Volume 7, Number 3
5 February 2007

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FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RESEARCH

The importance of chlamydial infections in obstetrics and gynaecology: An update
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Oceania)
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2007 Feb;47(1):2-8.
Currie MJ | Bowden FJ
Chlamydia is now the most common notifiable infectious disease in many countries, a fact that has serious ramifications for the reproductive health of women. This review highlights the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features and reproductive sequelae of the infection. Current screening and management methods are outlined. Obstetricians and gynaecologists are ideally placed to play a major role in the primary prevention of this significant sexually transmitted infection.

Initiation and continuation rates seen in 2-year experience with same day injections of DMPA
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Contraception. 2007 Feb;75(2):84-87.
Nelson A | Katza T
Quick Start/Same Day Start protocols for combined hormonal contraceptive methods have been studied, but experience with longer-acting progestins is less well reported. The study population included 1056 women with a total of 3185 DMPA injections. Continuation rates were not lower among those who utilized Same Day injections compared with On Time starters. The introduction of DMPA as a Same Day injection policy is a safe and efficient way of providing women needed effective contraception within 7 days of the office visit.

Contraceptive considerations for breastfeeding women within Jewish law
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Middle East)
International Breastfeeding Journal. 4 Jan 2007;2(1):1-6.
Chertok I | Zimmerman D
Breast milk has been shown to have multiple benefits to infant health and development. It is important that maternal contraceptive choices consider the effects on lactation. Women who observe traditional Jewish law, halakha, have additional considerations in deciding the order of preference of contraceptive methods due to religious concerns. In addition, uterine bleeding, a common side effect of hormonal methods and IUD, can have a major impact on the quality of intimacy and marital life due to the laws of niddah.

FAMILY PLANNING/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH NEWS

China to reduce fines for low-income couples who violate one-child policy
(News Article; Asia)
29 Jan 20007
IPPF News
Zhang Weiqing, head of China's National Population and Family Planning Commission, has announced that the government will reduce fines for low-income couples who violate the country's one-child-per-family policy. China's one-child-per-family policy seeks to keep the country's population, now 1.3 billion, at about 1.7 billion by 2050. Ethnic minorities and farmers are the only groups legally exempt from the rule nationwide.

Rwanda: Minister launches district pharmacies
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
1 Feb 2007
The New Times: Kigali
The Minister of Health of Rwanda launched the operations of eight pharmacies in Ruhango District. He argued that family planning is one of the health services that must be provided in each district pharmacy as one of the measures of family planning and to protect people against HIV/AIDS. Display and availability of condoms is crucial for mobilizing people about family planning and HIV/AIDS.

Emergency pill for Chilean girls
(News Article; South America)
30 Jan 2007
BBC News
Chile's president has signed a decree so that emergency contraception can be given to girls as young as 14 without their parents' consent. The decree includes an amendment which requires teenagers to receive counselling when they are given the pill.

HIV/AIDS RESEARCH

Infection with trichomonas vaginalis increases the risk of HIV-1 acquisition
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2007 Feb;Online access January 22, 2007 195:698-702.
McClelland S | Sangaré L | Hassan W | Lavreys L | Mandaliya K | Kiarie J | et al.
A prospective study among women in Mombasa Kenya was done to determine whether Trichomonas vaginalis infection was associated with an increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. Among 1335 HIV-1–seronegative women monitored, there were 806 incidents of T. vaginalis infections, and 265 women seroconverted to HIV-1. Trichomoniasis was associated with a 1.52-fold increased risk of HIV-1 acquisition after adjustment for potential confounding factors. Treatment and prevention of T. vaginalis infection could reduce HIV-1 risk in women.

HIV/AIDS and TB: contextual issues and policy choice in programme relationships
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Tropical Medicine & International Health. 2007 Feb;12(2):183-194.
Wang Y | Collins C | Vergis M | Gerein N | Macq J
Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS affect each other closely. Given the rapid spread of the HIV-driven TB epidemic worldwide, the case for establishing some form of relationship between control activities for HIV/AIDS and TB is clear. TB and HIV/AIDS programmes have traditionally maintained their own management, supervision, funding flows and specialist boundaries. This article explores opportunities and challenges for collaboration between the two, through drawing on the expertise in organization and management, policy analysis and disease control of both diseases.

HIV/AIDS NEWS

Studies of AIDS prevention gels halted
(News Article; Global)
31 Jan 2007
The New York Times
Related Press Release: Phase III Trials of Cellulose Sulfate Microbicide for HIV Prevention Closed
Related Press Release: FHI Closes Phase III Trial of Cellulose Sulfate for HIV Prevention — Jan. 31, 2007
Researchers have halted two studies of a vaginal microbicide (Ushercell) that doctors had hoped would prevent HIV infection after results suggested the gel might raise rather than lower that risk. One study involving 1,500 women in South Africa, Benin, Uganda, and India was stopped this week after an independent safety monitoring board saw more HIV infections among women using the gel than those not. The second study involving 1,700 women in Nigeria, was stopped as a precaution although no increased risk of infection has been seen.

Thailand allows copycat AIDS, heart disease drugs
(News Article; Asia)
29 Jan 2007
Banchanont P, Reuters
Thailand's army-appointed government has approved a cheap, copycat version of Abbott Laboratories' Kaletra, an HIV/AIDS treatment. The move, which Thai health officials said would save the country as much as 800 million baht ($24 million) a year, drew flak from the drug industry, but praise from AIDS activists.

AIDS rising among South Africa's rich
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
30 Jan 2007
Reuters
South Africa's AIDS epidemic, often regarded by health workers as a disease of the poor, is in fact spreading quickly among the country's richest and best educated people. Polls showed a rapid increase in HIV infections in professional people and those with full-time employment, both key to South Africa's hopes to spur economic development.

Somalia: Sisters Doing It for Themselves
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
1 Feb 2007
UN Integrated Regional Information Networks
Somali women are taking the initiative in the fight against AIDS with a program to educate their peers about this subject. An extensive consultative process, conducted by the UNICEF, led to the development of a women's training manual in the local Somali language, which trained women to reach other women in their hometowns. Peer educators identified key issues that place women at greater risk of HIV, including female genial mutilation, lack of education and poverty.

Burma’s uphill struggle to contain HIV/AIDS
(News Article; Asia)
2 Feb 2007
IRIN News
Isolated Myanmar is grappling with one of the worst HIV/AIDS epidemics in Asia. It is a struggle made even more challenging by the limits of international aid given to the authoritarian government. Although condom use has more than tripled since 1999, and access to antiretroviral treatment has increased markedly, HIV/AIDS services need to be significantly scaled up, according to the UNAIDS country director in Myanmar.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH

The proximate determinants of fertility and birth intervals in Egypt
(Research Article; North Africa)
Demographic Research. 30 Jan 2007;16(3):59-96.
Baschieri A | Hinde A
A study was conducted to assess the determinants of birth interval length among married women. The aim of the analysis was to see whether DHS calendar data are sufficiently detailed to account for all variation among individual women in birth interval duration. Birth intervals are determined mainly by the use of modern methods of contraception (the IUD being more effective than the pill). Breastfeeding and post-partum amenorrhoea both inhibit conception, and the effect of breastfeeding remains even after the period of amenorrhoea has ended.

Waist circumference in the prediction of obesity-related adverse pregnancy outcomes
(Research Article; South America)
Cadernos de Saúde Pública. 2007 Feb;Online access 2 Feb, 2007. 23(2):391-398.
Wendland E | Duncan BB | Mengue SS | | et al
The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic properties of waist circumference in the prediction of obesity-related gestational outcomes. Pregnant women 20 years or older were consecutively enrolled in six Brazilian State capitals from 1991 to 1995. After following the women and charting birth outcomes, regression analysis suggested that waist circumference predicted obesity-related adverse pregnancy outcomes at least as well as BMI.

Labour and perinatal outcome in women at term with one previous lower-segment Caesarean: A review of 1000 consecutive cases
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Asia)
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2007 Feb;47(1):31-36.
Tan PC | Subramaniam RN | Omar SZ
This study compared the outcome in 1000 women at term with one lower transverse Caesarean that was suitable for a trial of labour. Trial of labour was associated with a shorter hospital stay. A successful trial of labour after one Caesarean was associated with the best outcome underscoring the importance of patient selection for a trial of labour.

Comparison of levator ani muscle defects and function in women with and without pelvic organ prolapse
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2007 Feb;Online access February 1, 2007. 109(2):295-302.
DeLancey JOL | Morgan DM | Fenner DE | Kearney R | Guire K | Miller JM | et al
Related News Article: Pelvic prolapse linked to vaginal delivery
Muscle damage caused during vaginal childbirth is associated with a serious gynecological condition called pelvic organ prolapse later in life. This study found that 55% of the women with prolapse had major defects in a muscle called the levator ani (which supports the bladder and uterus), compared with 16% of the women who didn't have prolapse. They also found that particularly high rates of pelvic organ prolapse were associated with the use of forceps during vaginal delivery.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NEWS

Nigeria: Natural cycle IVF is here to stay, says Ajayi
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
1 Feb 2007
The Vanguard
The practices of drug-free fertility treatment and natural-cycle in vitro fertilization are becoming more acceptable in Nigeria. In Nigeria, there is a move towards gentler stimulation with lower doses of drugs to harvest eggs from women’s ovaries. A number of specialists now favor this less stressful option, despite the fact that pregnancy rate by this method is lower for each treatment (approximately as much as 10 percent lower), compared with two or three times that rate when more eggs and embryos are produced with induced in-vitro fertilization.

China: City plans special care sites for new mothers
(News Article; Asia)
31 Jan 2007
Shanghai Daily
Shanghai plans to establish four new emergency centers for pregnant women with health problems this year to make room for an expected baby boom. The emergency centers will mainly target pregnant women with heart disease and high blood pressure, which can cause problems during childbirth.

India: Blogs help raise social issues in Madhya Pradesh
(News Article; Asia)
1 Feb 2007
Indo-Asian News Service
Blogs are quickly catching on in Madhya Pradesh where they provide a platform for activists and officials to voice concern on social issues like safe motherhood and the plight of children. To raise concern about and bring visibility to the issue of maternal deaths and factors impacting it, the safe motherhood blog helps to publicize issues at the district level that rarely find a place in the state level media.

MEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH

Swazi men’s contraceptive knowledge, attitudes, and practices
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Journal of Transcultural Nursing. 2007 Jan;Online access 2 Feb, 2007. 18(1):5-11.
Ziyane IS | Ehlers VJ
This study investigated Swazi men's contraceptive knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Thirty adolescent men and 86 adult men from urban and rural areas participated in focus group interviews. Adult Swazi men indicated that men were the sole decision makers about sexual and reproductive issues. Adolescent men expressed contradictory notions in expecting girls to refuse unprotected sex, but maintaining that men were the sole decision makers about sexual matters. Contraceptive services were not readily accessible to men in Swaziland.

Multi-institutional analysis of long-term outcome for stages T1–T2 prostate cancer treated with permanent seed implantation
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics. 2007 Feb;Online access February 1, 2007. 67(2):327-333.
Zelefsky MJ | Kuban DA | Levy LB | Potters L | Beyer DC | Blasko JC | et al
Related News Article: Prostate cancer patients see high survival rates with seed implants
More than 90 percent of men who receive appropriate radiation dose levels with permanent radiation seed implants to treat their prostate cancer are cancer-free eight years after diagnosis. Seed implants have become a widely-accepted treatment option for early stage prostate cancer because of the high effectiveness and because it often spares patients from side effects of other treatments, such as impotence and incontinence. The seeds contain a radiation dose that delivers concentrated radiation to the prostate, sparing surrounding organs.

Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
The New England Journal of Medicine. 2007 Feb;Online access February 1, 2007. 356(5):479-485.
Henley DV | Lipson N | Korach KS | Bloch CA
Related News Article: Oils 'make male breasts develop'
Using lavender and tea tree oil products can cause young boys to develop breast tissue because the oils could mimic the actions of female hormones and inhibit the effects of male hormones, and therefore disrupt the endocrine system in the body.

MEN'S HEALTH NEWS

Circumcision fever begins to sweep Swaziland
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
2 Feb 2007
Agence France Presse
In Swaziland, approximately 40% of adults are living with HIV/AIDS, the highest infection rate anywhere in the world according to UNICEF. Trials in Kenya and Uganda have shown that circumcision, while not providing complete protection for the man, dramatically reduces the number of new HIV infections. Many nurses are bringing in their husbands and sons for circumcision as its popularity grows. Swaziland's health ministry is eager to roll out a mass circumcision program, but is awaiting advice first from the World Health Organisation.

POPULATION RESEARCH

Asian ethnicity is associated with reduced pregnancy outcomes after assisted reproductive technology
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Asia)
Fertility and Sterility. 2007 Feb;87(2):297-302.
Purcell K | Schembri M | Frazier L | Rall M | Shen S | Croughan M
The purpose of the study was to determine whether success rates were similar in Asian and Caucasian women undergoing infertility treatment. Infertile Asian women differed only minimally from their Caucasian counterparts in baseline characteristics, and treatment response had a decreased clinical pregnancy rate and a decreased live-birth rate. Subsequent multivariate analysis demonstrated that Asian ethnicity was an independent predictor of poor outcome. After treatment, infertile Asian women have significantly fewer pregnancies than do Caucasian women.

POPULATION NEWS

China to provide free family planning services to migratory population
(News Article; Asia)
1 Feb 2007
Xinhua
The minister in charge of the National Population and Family Planning Commission reported that China will provide free family planning services to the millions of migrating populations. In the future, the registration of migrating populations in their working and living places rather than in their registered permanent residence will be strengthened, so as to better monitor migration and improve family planning services.

Vietnam infertility rate increasing: doctors
(News Article; Asia)
30 Jan 2007
Thanh Nien
Doctors at some major Ho Chi Minh City hospitals report an increasing number of couples coming in for infertility treatment; they attribute it to the busy, industrialized lifestyle. More women were putting off having children until 30 or more, which considerably reduced their fertility. One hospital reported receiving 10,000-15,000 new cases a year, up from 1,500 just two years ago.

Birth rates 'must be curbed to win war on global poverty'
(News Article; Global)
31 Jan 2007
In a report released on January, 31, 2007, members of the United Kingdom's Parliament challenged world leaders to put the contraceptive pill and the condom at the centre of their efforts to alleviate global poverty, tackle starvation and even help to avert global warming. The Members of Parliament have stated that the earth's population will approach an unsustainable total of 10.5 billion unless contraception is put back at the top of the agenda for international efforts to alleviate global poverty.

WOMEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH

Alternative cervical cancer prevention in low-resource settings: Experiences of visual inspection by acetic acid with single-visit approach in the first five provinces of Thailand
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Asia)
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2007 Feb;47(1):54-60.
Palanuwong B
A visual inspection by acetic acid followed by an effective treatment using cryotherapy as a single-visit approach was recently introduced in five provinces having low Pap smear screening rates in Thailand. This comparative study, which included 88,554 screening visits, shows a significant increase in the screening coverage of five provinces after the program implementation. As a result of the large substitution of VIA/SVA for Pap smears, the costs of screening were lowered by as much as $US362 300 (66.8%) in the first year.

Clinical and histological significance of atypical glandular cell on Pap smear
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Middle East)
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2007 Feb;47(1):46-49.
Behtash N | Nazari Z | Fakhrejahani F | Khafaf A | Azar EG
This study evaluated the association between atypical glandular cells (AGC) on Pap smear and significant pathological finding to tailor management protocols. Between 2002 and 2005, 41 of 60 women with AGC on Pap smears underwent colposcopy-directed biopsy, endocervical curettage, endometrial sampling and cervical conisation. AGC on Pap smear was associated with a clinically significant diagnosis in approximately 20% of the cases.

WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS

End to HIV/AIDS a tall order in face of violence
(News Article; Global)
24 Jan 2007
Mulama J, Inter Press Service News Agency
Violence against women worldwide is fueling the spread of HIV in the population, and unwillingness among some governments to acknowledge the issue will continue to undermine prevention and education efforts, advocates said at the World Social Forum in Nairobi, Kenya.

Pakistani rape victim says attacks increasing
(News Article; Asia)
1 Feb 2007
Reuters
A Pakistani rape victim who became a prominent women's rights campaigner said that violence against women is increasing in Pakistan because authorities are not serious about punishing the perpetrators. Mukhtaran Mai, who was gang-raped in 2002 on the orders of a traditional village council, was appalled by a recent, similar attack on a 16-year-old girl. Mai was an illiterate villager at the time of her rape but took her attackers to court in a case that gained international prominence and helped galvanize public opinion about changing the country's existing laws.

YOUTH HEALTH RESEARCH

Factors associated with safe sex among public school students in Minas Gerais, Brazil
(Research Article; South America)
Cadernos de Saúde Pública. 2007 Jan;Online access 2 Feb, 2007. 23(1):43-51.
Viana FJM | Fauìndes A | De Mello MB | De Sousa MH
A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate factors associated with safe sex among sexually active public school students in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The indicators examined included gender, age, schooling, ethnicity, religion, importance attributed to religion, mothers' education, and prior exposure to any sex education. The study found that male adolescents were more apt to practice safe sex than females, which agrees with the known greater power of males than females to determine the conditions of their sexual practices.

Explaining associations between adolescent substance use and condom use
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Europe)
Journal of Adolescent Health. 2007 Feb;40(2):180.e1-180.e18.
Parkes A | Wight D | Henderson M | Hart G
This study examined different explanations for associations between adolescent substance use and lower condom use, in terms of the event-specific effects of alcohol or drugs, psychosocial factors, and sexual behaviors (intercourse frequency, greater number of partners and pill use). Regular use of any of the three substances at age 14 or 16 was associated with lower condom use at age 16, adjusting for gender and social background.

Risk and protective factors associated with the transition to a first sexual relationship with an older partner
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; North America)
Journal of Adolescent Health . 2007 Feb;40(2):135-143.
Manlove JS | Ryan S | Franzetta K
This study examines whether family, individual, peer and school characteristics are associated with the transition to a first sexual experience with a partner who is three or more years older. Younger and foreign-born teens, with lower parent education, with older friendship networks, and attending a school that spans multiple grades, had greater odds of having a first sexual experience with an older partner than with a similar-aged partner. Hispanics and premenarche females had lower odds of having an older sexual partner than of abstaining from sexual intercourse.

Extended cycling of combined hormonal contraceptives in adolescents: Physician views and prescribing practices
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; North America)
Journal of Adolescent Health . 2007 Feb;40(2):151-157.
Gerschultz KL | Sucato GS | Hennon TR | Murray PJ | Gold MA
222 North American physicians responded to an online survey about their practice of prescribing extended cycles of combined hormonal contraception, in which hormones are taken for longer than 21 days and menstruation is delayed to adolescents. 90% reported having ever prescribed extended cycles of hormonal contraception to adolescents, and 33% said extended cycles make up more than 10% of their total combined hormonal contraceptive prescriptions to accommodate patient requests and to treat common gynecologic conditions.

YOUTH HEALTH NEWS

Malawi: BLM opens drop-in centre in Karonga
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
2 Feb 2007
Nation Malawi
Banja la Mtsogolo (BLM), an organisation that deals with reproductive health, opened a drop-in center in the northern district of Karonga for youth in the area. The organization decided to open the center to integrate the youths into reproductive health and HIV/AIDS campaign. The aim of integrating young people into these activities is to help to achieve the goal of a healthy country through healthy youth.

Queen Rania becomes UNICEF’s first eminent advocate for children at the World Economic Forum
(News Article; Global)
26 Jan 2007
UNICEF
UNICEF and Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan signed an agreement at the World Economic Forum in Davos naming the Queen as UNICEF’s first ever Eminent Advocate for Children. As Eminent Advocate, Queen Rania will work to raise awareness of children’s issues and promote achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, which are directly related to the health, education and well-being of children.

SPECIAL REPORTS/PROFILES/RESOURCES

Imagining a world without AIDS: A history of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative
(Summary Report; Global)
2006 Dec;
International AIDS Vaccine Initiative
The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative's 'Imagining a World without AIDS: A History of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative' examines IAVI's history since its founding in 1996, including achievements and challenges. It also includes a timeline of critical points for IAVI and the AIDS vaccine field, as well as a review of the research and development, policy and advocacy initiatives that have been undertaken as part of the effort to speed a safe and effective AIDS vaccine for use throughout the world.

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Volume 7, Number 3 5 February 2007