providers' assessment of hormonal contraceptive risk factors
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global | North America)
Contraception. 2006 May;73(5):501-506.
Shotorbani S | Miller L | Blough DK | Gardner J
This study measured agreement between a woman's self-administered risk factor questionnaire and their providers' evaluation of their medical eligibility for hormonal contraceptive use. Participants were women 15–45 years old recruited from six public health family planning clinics in the Seattle Metropolitan area. Of 399 participant and provider pairs, participant–provider agreement was obtained for 392 participant pairs. The estimated proportion of the overall agreement was 96%. Women were more likely to report severe headaches (12.4% vs. 3.3%), possible pregnancy (7.3% vs. 3.5%), and smoking (6.2% vs. 2.1%) than providers, but less likely to report smoking more than 15 cigarettes per day (2.6% vs. 9.2%) and irregular menses (6.5% vs. 9.9%). For criteria on which there was disagreement, women were more likely to identify contraindications than were their providers.

Recent use of condoms and emergency contraception by women who selected condoms as their contraceptive method
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global | North America)
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Online access April 27, 2006.
Nelson AL
This study was undertaken to determine how consistently indigent, predominantly Hispanic women (n=248) who had previously selected male condoms as their contraceptive method had used condoms and emergency contraception (EC) during the 2 weeks before their family planning clinic visit and reasons for any nonuse. Overall, 43.8% of sexually active women reported inconsistent condom use during the prior 14 days. Only 39% of women who had not used condoms consistently used EC at least once. The most common reason for nonuse of both condoms (44%) and EC (41%) was that the woman did not perceive that she was at risk.

Post-abortion care and voluntary HIV counselling and testing - an example of integrating HIV prevention into reproductive health services
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Tropical Medicine & International Health. 2006 May;11(5):697-704.
Rasch V | Yambesi F | Massawe S
The authors collected data on socioeconomic characteristics and contraceptive use and determined the HIV status of 706 women who were provided post-abortion contraceptive service and offered voluntary HIV counselling and testing (VCT) after an unsafe abortion. 58% of the women who had an unsafe abortion accepted HIV testing. Women who earned an income were more likely to accept testing than housewives. Women who accepted testing were more likely to accept using a condom. The HIV prevalence rate was 19% among single women aged 20–24 years and 25% among single women aged 25–45 years.

Changing behaviors and patterns among Cambodian sex workers: 1997-2003
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Asia)
Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. Online access April 24, 2006.
Gorbach PM | Sopheab H | Chhorvann C | Weiss RE | Vun MC
This research identified through interviews patterns and behaviors among direct and indirect female sex workers (DFSWs and IDFSWs, respectively) across Cambodia's 5 major cities from 1997 to 2003. From 1997 to 2003, Cambodian direct and indirect sex workers increased their use of condoms each year with commercial as well as noncommercial partners, contributing to the evidence that HIV prevention programs can produce significant changes in risk behaviors.

WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS

Namibia: Sex workers take different road
(Feature Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
5 May 2006
New Era
A group of former prostitutes fed up with the sex trade recently approached the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) with a plea for help. In response, the CCN launched a Home Based Care Training Program that got underway in Windhoek recently.

YOUTH HEALTH RESEARCH

I can use a condom, I just don't: the importance of motivation to prevent HIV in adolescent seeking psychiatric care
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global | North America)
AIDS and Behavior. Online access April 26, 2006.
Mustanski B | Donenberg G | Emerson E
The authors of this study used longitudinal data to test a cognitive-behavioral model of risky sexual behavior among 175, ethnically diverse urban adolescents seeking mental health services in the US. Path analyses of the cross-sectional data revealed that motivation was a strong predictor of behavioral skills and sexual risk taking. The model explained 42% of the variance in sexual risk taking with age included (29% without age). In the longitudinal path analyses, motivation had a significant negative effect on levels of sexual risk taking 6 months later, controlling for information, behavioral skills, age, and baseline levels of sexual risk taking.

The effects of religious affiliation on sexual initiation and condom use in Zambia
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Journal of Adolescent Health. 2006 May;38(5):550-555.
Agha S | Hutchinson P | Kusanthan T
Data from a representative probability sample of 5,534 women aged 13–20 years was analyzed. The instrument included questions on sexual initiation, condom use during first sex, religious affiliation, and sociodemographic characteristics of respondents. Results show that young women affiliated with conservative groups are more likely to delay sexual initiation but less likely to use condoms during first sex.

From trial intervention to scale-up: costs of an adolescent sexual health program in Mwanza, Tanzania
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Online access April 28, 2006.
Terris-Prestholt F | Kumaranayake L | Obasi AIN | Cleophas-Mazige B | Makokha M | Todd J | Ross DA | Hayes RJ
Researchers estimated the annual costs of a multifaceted adolescent sexual health intervention in Mwanza, Tanzania, by input (capital and recurrent), component (in-school, community activities, youth-friendly health services, condom distribution), and phase (development, startup, trial implementation, scale-up). They found that the 3-year economic costs of trial implementation were $879,032, of which ~70% were for the school-based component. Costs of initial development and startup were relatively substantial (~21% of total costs); however, annual costs per school child dropped from $16 in 1999 to $10 in 2001. They conclude that annual costs can reduce by almost 40% as project implementation matures.

YOUTH HEALTH NEWS

Southern Africa: More children going hungry
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
5 May 2006
Integrated Regional Information Networks
Related Report: Progress for children: A report card on nutrition
According to a report released this week by Unicef, the UN children's agency, HIV/AIDS is contributing to continuing high rates of malnutrition among children in Southern African countries.

Ugandan virgins now wait longer, says expert
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
4 May 2006
The New Vision
Many young Africans are losing their virginity later, having fewer sexual partners and using more condoms — signs that the campaign against AIDS is finally hitting home, a world authority on the disease has said.

Young 'still unaware' of STI risk
(News Article; Europe)
7 May 2006
BBC
Too many young people in the UK remain unaware of the risks of HIV and other STIs, a healthcare charity has said.

Sound sex ed in Buenos Aires
(News Article; South America)
3 May 2006
Choice! Magazine
A recent survey of sexually active teenage girls in Argentina uncovered a disturbing fact: one in three did not use contraception the first time they had sex. Their reasons were even more distressing: Thirty-three percent said they didn't use contraception because they didn't know how. Fifteen percent asserted that it is impossible to become pregnant the first time you had sex. And another 33 percent said they did not use protection because their partners asked them not to.

Hoping for syphilis cure, youth try to rape minor
(News Article; Asia)
4 May 2006
Indo Asian News Service
Driven by superstition, two youths in Jharkhand tried to rape a minor thinking it would rid them of a sexually transmitted disease that they had contracted by visiting sex workers.

WHO calls for "special approach" to address needs of children affected by HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria
(Press Release; Global)
3 May 2006
World Health Organization
The burden of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria remains "unacceptably high" in sub-Saharan Africa and a "special approach" is now needed to address the specific needs and challenges of children affected by the three diseases, according to the WHO.

Many youths disregard their virginity pledges, Harvard study says
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global | North America)
7 May 2006
Los Angeles Times
Related Abstract; subscription needed for full text: Reborn a virgin: adolescents' retracting of virginity pledges and sexual histories
Virginity pledges, in which young people vow to abstain from sex until marriage, have little staying power among those who take them, a Harvard study has found. But one pro-abstinence group disputes the findings.

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Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: The INFO Project

Volume 6, Number 18 8 May 2006