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Volume 6, Number 36
11 September 2006
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FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RESEARCH
Menstrual and reproductive factors in relation to risk of endometrial cancer in Chinese women
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Asia)
Cancer Causes and Control. 2006 Sep;17(7):949-955.
Wernli KJ | Ray RM | Gao DL | De Roos AJ | Checkoway H | Thomas DB
Menstrual, reproductive and contraceptive factors have been associated with risk of endometrial cancer in some populations. To investigate associations between these factors in a low-risk population with a low prevalence of hormone replacement therapy, the authors conducted a cohort study among 267,400 women employed in the textile industry in Shanghai, China. Menstrual, reproductive and other factors were ascertained at baseline in 1989–1991, and women were followed for incident endometrial cancer through 31 December 1998. Risk of endometrial cancer decreased with increasing age at menarche. Among menopausal women, risk increased with age at menopause and increasing years of menstruation.
FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH NEWS
India: Womb for sale @ Rs 2 lakhs!
(News Article; Asia)
5 Sep 2006
Times of India
India is slowly turning into the surrogacy outsourcing capital of the world. With the infertility rates increasing abroad, foreigners are coming to India for its genes, its absolute lack of laws on surrogacy, and the low cost of treatment.
Chile: ‘Morning after pill’ for everyone — For free
(News Article; South America)
4 Sep 2006
Estrada D, IPS News
The Chilean government recently decreed that all public health centres should provide birth control, including emergency contraception, to adolescents and women over the age of 14.
High birthrate threatens to trap Africa in cycle of poverty
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
4 Sep 2006
The Guardian
The exceptionally rapid increase in the population of many African countries threatens to undermine efforts to reduce poverty and to result in conflicts over land and other resources, according to a report from The Guardian.
UNFPA stresses family planning for human rights promotion
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
6 Sep 2006
Angola Press
Meeting the unmet need for family planning in sub-Saharan Africa would not only avoid unwanted pregnancies but also promote both human rights and efficient use of resources for public health, according to a senior official of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).
Philippines: Sex lessons in public schools pushed
(Feature Article; Asia)
8 Sep 2006
Solmerin FS, Manila Standard
Civil society organizations, with support from the Department of Education, are working to show the public in the Philippines that that sexuality education can be based on facts and research and be age-appropriate.
FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH LAW AND POLICY
Pakistan committed to bringing population growth down: Official
(News Article; Asia)
6 Sep 2006
People's Daily Online
The Pakistani government was committed to bringing down the country's population growth rate to provide a higher quality life to the people, said Minister for Population Welfare Chaudhry Shehbaz Hussain. He made the pledge at the conclusion of one-day workshop on "South-South Cooperation and Sustainable Development" organized by the Chinese Ministry of Health.
India: Sunday Debate: Should couples be fined for a third child? No
(Letter to the Editor; Asia)
2 Sep 2006
Times of India
The proposition to fine couples for a third child brings to mind the sterilisations and the vasectomies of the Sanjay Gandhi era, which eventually sounded the death-knell for the Congress government in the post-Emergency period. It is rather alarming that the Orissa government is contemplating yet another draconian measure, despite the fact that the futility of such measures in controlling population has been amply demonstrated.
HIV/AIDS RESEARCH
Immunoprophylaxis against AIDS in macaques with a lentiviral DNA vaccine
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Virology. 2006 Aug 1;351(2):444-454.
Liu Z | Singh DK | Sheffer D | Smith MS | Dhillon S | Chebloune Y | Hegde R | Buch S | Narayan O
Related News Article: AIDS vaccine progress published in Virology
Six macaques received two intramuscular injections of a DNA vaccine, and another six received three injections of a second type of DNA vaccine. Virus control animals all developed progressive infection, whereas vaccinated macaques from both groups controlled virus replication, with plasma viral loads dropping to undetectable levels between weeks 6 and 126. This DNA vaccine induced broad-based protection without using viral proteins to boost the immunity.
HIV-1 DNA/MVA vaccination reduces the per exposure probability of infection during repeated mucosal SHIV challenges
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Virology. 2006 Aug 15;352(1):216-225.
Ellenberger D | Otten RA | Li B | Aidoo M | Rodriguez IV | Sariol CA | Martinez M | Monsour M | Wyatt L | Hudgens MG | Kraiselburd E | Moss B | Robinson H | Folks T | Butera S
Historically, HIV vaccines resulted in protection from disease progression but not infection when tested in monkeys challenged with a single high virus exposure. An alternative approach, more analogous to human sexual exposures, is to repetitively challenge immunized monkeys with a much lower dose of virus. The authors found that a multi-protein DNA/MVA HIV-1 vaccine is capable of protecting rhesus monkeys against systemic infection under these conditions.
AIDS in India
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Asia)
Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2006 Sep;82(971):545-547.
Solomon S | Solomon SS | Ganesh AK
HIV infection in India was first detected in 1986 among female sex workers in Chennai. Today, with an estimated 5.134 million infections, India is home to the second largest population of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLHA). This article describes the state of the epidemic in India, the main contributing factors, and suggestions for changes that should be made in the management of the epidemic.
Economic causes and effects of AIDS in South African households
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
AIDS. 2006 Sep 11;20(14):1861-1867.
Bachmann MO | Booysen FL
This research investigates the magnitude and temporal directionality of associations between illness and death, and income and expenditure, in households affected by HIV/AIDS. Current or previous AIDS illness was independently associated with 34% lower monthly expenditure, and current or recent poverty was associated with 1.74 times higher odds of an AIDS death. AIDS deaths and illnesses predicted declining expenditure and poverty predicted AIDS, suggesting that both welfare and effective treatment are needed.
How HIV and AIDS affect populations 
(Policy Brief; Asia | Europe | Sub-Saharan Africa)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
Washington, DC, Population Reference Bureau, 2006.
Ashford L
The AIDS epidemic is one of the most destructive health crises of modern times, ravaging families and communities throughout the world. By 2005, more than 25 million people had died and an estimated 39 million were living with HIV. An estimated 4 million people were newly infected with HIV in 2005 — 95% of them in sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe, or Asia. While sub-Saharan Africa has been hardest hit, other regions also face serious epidemics. This policy brief gives an overview of the effects of HIV and AIDS on population size, characteristics, and well-being. It also highlights the major efforts needed to control the epidemic.
Botswana's Tebelopele voluntary HIV counseling and testing network: Use and client risk factors for HIV infection, 2000-2004
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Online access August 31, 2006.
Creek TL | Alwano MG | Molosiwa RR | Roels TH | Kenyon TA | Mwasalla V | Lloyd ES | Mokomane M | Hastings PA | Taylor AW | Kilmarx PH
Botswana's Tebelopele provided free, anonymous, same-day HIV tests for clients from 2000 through 2004. Most VCT clients (82.7%) were unmarried; 89.8% reported no or 1 sexual partner in the last 3 months; and 50.2% of unmarried clients reported always using condoms in the last 3 months. Having only 1 recent sexual partner was associated with less condom use and a higher risk of being HIV-positive for men. Analysis of this data set supports efforts to promote 100% condom use and to emphasize that partner reduction must be combined with condom use and HIV testing to protect against HIV.
HIV/AIDS NEWS
Russia and the AIDS problem
(Editorial; Asia)
3 Sep 2006
Belenkaya M, RIA Novosti
In Russia, the provision of medicines is a vital issue because drugs are expensive. Russia's cooperation with UNAIDS has brought down the cost of antiretroviral treatment from $6,000 to $1,400. Now that Russia produces some of the medications itself, Health Minister Mikhail Zurabov has promised that treatment may be as cheap as $800.
South Africa: Gag on health officials will set 'negative precedent'
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
06 Sep 2006
Mail and Guardian Online
A move by the South Africa Department of Health to gag its top provincial officials from commenting on HIV/AIDS is an unreasonable limitation on their right to freedom of expression, according to two rights-monitoring groups.
Ghana: Hope for HIV/AIDS?
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
5 Sep 2006
Accra Daily Mail
A team of traditional healers and some medical doctors say they have developed a product named DNT One, which like Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART), could help boost the immune system of HIV/AIDS patients in Ghana.
AIDS experts demand S.Africa's Mbeki fire minister
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
6 Sep 2006
Reuters AlertNet
More than 80 international scientists, including a Nobel laureate, have appealed to South Africa's president to fire his controversial health minister for what they say are "pseudo-scientific" policies on AIDS.
India's HIV infected rise to oppose discrimination
(Feature Article; Asia)
6 Sep 2006
Zaheer K, Reuters
An increasing number of HIV/AIDS patients in India are coming forward with complaints of being discriminated against by employers, neighbors, landlords and even schools, because of their infection.
Prevention of HIV is better than no cure
(Feature Article; Global)
7 Sep 2006
The Star
Researchers from the United States' Centres for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health hypothesize that giving an uninfected person a daily pre-exposure dose of antiretrovirals (ARVs) may prevent that person from infection by disabling or interfering with the HIV virus within a certain period after exposure.
Stigma hampers fight against HIV/AIDS in Namibia
(Feature Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
6 Sep 2006
Bernama.com (Malaysia)
Myths and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS are hampering efforts to halt its spread in Namibia. Experts who attended a one-day AIDS conference in Windhoek recently said a lot more needs to be done to destroy myths and ensure that resources are channelled to the organizations fighting HIV/AIDS in the outlying regions of Namibia.
Men's behavior a key goal in AIDS fight: Hearing
(News Article; Global)
6 Sep 2006
Fox M, Scientific American/Reuters
A controversial policy promoting abstinence education to fight AIDS may be the best way to get men to treat women better, according to US government AIDS officials. But a congressional study found that the policy often confused AIDS workers and may have interfered with prevention efforts.
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH
Causes of stillbirths and early neonatal deaths: Data from 7993 pregnancies in six developing countries
(Research Article; Global)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2006 Sep;84(9):685-764.
Ngoc NTN | Merialdi M | Abdel-Aleem H | Carroli G | Purwar M | Zavaleta N | Campodonico L | Ali M | Hofmeyr J | Mathai M | Lincetto O | Villar J
This article reports stillbirth and early neonatal mortality and quantifies the relative importance of different primary obstetric causes of perinatal mortality. Spontaneous preterm delivery and hypertension were the most common causes of perinatal deaths. Prematurity was the main cause of early neonatal deaths. Advancements in the care of premature infants and prevention of spontaneous preterm labor and hypertension in pregnancy could lead to a substantial decrease in perinatal mortality in hospital settings in developing countries.
Factors associated with the awareness and practice of evidence-based obstetric care in an African setting
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2006 Sep;113(9):1060-1066.
Tita AT | Selwyn BJ | Waller DK | Kapadia AS | Dongmo S
The authors attempt to identify the factors associated with important variation in awareness of evidence-based obstetric interventions. Health workers were asked which four interventions they were aware of: antiretrovirals to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, antenatal corticosteroids for prematurity, uterotonics to prevent postpartum haemorrhage, and magnesium sulphate for seizure prophylaxis. 15.5% of health workers were aware of all of the interventions. Several factors, including obstetric training and continuous education, positively influence awareness of key obstetric interventions.
Rates, timing and causes of neonatal deaths in rural India: Implications for neonatal health programmes
(Research Article; Asia)
Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2006 Sep;84(9):706-713.
Baqui AH | Darmstadt GL | Williams EK | Kumar V | Kiran TU | Panwar D | Srivastava VK | Ahuja R | Black RE | Santosham M
The study assessed the rates, timing, and causes of neonatal deaths and stillbirths in rural Uttar Pradesh, India. There were 430 stillbirths reported, comprising 41% of all deaths in the sample. Of the 618 live births, 32% deaths were on the day of birth, 50% occurred during the first 3 days of life and 71% were during the first week. Stillbirths and deaths on the day of birth represent a large proportion of perinatal and neonatal deaths, highlighting an urgent need to improve coverage with skilled birth attendants and to ensure access to emergency obstetric care.
Risk factors for mortality from neonatal tetanus: 7 years experience in North Bengal, India
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Asia)
Annals of Tropical Paediatrics. 2006 Sep;26(3):233-239.
Basu S | Paul DK | Ganguly S | Chandra PK
This paper reports on an analysis of the demographic and clinical data of neonatal tetanus in North Bengal, India and determines the risk factors for mortality. According to hospital records from 1997-2003, overall mortality was 66.3%. The group who survived had a significantly greater mean bodyweight on admission, later onset of the disease and were hospitalised early. Although over the 7 years improvement was observed in admissions for NNT, maternal literacy and the economic status of families, there is a persisting lack of awareness regarding antenatal care, and deliveries are still conducted by untrained persons.
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NEWS
Health crisis along Myanmar-Thai border comparable to Africa's worst war zones: Report
(News Article; Asia)
7 Sep 2006
International Herald Tribune
Rampant human rights abuses by Myanmar's ruling junta — from forced labor to food seizures — have caused a deadly health crisis on the country's eastern frontier comparable to Africa's worst conflict zones, says a recently released report. The report, based on a survey of nearly 2,000 households and data compiled by several relief organizations, said Myanmar's child and maternal mortality rates were higher than in the Congo.
Obstetric fistula largely avoidable: WHO
(News Article; Global)
2 Sep 2006
Ethiopian Herald
The World Health Organization (WHO) said obstetric fistula, an injury mostly caused by childbirth complications, can be largely avoided through improving maternal health care services and delaying the age of first pregnancy.
Nepal: Maternal and child mortality could increase in flood region
(News Article; Asia)
6 Sep 2006
Reuters AlertNet
Maternal and child mortality could rise in flood-hit western Nepal if the health care of women and children is not prioritized, the United Nations Population Fund Agency (UNFPA) said. Flash floods caused by monsoons killed at least 50 people in western Nepal. Tens of thousands have been left homeless and food stocks were destroyed in the Bardiya, Banke and Achham districts about 800 km west of the capital, Kathmandu, according to the Nepal Red Cross (NRCS).
MEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH
Sperm chromatin proteomics identifies evolutionarily conserved fertility factors
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Nature. 2006 Sep 7;443(7107):101-105.
Chu DS | Liu H | Nix P | Wu TF | Ralston EJ | Yates JR 3rd | Meyer BJ
Male infertility is a long-standing enigma of significant medical concern. The quality of sperm chromatin — DNA packaged with associated proteins — is known to be an important indicator of male fertility. This research aimed to identify proteins important for sperm chromatin structure. The study found that of mouse gene knockouts corresponding to nematode proteins, 37% (7/19) cause male sterility. The research results therefore provide significant opportunity to identify causes of male infertility and targets for male contraceptives.
MEN'S HEALTH NEWS
Adult male circumcision could reduce the HIV epidemic in Africa
(News Article; Global)
7 Sep 2006
WebWire
Even modest programs advocating adult male circumcision can substantially prevent HIV infections and should be implemented immediately, researchers at Yale School of Medicine reported at the 16th International AIDS Conference in Toronto.
POPULATION RESEARCH
State of world population 2006
(News Article; Global)
New York, NY, UNFPA, 2006.
United Nations Population Fund
Related Report: State of world population 2006 (PDF version)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
Related News Article: Governments urged to protect female migrants
Today, women constitute almost half of all international migrants worldwide — 95 million. Yet, despite contributions to poverty reduction and struggling economies, it is only recently that the international community has begun to grasp the significance of what migrant women have to offer. And it is only recently that policymakers are acknowledging the particular challenges and risks women confront when venturing into new lands.
2006 World population data sheet
(Report; Global)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
Washington DC, Population Reference Bureau, 2006.
Each year, nearly 3 million migrants move from poor countries to wealthier ones, but more of this migration will occur between developing countries, such as from Bangladesh to India. The 2006 data sheet provides new information on migration rates, and up-to-date demographic, health, and environment data for countries and world regions.
Abnormal sex ratios in human populations: Causes and consequences
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences of the United States of America. 2006 Sep 5;103(36):13271-13275.
Hesketh T | Xing ZW
In the absence of manipulation, both the sex ratio at birth and the population sex ratio are remarkably constant in human populations. The tradition of son preference, however, has distorted natural sex ratios in large parts of Asia and North Africa. This son preference is manifest in sex-selective abortion and in discrimination in care practices for girls, both of which lead to higher female mortality. Largely as a result of sex-selective abortion, there are now an estimated 80 million missing females in India and China alone. Measures to reduce sex selection must include strict enforcement of existing legislation, the ensuring of equal rights for women, and public awareness campaigns about the dangers of gender imbalance.
POPULATION NEWS
Government study shows South Africans dying at disturbing rate
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
7 Sep 2006
International Herald Tribune
The South African government linked a sharp increase in death rate to the country's staggering AIDS epidemic. The government said the death rate for women aged 20 to 39 had more than tripled between 1997 and 2004 and had more than doubled for men aged 30 to 44. It noted those age groups had the highest incidence of death from AIDS.
Uganda's population to hit 130m by 2050
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
4 Sep 2006
Kelley K, The East African
Uganda is projected to have the world’s highest population growth rate over the next few decades, causing a leading demographer to suggest that the country is condemning itself to severe poverty and instability. Uganda’s current population of 27.7 million will soar to 130 million by the year 2050, according to a new study by the Population Reference Bureau, represents a 377% increase – a figure that Carl Haub, a demographer with the Washington-based NGO, calls "hard to imagine."
Malaysian fertility rate drops
(News Article; Asia)
6 Sep 2006
Daily Express
A survey conducted by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) shows that the total fertility rate in Malaysia has declined from 3.4 in 1994 to 2.8 in 2004. Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Datuk G Palanivel said the decline could be expected to continue if the country kept moving towards an industrialized society, as many population theorists have expounded that an educated public is more discerning about family formation and size.
South Africa: Report: Smaller cities growing rapidly
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
6 Sep 2006
Mail and Guardian Online
South Africa's smaller cities are growing rapidly while the population growth of the nine major cities is slowing down. These trends were shown in the State of Cities Report 2006 released in Pretoria. Over the last five years the entire urban population has increased faster than the national population.
WOMEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH
The promises and limitations of female-initiated methods of HIV/STI protection
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text)
Social Science and Medicine. 2006 Oct;63(8):1998-2009.
Mantell JE | Dworkin SL | Exner TM | Hoffman S | Smit JA | Susser I
This paper specifically addresses how the structure of gender relations shapes the promises and limitations of widespread use and acceptance of female-initiated methods. The authors draw on examples from around the world to underscore how the regional specificities of gender equality shape the acceptance, negotiation, and use of these methods. Based on analyses, the authors offer key policy and programmatic recommendations to increase promotion and effective use of women-initiated HIV/STI protection methods for both women and men.
Cost-effectiveness of treatments for dysfunctional uterine bleeding in women who need contraception
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Contraception. 2006 Sep;74(3):249-258.
Blumenthal PD | Trussell J | Singh RH | Guo A | Borenstein J | Dubois RW | Liu Z
This study aims to compare the cost-effectiveness of oral contraceptives (OCs), the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) and surgical management in treating dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) in women not desiring additional children. In women not responding to an initial trial of OCs, surgical management was more effective than the LNG-IUS (95.5% vs. 92%) but at higher cost (US$4853 vs. US$2796). Among responders to OCs, continuing treatment with the LNG-IUS instead of OCs was more effective (92% vs. 90.4%) and less expensive (US$2796 vs. US$4711). Treatment strategies employing the LNG-IUS are the most cost-effective in managing DUB.
The prevalence and the age at the onset of menopause in Turkish women in rural area
(Abstract; Europe)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
Saudi Medical Journal. 2006 Sep;27(9):1381-1386.
Vehid S | Aran SN | Koksal S | Isiloglu H | Senocak M
This research examines the prevalence of natural menopause among Turkish women according to age and certain demographic variables in a specific rural area. There was a noticeably high percentage of females (8.6%) younger than 40 years who were entering menopause. An early onset of natural menopause among Turkish women living in this rural area was found to be associated with never having been pregnant and their age of menarche.
WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS
Anti-poverty efforts face child marriage hurdle
(Feature Article; Global)
22 Aug 2006
Women's eNews
Around the world, 51 million girls and teens are married so young that they face special health risks and higher rates of poverty. A United States Senate bill asks for more funding to fight child marriage and advocates say the practice hinders development goals.
Yemen: Misery for countless women in region: Attacking female genital mutilation
(Feature Article; Middle East)
6 Sep 2006
Yemen Times
A growing movement to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or female circumcision has been developing around the world, including the Horn of Africa and Yemen. International organizations dealing with women’s rights and health have expressed commitment to fight this phenomenon, which has caused miseries to females throughout the African continent and in some Arab countries including Yemen.
Cervical cancer: The hurt inside
(Feature Article; Global | Asia)
5 Sep 2006
The Manila Times
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) records about 490,000 cases a year. Every two minutes, a woman dies of cervical cancer. And, more than 50 percent of the cervical cancer deaths occur within the Asia Pacific region.
YOUTH HEALTH RESEARCH
Special needs of adolescent and young women in accessing reproductive health: Promoting partnerships between young people and health care providers
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2006 Sep;94(3):350-356.
Hobcraft G | Baker T
This article considers the unique challenges and opportunities that health care providers face when they address the sexual and reproductive health and rights of young women accessing services. Some of the difficulties are highlighted, including the impact of their personal biases and the effect of an under-equipped working environment. Also considered is how international documents concerning reproductive health can be utilized as advocacy tools to ensure that, when governments speak of making young people's needs a priority, resources are also made a priority — so that reproductive health can become a reality for all young people.
Factors associated with self-efficacy for condom use and sexual negotiation among South African youth
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. Online access August 31, 2006.
Sayles JN | Pettifor A | Wong MD | MacPhail C | Lee SJ | Hendriksen E | Rees HV | Coates T
This paper identifies factors associated with high self-efficacy for sexual negotiation and condom use in a sample of South African youth. Among females, factors associated with high self-efficacy were knowing how to avoid HIV, having spoken with someone other than a parent or guardian about HIV/AIDS, and having life goals. Male respondents with high self-efficacy were more likely to take HIV seriously, to believe they are not at risk for HIV, to report that getting condoms is easy, and to have life goals. Many of these factors suggest potential ways to improve self-efficacy and reduce HIV sexual risk behavior in South African youth.
Pregnant teenager involvement in sexual activity and the social context
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; South America)
Scientific World Journal. 25 Aug 2006;6:988-1007.
Sant'Anna MJ | Catunda JK | Carvalho KA | Coates V | Omar HA
The purpose of this study was to evaluate pregnant teenager involvement in sexual activity. Most pregnancies (75%) were neither planned nor wanted; however, most teen mothers (64.3%) did not use any contraceptive method. The average number of school years attended was high, pointing to the multicausality of teen pregnancy and the role played by the family. The study confirmed that teen pregnancy has multiple causes and that sexual initiation of pregnant teenagers was quite early with high dropout rates, which indicated that prevention should be based on early detection of risk factors.
Female genital mutilation [letter to the editor]
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
The Lancet. 2006 Aug 12-18;368(9535):579.
Rymer J
Not all of the consequences of female genital mutilation are related to obstetric outcomes. The immediate physical complications of the procedure include shock, infection, tetanus, and septicaemia, and any of these can lead to death. The longer-term complications include scarring with keloid formation, vulval epidermoid cysts, vulval abscesses, infertility, dysmenorrhoea, and recurrent urinary tract infections.
YOUTH HEALTH NEWS
Ghana: Increased penalties for female genital cutting proposed
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
05 Sep 2006
Reuter AlertNet / IRIN
Few people who perform excision have been jailed under Ghana's 1994 law against the practice — as is the case in other African countries where excision is outlawed. But despite the low rate of prosecution, some Ghanaian lawmakers want to take punishment one step further. Proposed revisions to the law aim to punish anyone — including parents and other family members — who give their consent to female genital cutting.
South Africa: New comic book on HIV/AIDS launched for deaf community
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
4 Sep 2006
IRIN News
Using illustrations of South African Sign Language instead of speech bubbles, a new comic book is reaching out to the deaf community with messages about HIV and AIDS, sexual violence and sexual rights. The 14-page 'Are Your Rights Respected?' follows a group of friends attending deaf school as they learn about their sexuality, how to protect themselves from HIV, their rights to health and education, and how to deal with sexual abuse.
Jamaica: We need sex education!
(Editorial; Central America and the Caribbean)
5 Sep 2006
Clarke O, Jamaica Observer
In recent years the Jamaican government has made commendable efforts, through its various campaigns, to heighten public awareness about HIV/AIDS. However more needs to be done to educate the population, especially young people. Given the fact that school is where young people spend most of their time, it makes sense to place more emphasis on sex education. The editors suggest that the government embark on an intense campaign for the new school term.
Philippines: Editorial: Safety net
(Editorial; Asia)
4 Sep 2006
Sun Star
Ronnie Sab-a, chair of the Remedios Aids Foundation's Aids Coordinating Team (RAF-Act), points out that risk behaviors make it imperative for young people to be educated about the consequences and responsibilities of sexual behavior, especially young people who are vulnerable to prostitution, promiscuity and ignorance about reproductive health.
SPECIAL REPORTS/PROFILES/RESOURCES
Empowering young women to lead change
(Curriculum; Global)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
This is an easy to follow resource manual designed to enable young women to prepare and facilitate training on a host of issues that are important to them. A joint publication of the World YWCA and UNFPA, the manual was developed by young women and contains modules on young women's leadership, economic justice, HIV and AIDS, human rights, peace, self esteem and body image, sexual and reproductive health and violence against women. (124p)
Costs of reproductive health services provided by four CHAG hospitals
(Report; Sub-Saharan Africa)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
Washington, DC, FRONTIERS/Population Council, 2006.
Boateng J | Surnye H | Mensah A | Boateng B | Nyarko P | Munguti N | Bratt J
FRONTIERS helped to build the economic evaluation skills of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) to increase the sustainability of reproductive health services provided by CHAG. FRONTIERS worked with four CHAG-affiliated hospitals to help determine costs of family planning, antenatal care (ANC), and voluntary counseling and testing (VCT). The average cost for outpatient consultations ranged from US$5-12, with VCT visits accounting for the highest costs, followed by ANC and family planning consultations.
Face-to-face complimentary selling of health products in Ghana
(Report; Sub-Saharan Africa)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
Washington, DC, FRONTIERS/Population Council, 2006.
Bruce E | Mensah D | Idun J | Ashabley F | Foreit J | Nyarko P
FRONTIERS worked with the Ghana Social Marketing Foundation (GSMF) to test a complementary sales strategy to increase the sustainability of one supplier of contraceptives. Agents selling the index product offered customers an additional related product. Average purchases of complementary products increased slightly but the scheme of pairing products did not increase revenues. Three complementary products were nutritional supplements paired with products used to treat acute illness (e.g., diarrhea, malaria). The complementary products were not successful because they did not contribute to immediate relief, as did somewhat more successful combinations (e.g., analgesics with antimalarials).(29p)
Calendar of Events
September 7, 2006 - October 17, 2006Abstract submission open for Global Health Council 34th Annual Conference
The Council invites people to submit an abstract that will explore the wide range of partnerships and collaborations working together to tackle the most complex global health issues. All abstracts must be submitted through the online abstract submission system.
E-Mail: conference@globalhealth.orgEvent Location: Washington, DC
October 23, 2006 - October 27, 2006
HIV/AIDS Peer Educator Re-energising Training
The purpose of this one-of-a-kind training is to rejuvenate and revitalize Peer Educators and HIV/Wellness Champions. Training will focus on personal revitalization, expanding interpersonal skills, and review and regeneration of the Peer Educator's deliverable outcomes.
Contact's Name: David Patient / E-Mail: david@empow.co.za
Event Location: Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, South Africa
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