Volume 6, Number 47
27 November 2006

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FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RESEARCH

Female sex workers and unsafe sex in urban and rural Nyanza, Kenya: Regular partners may contribute more to HIV transmission than clients
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Tropical Medicine & International Health. Online access November 27, 2006.
Voeten HA | Egesah OB | Varkevisser CM | Habbema JD
This article compares the sexual behavior of female sex workers in urban and rural areas in Nyanza province in Kenya, and compares their unsafe sex with clients and with regular partners. Most sex workers had one or two regular partners. With clients, condom use was fairly frequent (75%) but with regular partners, it was rather infrequent (less than 40%). The mean number of sex acts in which no condom was used was greater for regular partners than for clients. Interventions for sex workers should also focus on condom use in regular partnerships.

1.5mln abortions performed annually in Russia; 1.6mln childbirths registered
(News Article; Asia)
22 Nov 2006
Regnum
1.5 million abortions annually occur in Russia; about 1.6 million births occur. A trend towards decrease of abortions has been appearing in recent years; however, some specialists maintain that 10-15% of abortions occuring at private clinics are not registered anywhere. 404 Russian women died after they gave birth in 2005; maternal mortality totals 24.4 per 100,000 births in Russia and 15 per 100,000 in Europe.

Profile of clients requesting for removal of intrauterine devices in Jos, Nigeria
(Research Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Annals of African Medicine. 2006;5(2):89-92.
Mutihir JT | Iranloye T | Uduagbamen PF
This paper examines the profile of women who request removal of an intrauterine device (IUD) in Jos, Nigeria. The mean age and parity of the clients was 32.9 years and 4.0, respectively. All the women were married and all had has at least one pregnancy. The women were using the method for a mean of 4.3 years, and the most common indication for removal was the desire for another pregnancy in 30.7% of the clients, followed by back pain in 12.6%. The mean weight of the women at the insertion of the IUD was 66.67 kg and the mean weight at the removal of the device was 69.3. The authors concluded that the observed weight increase in IUD users is probably occasioned by the annulment of the fear of pregnancy, and the tendency of women to gain weight with increasing age.

FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH NEWS

Will the pope relax the condom ban?
(News Article; Europe)
26 Nov 2006
Spiegel Online
With almost 40 million people infected with HIV worldwide, the pope is now considering a document that recommends easing the Vatican's condom ban -- but only in exceptional circumstances.

India: Just 0.8% men sterilised: Survey
(News Article; Asia)
25 Nov 2006
The Times of India
According to the National Family Health Survey III, only 19.3% of children in Delhi under three were breastfed within one hour of birth, while 34% of children were breastfed until five months of age. In family planning, the survey found that 23% of women were sterilized, while only 0.8% of men were sterilized. Nearly 23.3% of couples used condoms as a family planning measure.

Nigeria: Visit family planning clinics, PPFN urges couples
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
24 Nov 2006
The Tide
Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) encourages couples and individuals to use family planning services run by government, private clinics, and PPFN in order to space their children and to improve maternal and child health in the region.

Philippines: Arroyo flayed for bowing to Church on contraception
(News Article; Asia)
24 Nov 2006
The Peninsula
Philippine President Gloria Arroyo’s "unwarranted subservience" to the Roman Catholic Church over birth control has jeopardized the country’s future, said former leader Fidel Ramos.

HIV/AIDS RESEARCH

December 2006: AIDS epidemic update
(Report; Global)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
Geneva, Switzerland, UNAIDS, 2006.
Related Editorial: An AIDS report worth pondering
Promising developments have been seen in recent years in global efforts to address the AIDS epidemic, including increased access to effective treatment and prevention programs. However, the number of people living with HIV continues to grow, as does the number of deaths due to AIDS. A total of 39.5 million people were living with HIV in 2006 -- 2.6 million more than in 2004. This figure includes the estimated 4.3 million adults and children who were newly infected with HIV in 2006, which is about 400,000 more than in 2004.

Effect of HIV serological status on outcome in patients with cancer of cervix treated with radiotherapy
(Abstract; Sub-Saharan Africa)
East African Medical Journal. 2006;83(8):416-423.
Kigula-Mugambe JB | Kavuma A
This research investigated the outcomes of cervical cancer patients with known HIV status treated with radiotherapy. Of cervical cancer patients, 80.6% were HIV-negative and 19.4% were HIV-positive. All the HIV-positive patients had advanced cervical cancer. The one-, two-, and three-year survival probabilities for the HIV-positive patients were 67%, 40%, and 27%, respectively, while they were 89%, 62%, and 51% for the seronegative patients. Radiotherapy was effective in both sets of patients with comparable response.

Adherence to HAART: A systematic review of developed and developing nation patient-reported barriers and facilitators
(Research Article; Global)
PLoS Medicine. 2006 Nov 21;3(11):e438.
Mills EJ | Nachega JB | Bangsberg DR | Singh S | Rachlis B | Wu P | Wilson K | Buchan I | Gill CJ | Cooper C
The authors reviewed the literature to determine barriers and facilitators to adhering to antiretroviral therapy. Seventy-two studies were conducted in developed nations, while the remaining 12 were conducted in developing nations. Important barriers included fear of disclosure, concomitant substance abuse, forgetfulness, suspicions of treatment, regimens that are too complicated, number of pills required, decreased quality of life, work and family responsibilities, falling asleep, and access to medication. The authors found that important barriers to adherence are consistent across multiple settings and countries.

Characteristics of HIV infected patients cared for at “academic model for the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS” clinics in Western Kenya
(Abstract; Sub-Saharan Africa)
East African Medical Journal. 2006;83(8):424-433.
Diero LO | Shaffer D | Kimaiyo S | Siika AM | Rotich JK | Smith FE | Mamlin JJ | Einterz RM | Justice AC | Carter ED | Tierney WM
This article describes the characteristics of adults receiving care in two Kenyan public HIV clinics. Two-thirds of the patients were women; a quarter had spouses who had died of AIDS. Men more commonly presented with symptoms than women. The average CD4+ count was low (223mm3), with men having significantly lower CD4+ counts than women. Five percent had received prior antiretroviral drug therapy, while 36% received antiretroviral drugs at the clinic. Overall, men were sicker and more often received antiretroviral drugs.

HIV infection among commericial sex workers and injecting drug users in the Czech Republic
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Europe)
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 2006 Nov;75(5):1017-1020.
Bruckova M | Bautista CT | Graham RR | Maly M | Vandasova J | Presl J | Sumegh L | Chapman GD | Carr JK | Sanchez JL | Earhart KC
This research determined the prevalence of, and risk factors for, HIV among female and male commercial sex workers (FCSW and MCSW, respectively) and injecting drug users (IDUs). Overall HIV prevalences were 0.7%, 0.9%, and 0.2%, among FCSWs, MCSWs, and IDUs, respectively. Although low HIV prevalences were found, ongoing sentinel surveillance studies, which address modifiable behavioral and biologic risk factors among high-risk groups, are necessary to guide strategies to stem the tide of the epidemic in this country.

Detection of HIV and HCV RNA in semen from Brazilian coinfected men using multiplex PCR before and after semen washing
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; South America)
Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo. 2006 Aug;48(4):201-2006.
do Canto CLM | SeguradoI AC | Pannut C | Cedenho A | Srougi M | Spaine D | Fernandes S | Carretiero N | Bernal MC | Levi JE
After seminal analysis, semen samples from 20 patients with both HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) were washed and submitted to cell fractioning and isolation of motile sperm. HIV and HCV RNA detection tests were performed with RNA obtained from sperm, seminal plasma, and total semen. In pre-washing semen, HIV RNA was detected in 100% of total semen samples, whereas HCV RNA was amplified in only one specimen. Neither HIV nor HCV were detected in the post-washing semen fractions. Reduction of HIV and/or HCV shedding in semen by density gradient centrifugation is an efficient method. These findings show that semen processing is highly beneficial for HIV/HCV coinfected individuals.

HIV/AIDS NEWS

Egypt launches 5-year national campaign against HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C among children
(News Article; North Africa)
24 Nov 2006
People's Daily Online
Egypt has launched a five-year campaign to help children fight HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C. The campaign is cosponsored by the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, UNICEF and U.S. Coca-Cola North and West Africa. Egyptian Minister of Health and Population Hatem el-Gabali said at the launch ceremony that raising awareness among the public about how HIV is transmitted is the most important thing for Egypt.

South Africa: AIDS body expresses concern over misinformation
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
27 Nov 2006
Mail and Guardian Online
Listing AIDS as the cause of death on public death certificates will not in any way improve the collection of statistics on HIV-related deaths, the AIDS Law Project (ALP) argued recently. "It is also a violation of the deceased's right to confidentiality, which can have serious repercussions for surviving family members," the ALP stated.

S. Africa, Canada sign development pact
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
25 Nov 2006
People's Daily Online
South Africa and Canada have recently signed an agreement designed to help South Africa strengthen service delivery, curb the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and boost rural development.

Antigua: CFPA mounts new AIDS media campaign
(News Article; Central America and the Caribbean)
24 Nov 2006
Antigua Sun
The Antigua-based Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation (CFPA) will release a series of new media messages to mark World AIDS Day, held every year on December 1. The new materials – three TV ads and one poster – will be incorporated into special activities being organized by Family Planning Associations across the region.

Healers back S African minister
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
22 Nov 2006
BBC
Traditional healers in South Africa have demonstrated in favor of Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang. Several hundred of them marched through Johannesburg, praising the minister and criticizing anti-AIDS groups who have criticized the minister for promoting natural remedies rather than antiretrovirals.

Nigeria: 'HIV/AIDS is not a death sentence' – Pastor
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
25 Nov 2006
The Tide
This article includes an interview with Pastor Nathaniel Luke, Coordinator of the Rivers State Faith-Based Coalition Against AIDS.

The modern leper: The HIV-AIDS victim
(Feature Article; Europe)
26 Nov 2006
Times of Malta
With World AIDS Day being observed on December 1, Dr. Charles Savona-Ventura looks at the spread of the disease in the world - and in Malta - in this article.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH

Opportunities for Africa's newborns
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
Geneva, Switzerland, WHO, 2006.
Related News Article: Infant mortality in Africa still dire: WHO
Related News Article: Africa baby deaths 'preventable'
Each year at least 1.16 million newborns die in Sub-Saharan Africa. Africa has the highest rates of neonatal mortality in the world, and has shown the slowest progress so far in reducing neonatal deaths. However, there is hope. In the past year the rate of policy change in African countries far exceeded expectations, providing opportunities to accelerate progress for maternal, newborn, and child health. This 250-page report gives an overview of neonatal deaths and lives that could be saved in Africa in order to guide policy and program priority setting.

Revaccination with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine does not reduce morbidity from malaria in African children
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Tropical Medicine & International Health. Online access November 27, 2006.
Rodrigues A | Schellenberg JA | Roth A | Benn CS | Aaby P | Greenwood B
This research investigated whether revaccination with BCG at 19 months of age reduced morbidity from malaria. Incidence rates of first episodes of malaria associated with any level of parasitemia were 0.16 episodes per child-year among 713 revaccinated children and 0.12 among 720 control children. Results were similar when the diagnosis of malaria was based on the presence of malaria parasites. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of parasitemia between the two groups of children at cross-sectional surveys. There was no evidence that BCG revaccination reduces morbidity from malaria.

An evaluation of the effect of parity and age on malaria parasitaemia in pregnancy
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 2006 Nov;26(8):755 -758.
Nnaji GA | Okafor CI | Ikechebelu JI
This study set out to determine the effect of parity on the prevalence of malaria parasitemia in pregnancy. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the prevalence rate of malaria parasitemia in women in their first pregnancy (primigravida) (87.9%) and women in their third or subsequent pregnancy (grand multigravida) (63.6%: 28 of 44). The rates were found to decrease with increasing parity. Targeting malaria control efforts to women in their first and second pregnancy will be an important strategy to reach most infected women and minimize resource expenditure.

Early childbearing in Guatemala: A continuing challenge
(Report; Central America and the Caribbean)
(You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this document)
New York, NY, Guttmacher Institute, 2006
Childbearing during adolescence is recognized worldwide as a factor with a profound impact on the well-being and reproductive health of young women, and on a country’s overall pace and direction of development. In Guatemala, where limited resources shape the lives of many young people even without the added burden of parenthood, addressing the health and social consequences of high levels of adolescent childbearing is critical. Yet Guatemala has the third highest adolescent birthrate in Central America.

Role of child health clinics in promoting use of insecticide-treated nets among children under five years in Nyamira district, Kenya
(Abstract; Sub-Saharan Africa)
East African Medical Journal. 2006;83(8):450-454.
Osero JS | Otieno MF | Orago AS
This article reviews whether child health clinics in Kenya have been effective at promoting the use of insecticide-treated nets for malaria prevention among children. 71% of mothers who visited the clinics did not receive information on the use of insecticide-treated nets. Only 50% of the clinics with posters had bed net posters visible and very few mothers (36.2%) saw the posters. Despite the fact that these clinics were a good venue to promote the use of insecticide-treated nets to mothers, very little was being done.

India: Gynaecology centre at Egmore hospital
(News Article; Asia)
25 Nov 2006
News Today
The Indian government will construct a state-of-the art Institute of Obstetric and Gynecology at the Egmore hospital, said Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare. Speaking at the 23rd annual conference of the Obstetricians and Gynecology Society of Southern India (OGSSI), he said 'India has the highest maternal mortality rate at 300 deaths per 100,000 births. We must work towards reducing it.'

Comparison of pregnancy outcome between teenage and older primigravidae in Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, north-central Nigeria
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Annals of African Medicine. 2006;5(2):101-106.
Mutihir JT | Maduka WE
This study determined the incidence of teenage pregnancy and compared the socio-demographic characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of teenagers in Nigeria. The study showed teenage mothers were more likely to be Hausa/Fulani ethnicity, Muslim religion, lower educational status, and low income. There were no significant differences in preterm labor, obstetric complications, obstetric interventions, and crude perinatal death rate compared to the control. This study demonstrates that when teenagers receive good antenatal care, pregnancy and labor outcomes are comparable to that of other age groups.

Risk factors for hepatitis B infection during pregnancy in a Nigerian obstetric population
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology . 2006 Nov;26(8):770 - 772.
Obi SN | Onah HE | Ezugwu FO
The authors assessed the risk factors for hepatitis B infection among pregnant women in Enugu, Nigeria. Of the women attending the antenatal clinic, 4.6% were seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen. The significant risk factors for hepatitis B positivity were higher mean parity, higher number of sexual partners since sexual debut, polygamy and previous positive history of sexually transmitted diseases. The authors advocate universal antenatal screening for hepatitis B, health education aimed at reducing risk factors, and immunization of all newborn and those at risk of hepatitis B.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NEWS

India: TN yet to attain growth in maternal, child heath care
(News Article; Asia)
27 Nov 2006
The Hindu
Despite a rapid decline in the birth rate during the 1980s, Tamil Nadu has yet to achieve an improvement in mother and child health due to imbalances in its family planning program, which focused heavily on sterilization. It is also behind other states in curbing infant and neo-natal mortality.

Philippines: Gov't stands firm on revised IRR of "Milk Code"
(News Article; Asia)
23 Nov 2006
Philippine Information Network
The Philippine government strongly supports and promotes breastfeeding for better infant health and nutrition. The government has also adopted strict standards for importation of infant formula and prohibits marketing of infant formulas for children under three years of age.

MEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH

Male contraception: Past, present and future
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology . 2006 Nov;26(8):721-727.
Herdiman J | Nakash A | Beedham T
Male contraception research has yielded a number of promising leads over the past 50 years. Yet, little is known by the public due to lack of institutional support and funding. This is unfortunate since, apart from condoms and vasectomy, there are many male methods which may be safer, more effective, and easier to use. This paper explores male contraception which has been used in the past and the present and discusses potential developments.

MEN'S HEALTH NEWS

Scientists have developed birth control pill for men
(News Article; Global)
28 Nov 2006
ABC News
A recent survey has found that 55% of men would be willing to use a male contraceptive pill. British scientists, who are developing such a pill, may soon put the claims of these men to the test. The pill is a combination of two medicines for high blood pressure and schizophrenia that block the body from releasing sperm during sex with no change in satisfaction and no hormones.

Sperm-blocking male contraceptive being developed
(News Article; Global)
28 Nov 2006
CTV
A male contraceptive designed to stop the ejaculation of sperm is being developed by British scientists. "It blocks the pumping action of the sperm duct," Dr. Christopher Smith told Canada AM. "So although you're producing sperm quite normally, they're no longer pumped out during the ejaculation phase and are just left behind."

POPULATION RESEARCH

Population health as the ‘bottom line’ of sustainability: A contemporary challenge for public health researchers
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
European Journal of Public Health. 2006 Dec;16(6):579-661.
McMichael AJ
For five centuries, the West proceeded on the assumption of continued progress. This idea was enhanced by enlightenment thinking, the rise of market economics, and the cumulative wealth that flowed from industrial capitalism. The dominant manifestation over the past two centuries has been growth of population, wealth, knowledge, and our domination of the natural world. Inevitably, this burgeoning production, consumption, and waste generation overloads the natural systems upon which we depend and our prevailing cultural values, technologies, and behaviours are not ecologically sustainable.

POPULATION NEWS

Yushchenko commented on birth and death rates in Ukraine
(News Article; Europe)
27 Nov 2006
For-Um
Every month Ukraine loses 71 thousand citizens, but 39-40 thousand children are born, according to Ukranian president Victor Yushchenko. At the same time, he noted that since January 1 of this year, the demographic situation in Ukraine has improved. The average birth rate has increased by 6% and the death rate has slightly decreased.

Uganda: Africa still desires children
(Interview; Sub-Saharan Africa)
23 Nov 2006
MercatorNet
Western population experts writing in The Lancet have their sights trained on Africa where, they claim, the family planning agenda for the developing world is "stalled." In this interview with MercatorNet, Ugandan pediatrician Angelina Kakooza-Mwesige argues that family planning promotion in her country is not stalled, but it must respect the moral values of people and the strong desire for children that most Africans still have.

WOMEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH

Juxtacervical vesicovaginal fistulae: Outcome by route of repair
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 2006 Nov;26(8):795-797.
Chigbu CO | Nwogu-Ikojo EE | Onah HE | Iloabachie GC
This study compared the outcome of vaginal vs. abdominal repair of juxtacervical vesicovaginal fistula. Abdominal repair of juxtacervical vesicovaginal fistula was associated with a significantly higher need for blood transfusion when compared with vaginal repair. Both routes of repair had similar primary repair success rates, postoperative urinary tract infection rates, and duration of hospital stay. It was concluded that the route of repair of juxtacervical vesicovaginal fistula should be determined by accessibility of the fistula and, whenever possible, the vaginal route should be preferred.

Changing perceptions of the value of daughters and girls' education among the Isoko of Nigeria
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
African Population Studies. 2006;21(1):55-70.
Edewor PA
This paper examines the changes in parents' perception of the value of daughters and their education, utilizing focus group discussions in rural Isoko communities in southern Nigeria. Parents' perceptions of the value of daughters is changing because adult daughters have been found to be more supportive of aged parents than adult sons. Consequently, parents now consider the education of daughters as very rewarding since educated daughters become better equipped to provide support to their parents. The changing attitudinal disposition towards girls' education has implications for women’s status and fertility decline.

WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS

India: Government to provide vaccines for cervical cancer virus to women
(News Article; Asia)
26 Nov 2006
The Hindu
The Government of India will provide vaccines for cervical cancer-causing Human Papilloma Virus to girls over 18 years, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said. The Government will begin the program with women who are 18 years old and later move on to girls between 13 and 18 years.

Egypt: Call to end female circumcision
(Feature Article; North Africa)
24 Nov 2006
CNN
Muslim scholars from around the world have called for female genital mutilation to be banned and those who carry it out to face punishment. At a conference on the subject in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, the scholars said governments should enforce existing laws against the practice. The scholars stressed that Islam forbids people from inflicting harm on others, explaining that those who circumcise their daughters were doing exactly that.

Malaysia: Manage menopause, without the pressure
(Feature Article; Asia)
26 Nov 2006
The Star
Women of menopausal age are susceptible to developing high blood pressure, which can lead to stroke and heart attack if left untreated. The article advises women to check their blood pressure regularly, get treated for hypertension and ask their doctors about the right kind of hormone therapy.

UN raises awareness on gender violence in Africa
(News Article; Global)
24 Nov 2006
VOA News
As part of a series of events to raise awareness about gender violence in Africa, UNFPA is training journalists to report on the issue in a way that can help solve it. This report covers a workshop for journalists in Dakar, Senegal.

YOUTH HEALTH RESEARCH

Knowledge, attitudes and practice of contraception amongst secondary school students in Yaounde, Cameroon: A study of perception differences between males and females
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Clinics in Mother and Child Health. 2005;2(2):365-368.
Mankaa WE | Kollo B | Doh AS
This study aimed to assess and compare knowledge, attitudes, and practice of contraception among students of both sexes in Cameroon. The authors found that knowledge about sexuality, reproduction, and contraception was low especially among males, younger students, and those who were not sexually active. Risky attitudes and practices included multiplicity of partners, lack of contraceptive use, and preference for natural methods over modern methods. The authors recommend that the subgroups cited above be given special attention and proposed an educational program for secondary school adolescents.

Ready or not...? Teen sexuality and the troubling discourse of readiness
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Anthropology & Education Quarterly. 2006 Dec;37(4):328-346.
Ashcraft C
The author explores how talk about being "ready" or "not ready" for sex shapes teen and adult understandings of sexuality. She argues that this "discourse of readiness" poses serious threats to teens' identity development, sexual decision making, and the efforts of educators to help them through these processes. To illustrate, she draws from a nine-month ethnographic study of peer educators, examining how they used readiness discourses to make sense of their sexualities. She suggests implications for educators, policy makers, and researchers in anthropology and education.

YOUTH HEALTH NEWS

Youths help to combat HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea
(News Article; Oceania)
27 Nov 2006
Reuters AlertNet
It is estimated that more than 11,000 children are infected with HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea. Save the Children in Papua New Guinea (SCiPNG) is working to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people through its Youth Outreach Project. Project staff and volunteers organize activities to increase HIV/AIDS and STI awareness and to encourage safer sexual behaviours among young people aged 15-25.

Kenya: Government develops youth health policy
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
25 Nov 2006
Capital FM
The Kenyan government has developed an adolescent health and development policy designed to address the health challenges facing youth. The policy is geared towards setting up health services for youth and will address issues of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS.

Egypt: Who will tell them about...
(Feature Article; North Africa)
25 Nov 2006
Gulf News
This article looks at the question of sex education in Egyptian society. Some parents argue that sex education should be taught in schools, while others feel that school should not be a place where sex is discussed. The Egyptian Minister of Education denied there was foreign pressure to introduce compulsory sex education, saying it will be taught "in line with our set of values."

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Volume 6, Number 4727 November 2006