Volume 7, Number 26
16 July 2007

Pop Reporter Tip: Get your Pop Reporter your way! To change the way your issue is delivered to you, click the "Modify Profile" link on The Pop Reporter Web pages. In your subscription profile you may elect to receive The Pop Reporter in one of four ways: plain text e-mail, web link notification in an e-mail, .html e-mail, or .pdf file attachment.

FAMILY PLANNING RESEARCH

Contextual influences on modern contraceptive use in sub-Saharan Africa
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
American Journal of Public Health. 2007 Jul;97(7):1233-1240.
Stephenson R | Baschieri A | Clements S | Hennink M | Madise N
The authors examined the role of community-level factors in explaining geographic variations in modern contraceptive use in 6 African countries. They analyzed Demographic and Health Survey and contextual data sources with multilevel modeling techniques to identify factors contributing to geographic variations in women's use of modern contraceptives. The authors found significant associations between several community-level factors and reported use of modern contraceptive methods. They also identified several pathways of influence between the community and the individual. Aspects of a community's sociocultural and economic environment appear to influence a woman's use of modern contraceptive methods.

Women with an unmet need for contraception in developing countries and their reasons for not using a method
(Report; Global)
New York, New York, Guttmacher Institute, 2007 (Occasional Report No. 37)
Sedgh G | Hussain R | Bankole A | Singh S
Related Press Release: Millions of women at risk of unplanned pregnancy in developing nations
The concept of unmet need for contraception has been central to international family planning efforts for decades, and it is perhaps more relevant to programs now than ever. This report provides a review of the literature addressing the measurement of unmet need, the obstacles faced by women with unmet need, and the potential impact of meeting unmet need. The authors also provide current estimates of the level of unmet need regionally and nationally, and among key population subgroups, and briefly review how the level of unmet need has changed over the past decade in the developing world. They present in-depth analyses at the regional and national levels and among key subgroups within countries of the reasons why women who do not wish to become pregnant do not use contraceptives. International family planning, which took shape as a movement more than 50 years ago, was motivated at first by concerns about population growth. The field has since shifted its priorities and is now focused on enabling women and couples to meet their own fertility aspirations. Meeting women's unmet need for contraception is thus central to the international family planning program efforts. Moreover, studies of the potential demographic impact of addressing unmet need have demonstrated that while family planning and reproductive health programs might focus on supporting the well-being of individuals, meeting unmet need can also serve broader agendas of social and economic development.

Women's attitudes towards mechanisms of action of family planning methods: Survey in primary health centres in Pamplona, Spain
(Research Article; Europe)
BMC Women's Health. 2007 Jun 27;7(1)
de Irala J | Lopez Del Burgo C | Lopez de Fez C | Arredondo J | Mikolajczyk R
Informed consent in family planning includes knowledge of mechanism of action. Some methods of family planning occasionally work after fertilization. Knowing about postfertilization effects may be important to some women before choosing a certain family planning method. The objective of this survey is to explore women's attitudes towards postfertilization effects of family planning methods, and beliefs and characteristics possibly associated with those attitudes. Cross-sectional survey in a sample of 755 potentially fertile women, aged 18-49, from Primary Care Health Centres in Pamplona, Spain. Participants were given a 30-item, self-administered, anonymous questionnaire about family planning methods and medical and surgical abortion. Logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with women's attitudes towards postfertilization effects. The response rate was 80%. The majority of women were married, held an academic degree and had no children. Forty percent of women would not consider using a method that may work after fertilization but before implantation and 57% would not consider using one that may work after implantation. While 35.3% of the sample would stop using a method if they learned that it sometimes works after fertilization, this percentage increased to 56.3% when referring to a method that sometimes works after implantation. Women who believe that human life begins at fertilization and those who consider it is important to distinguish between natural and induced embryo loss were less likely to consider the use of a method with postfertilization effects. Information about potential postfertilization effects of family planning methods may influence women's acceptance and choice of a particular family planning method. Additional studies in other populations are necessary to evaluate whether these beliefs are important to those populations. (26p)

FAMILY PLANNING NEWS

Little pleasure for condom maker in China
(News Article; Asia)
10 Jul 2007
Kwok V, Forbes

Condom, pill shortage risks Philippine birth control
(News Article; Asia)
11 Jul 2007
Crimmins C, Reuters

India: 56 years on, population battle continues
(News Article; Asia)
12 Jul 2007
The Times of India

Pakistan: 800 religious scholars to educate people on family planning
(News Article; Asia)
12 Jul 2007
Daily Times

HIV/AIDS and STIs RESEARCH

Unexpected low prevalence of HIV among fertile women in Luanda, Angola. Does war prevent the spread of HIV?
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
International Journal of STD and AIDS. 2007 Jul;18(7):467-471.
Strand RT | Dias LF | Bergstrom S | Andersson S
We studied HIV prevalence and risk factors for HIV infection among fertile women in Luanda for the purposes of obtaining background data for planning of interventions as well as to look into the association of armed conflicts and HIV prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. The HIV-1 prevalence was 1.7% in an antenatal care group (n = 517) and 1.9% in a family planning group (n = 518). Socioeconomic and sexual background factors did not significantly differ HIV-positive from HIV-negative women. Data on armed conflict factors were matched with HIV prevalence figures among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa. The level of armed conflicts was found to be inversely related to HIV prevalence. The low HIV seroprevalence in Luanda is in sharp contrast to the capitals of neighbouring countries. While the spread of HIV may have been hampered by the long armed conflict in the country, it is feared to increase rapidly with the return of soldiers and refugees in a post-war situation. The challenge for preventive actions is urgent. This example may be relevant to other areas with a recent end-of-war situation.

Fostering disability-inclusive HIV / AIDS programs in northeast India: A participatory study
(Research Article; Asia)
BMC Public Health. 2007 Jun 26;7(1)
Morrow M | Arunkumar MC | Pearce E | Dawson HE
Manipur and Nagaland in northeast India are among the Indian states with the highest prevalence of HIV. Most prevention and care programs focus on identified "high risk" groups, but recent data suggest the epidemic is increasing among the general population, primarily through heterosexual sex. People with disability (PWD) in India are more likely than the general population to be illiterate, unemployed and impoverished, but little is known of their HIV risk. This project aimed to enable HIV programs in Manipur and Nagaland to be more disability-inclusive. The objectives were to: explore HIV risk and risk perception in relation to PWD among HIV and disability programmers, and PWD themselves; identify HIV-related education and service needs and preferences of PWD; and utilise findings and stakeholder consultation to draft practical guidelines for inclusion of disability into HIV programming. Data were collected through a survey and several qualitative tools. The findings revealed that participants believe PWD in these states are potentially vulnerable to HIV transmission due to social exclusion and poverty, lack of knowledge, gender norms and obstacles to accessing HIV programs. Neither HIV nor disability organisations currently address the risks, needs and preferences of PWD. The Guidelines produced in the project and disseminated to stakeholders emphasise opportunities for taking action with minimal cost and resources, such as using the networks and expertise of both HIV and disability sectors, producing HIV material in a variety of formats, and promoting accessibility to mainstream HIV education and services. The human rights obligations and public health benefits of modifying national and state policies and programs to assist this highly disadvantaged population are also highlighted.

International perspectives, progress, and future challenges of paediatric HIV infection
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Global)
Lancet. 2007 Jul 7;370(9581):68-80.
Prendergast A | Tudor-Williams G | Jeena P | Burchett S | Goulder P
Paediatric HIV infection is a growing health challenge worldwide, with an estimated 1500 new infections every day. In developed countries, well established prevention programmes keep mother-to-child transmission rates at less than 2%. However, in developing countries, where transmission rates are 25-40%, interventions are available to only 5-10% of women. Children with untreated natural infection progress rapidly to disease, especially in resource-poor settings where mortality is greater than 50% by 2 years of age. As in adult infection, antiretroviral therapy has the potential to rewrite the natural history of HIV, but is accessible only to a small number of children needing therapy. We focus on the clinical and immunological features of HIV that are specific to paediatric infection, and the formidable challenges ahead to ensure that all children worldwide have access to interventions that have proved successful in developed countries.

The political economy of marriage and HIV: The ABC approach, "safe" infidelity, and managing moral risk in Uganda
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
American Journal of Public Health. 2007 Jul;97(7):1198-1208.
Parikh SA
Research has shown that married women's greatest risk for HIV infection is their husbands' extramarital sexual activities. Using 6 months of ethnographic research in southeastern Uganda, I examined how the social and economic contexts surrounding men's extramarital sexuality and the dynamics of marriage put men and women at risk for HIV infection. I found that Uganda's HIV prevention messages may be inadvertently contributing to increased difficulty in acknowledging HIV risk and to newer forms of sexual secrecy and that structural determinants, including persistent poverty, intersect with gender inequalities to shape marital risk. After examining a community effort to regulate men's sexuality, I suggest that HIV prevention strategies should focus more on endogenous forms of risk reduction while simultaneously addressing structural factors that facilitate opportunities for men's extramarital sex.

HIV/AIDS and STIs NEWS

Burundi: Sex and drugs leave Bujumbura's homeless at risk of HIV
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
11 Jul 2007
IRIN

A new tool for measuring stigma
(News Article; Global)
11 Jul 2007
IRIN

Libya HIV death sentences upheld
(News Article; North Africa)
11 Jul 2007
BBC News

India firm plans HIV health cover
(News Article; Asia)
10 Jul 2007
Raman S, BBC News

Australia: Starpharma begins trials on HIV gel
(News Article; Global)
10 Jul 2007
Australian Associated Press (AAP)

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH

Birth attendants trained in prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission provide care in rural Cameroon, Africa
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health. 2007 Jul-Aug;52(4)
Wanyu B | Diom E | Mitchell P | Tih PM | Meyer DJ
Since 1984, Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Board's Life Abundant Primary health care program has established primary health centers in remote villages and trained literate women in these villages as birth attendants to offer antenatal care, low-risk delivery, and triage of high-risk mothers to larger health facilities. In 2002, the birth attendants were trained to provide Prevention of Maternal-to-Child HIV Transmission (PMTCT) services, including counseling, voluntary testing, performing oral rapid HIV tests (OraQuick; OraSure Technologies, Inc., Bethlehem, PA), posttest counseling, and administering single-dose nevirapine to HIV-positive women, to be taken in labor, and to their newborns. Ongoing supervision is provided by nurse supervisors. Between July 2002 and June 2005, 30 PMTCT-trained birth attendants in 20 villages counseled 2331 pregnant women and tested 2310 (99.1%) for HIV. Eighty-two women had a positive OraQuick HIV test (3.5%). Forty-two of these mothers were delivered by the trained birth attendants, with 88.1% of mothers and 85.7% of newborns receiving single-dose nevirapine prophylaxis. Nevirapine-treated babies were tested after 15 months of age, and two of 13 HIV-exposed infants had a positive rapid HIV antibody test (15.3% transmission rate with treatment). Program challenges include: maintaining adequate supplies of HIV tests kits and medications, supervising and supporting the PMCT-trained birth attendants on a regular basis, and achieving exclusive breastfeeding and early weaning.

Traditional beliefs and practices in the postpartum period in Fujian Province, China: A qualitative study
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Asia)
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2007 Jun 21;7(8)
Raven JH | Chen Q | Tolhurst RJ | Garner P
Zuo yuezi is the month postpartum in China associated with a variety of traditional beliefs and practices. The authors explored the current status of zuo yuezi from social, cultural and western medical perspectives. The authors interviewed family members (36) and health workers (8) in Fujian Province, selecting one rural and one rapidly developing urban county. The authors asked about their traditional beliefs and their behaviour postpartum. We used a framework approach to identify main themes. The authors categorised reported behaviour against their probable effects on health, drawing on Western standards. Respondents reported that zuo yuezi was commonly practiced in urban and rural families to help the mother regain her strength and protect her future health. Zuo yuezi included: dietary precautions, such as eating more food and avoiding cold food; behavioural precautions, such as staying inside the home, avoiding housework and limiting visitors; hygiene precautions, such as restricting bathing and dental hygiene; and practices associated with infant feeding, including supplementary feeding and giving honeysuckle herb to the infant. Respondents reported that the main reasons for adhering to these practices were respect for tradition, and following the advice of elders. Categorised against Western medical standards, several zuo yuezi practices are beneficial, including eating more, eating protein rich food, avoiding housework, and daily vulval and perineal hygiene. A few are potentially harmful, including giving honeysuckle herb, and avoiding dental hygiene. Some women reported giving infants supplementary feeds, although zuo yuezi emphasises breast feeding. Zuo yuezi is an important ritual in Fujian. In medical terms, most practices are beneficial, and could be used by health staff to promote health in this period. Further research on reported potentially harmful practices, such as supplements to breast feeding, is needed.

Women's descriptions of postpartum health problems: Preliminary findings from Matlab, Bangladesh
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Asia)
Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health. 2007 Jul-Aug;52(4):351-360.
Sibley LM | Blum LS | Kalim N | Hruschka D | Edmonds JK
Complications of childbirth kill more than 500,000 women each year. Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of death. Because nearly half the women who give birth at home in developing countries are cared for by unskilled attendants, it is critical to understand how women and their caregivers recognize bleeding and decide to seek help when needed. Using an approach that combined systematic qualitative data collection and multivariate analysis, the authors identified local cultural theories that women and traditional birth attendants in rural Bangladesh use to recognize and care for postpartum problems, including PPH. These preliminary findings will be used to further explore cultural norms related to PPH and their possible modes of transmission. The overall approach may be used to develop or improve birth preparedness and complication readiness, a core global safe motherhood intervention.

Midwifery education and maternal and neonatal health issues: Challenges in Pakistan
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Asia)
Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health. 2007 Jul-Aug;52(4):398-405.
Rukanuddin RJ | Ali TJ | McManis B
Although numerous health care interventions have been implemented in Pakistan, the high maternal and neonatal mortality rates still remain a challenge. Developed countries have reduced maternal and neonatal mortality rates by improving the skill and knowledge levels of nurse-midwives. This paper reviews maternal and neonatal health issues, challenges in current midwifery education, and the role of government and international agencies in Pakistan. The exact maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Pakistan are unknown; a census has not occurred since 1998, and data provided in more recent studies were presented in summary format. A number of factors that contribute to the high mortality rate could easily be controlled by using competent nurse-midwives throughout all levels of the Pakistani health care system. A reduction in the maternal mortality rate is likely to occur if the Pakistan government and international agencies work together to implement specific recommendations in maternal and neonatal health. These recommendations include: 1) holding an invitational conference; 2) strengthening the existing midwifery and Lady Health Visitor curricula; 3) pilot testing an expanded midwifery program; and 4) advocating for and obtaining political commitments and resources for midwifery education.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NEWS

Jamaica: Antiretroviral drugs reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission possibility
(News Article; Central America and the Caribbean)
8 Jul 2007
Wisdom T, Jamaica Gleaner

A salve amid Darfur woes: Better midwives
(News Article; North Africa)
10 Jul 2007
Baldauf S, The Christian Science Monitor

Malawi's maternal mortality rate high - report
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
12 Jul 2007
Kashoti D, The Daily Times

Kenya: Minister calls for measures to curb maternal deaths
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
13 Jul 2007
Kinoti L, The Standard

GENDER and HEALTH RESEARCH

Temporal trends in sexually transmitted infection prevalence and condom use following introduction of the female condom to Madagascar sex workers
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
International Journal of STD and AIDS. 2007 Jul;18(7):461-466.
Hoke TH | Feldblum PJ | Van Damme K | Nasution MD | Grey TW
We followed 1000 sex workers in Madagascar for 18 months to assess whether adding female condoms to male condom distribution led to increased protection levels and decreased sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For months 1-6, participants had access to male condoms only; in the final 12 months, they had access to male and female condoms. We interviewed participants about condom use every two months and tested for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis every six months. Following six months of male condom distribution, participants used protection in 78% of sex acts with clients. Following female condom introduction, protection at months 12 and 18 rose to 83% and 88%, respectively. Aggregate STI prevalence declined from 52% at baseline to 50% at month 6. With the female condom added, STI prevalence dropped to 41% and 40% at months 12 and 18, respectively. We conclude female condom introduction is associated with increased use of protection to levels that reduce STI risk.

The benefits of participatory methodologies to develop effective community dialogue in the context of a microbicide trial feasibility study in Mwanza, Tanzania
(Research Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
BMC Public Health. 2007 Jul 2;7
Vallely A | Shagi C | Kasindi S | Desmond N | Lees S
During a microbicide trial feasibility study among women at high-risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections in Mwanza, northern Tanzania we used participatory research tools to facilitate open dialogue and partnership between researchers and study participants. A community-based sexual and reproductive health service was established in ten city wards. Wards were divided into seventy-eight geographical clusters, representatives at cluster and ward level elected and a city-level Community Advisory Committee (CAC) with representatives from each ward established. Workshops and community meetings at ward and city-level were conducted to explore project-related concerns using tools adapted from participatory learning and action techniques such as listing, scoring, ranking, chapatti diagrams and pair-wise matrices. Key issues identified included beliefs that blood specimens were being sold for witchcraft purposes; worries about specula not being clean; inadequacy of transport allowances; and delays in reporting laboratory test results to participants. To date, the project has responded by inviting members of the CAC to visit the laboratory to observe how blood and genital specimens are prepared; demonstrated the use of the autoclave to community representatives; raised reimbursement levels; introduced HIV rapid testing in the clinic; and streamlined laboratory reporting procedures. Participatory techniques were instrumental in promoting meaningful dialogue between the research team, study participants and community representatives in Mwanza, allowing researchers and community representatives to gain a shared understanding of project-related priority areas for intervention.

GENDER and HEALTH NEWS

Botswana: Measures against commercial sex work revealed
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
11 Jul 2007
Chwaane T, Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)

Hormone inhibitor promising for hard-to-treat prostate cancer
(News Article; Global)
10 Jul 2007
Science Daily
Related Press Release: Hormone inhibitor promising for hard-to-treat prostate cancer

Men with fertility problems suffer psychologically too
(News Article; Global)
Medical News Today

Kenya: Vaccine response to cervical cancer
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
10 Jul 2007
Gathura G, The Nation (Nairobi)

POPULATION/FERTILITY/DEMOGRAPHY RESEARCH

Simply not there: The impact of international migration of nurses and midwives -- perspectives from Guyana
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; South America)
Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health. 2007 Jul-Aug;52(4):392-397.
Anderson BA | Isaacs AA
The shortage of nurses and midwives across the world and the migratory trends of these scarce professionals -primarily from low-income countries to fill staffing needs in high-income countries - are critical international health care issues. This article reviews some of the demographic, educational, and socioeconomic factors driving this global trend, the impact on health care delivery in low-income countries, and the effect on the implementation of global public health initiatives. Nurses and midwives migrate from low-income nations while concurrently qualified applicants are rejected from educational programs in high-income countries. The impact of migration on the viability of the health care delivery system in Guyana, South America, is presented as an exemplar nation within the broader global context of ethical dilemmas, pressures on educational systems, and the anti- and promigration arguments.

The value of children in Palestine and Turkey: Differences and the consequences for fertility
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Middle East)
Current Sociology. 2007 Jul;55(4):527-544.
Klaus D | Suckow J | Nauck B
Recent data on fertility rates indicate tremendous differences between Palestine and Turkey: whereas the total fertility rate has decreased remarkably over the last few decades in Turkey, a rather stable, high fertility rate can be observed for Palestine. This study applies a reconceptualization of the value of children approach to explain this difference. Analyses were performed using a sample of 249 Palestinian and 622 Turkish mothers from the 2002 international Value of Children study. In a first step, it is revealed that in Palestine children are more important for parents' comfort and social esteem than in Turkey, while only slight country differences are found with respect to children's affection value. This is in line with the study's hypotheses. However, in a second step, the country-specific value of children is proved to be of only very limited predictive power with regard to the birth of children of different parity, which contradicts the expectations. A more detailed analysis suggests that it is rational to follow cultural routines with respect to children in Palestine but not in Turkey.

POPULATION/FERTILITY/DEMOGRAPHY NEWS

What will next census show? Yemen keeps growing and growing
(News Article; Middle East)
12 Jul 2007
Al-Mayyasi Y, Yemen Times

World population day: Respect women’s right to reproductive health
(News Article; Asia)
11 Jul 2007
Pakistan Daily Times

Philippines: NSO sees more than 12M population hike
(News Article; Asia)
8 Jul 2007
Plata G, Sun Star Davao

Tanzania: High population growth threatens MDGs in Zanzibar
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
11 Jul 2007
UN Integrated Regional Information Networks

Bangladesh must keep population growth under control
(News Article; Asia)
11 Jul 2007
People's Daily Online

ADOLESCENT HEALTH RESEARCH

Knowledge and practice of family planning and HIV-prevention behaviour among just delivered adolescents in Ecuador: The problem of adolescent pregnancies
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; South America)
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2007 Aug;276(2):139-144.
Chedraui P | Van Ardenne R | Wendte JF | Quintero JC | Hidalgo L
Adolescents constitute a high risk population for the spreading of sexually transmitted diseases, among them HIV/AIDS. Knowledge regarding reproductive issues among them is a key point in order to establish appropriate prevention programs. The objective was to obtain information regarding the knowledge and practice related to family planning and HIV-prevention behaviour among adolescents of low income. Adolescents aged 19 or less delivering at the Enrique C. Sotomayor Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Guayaquil, Ecuador were surveyed in the immediate postpartum period with a structured questionnaire designed for the purpose. During the study period, 357 pregnant adolescents were surveyed. Mean age was 17.2 plus and minus 1.4 years, 30.8% were aged 16 or less. Demographical and obstetrical history differences were found when comparing adolescents in relation to age and educational level. A high rate of mothers had unplanned pregnancies (63.3%) or did not know what family planning was (49.6%). Despite high knowledge of what a condom or an oral contraceptive was, few had used them in the past. The most frequently known family planning methods in this series, which was age dependent, were: oral contraceptives (90.2%), condoms (84.9%), parenteral (66.7%) and intrauterine devices (63.3%). The majority knew what HIV/AIDS infection was, the most important sources of knowledge being: television, high school source, and family or relatives. A high rate of adolescents had never had an HIV test performed in the past with one prior tested adolescent resulting in a positive result. There was a high rate of knowledge regarding the most frequent HIV transmission routes: sexual intercourse, contact with infected blood and vertical transmission. In this series, although condom use was the most known way for HIV protection, only 22.2% answered having intercourse protected with this method. In this adolescent series, older age was related to higher knowledge in family planning methods; in global despite finding a relatively high knowledge in family planning and HIV related issues, contraception use and HIV protection behaviour was low.

Predictors of condom use among young adults in South Africa: The Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit National Youth Survey
(Abstract; subscription needed for full text; Sub-Saharan Africa)
American Journal of Public Health. 2007 Jul;97(7):1241-1248.
Hendriksen ES | Pettifor A | Lee SJ | Coates TJ | Rees HV
We examined correlates of condom use among a national random probability sample of sexually experienced young adults aged 15 to 24 years (n=7686) in South Africa. Using data from the Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit National Youth Survey, we conducted gender-stratified bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to determine predictors of whether respondents had used a condom during their most recent sexual intercourse. Condom use at sexual debut and talking with one's first sexual partner about condoms were the most significant predictors of condom use at most recent intercourse. Other significant predictors included high condom use self-efficacy, optimism about the future, and reported behavior change attributable to HIV/AIDS. Young adults who were married or had been involved in a relationship for 6 months or more were significantly less likely to have used a condom during their most recent sexual intercourse. Our findings point to the importance of exposing youths to sexuality education before their sexual debut as well as voluntary counseling and testing and programming that supports young adults, particularly young women, in making informed decisions about sexual intercourse and condoms.

Response rates for providing a blood specimen for HIV testing in a population-based survey of young adults in Zimbabwe
(Research Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
BMC Public Health. 2007 Jul 5;7(1):[23] p.
McNaghten AD | Herold JM | Dube HM | St Louis ME
To determine differences among persons who provided blood specimens for HIV testing compared with those who did not among those interviewed for the population-based Zimbabwe Young Adult Survey (YAS). Chi-square analysis of weighted data to compare demographic and behavioral data of persons interviewed who provided specimens for anonymous testing with those who did not. Prevalence estimation to determine the impact if persons not providing specimens had higher prevalence rates than those who did. Comparing those who provided specimens with those who did not, there was no significant difference by age, residence, education, marital status, perceived risk, sexual experience or number of sex partners for women. A significant difference by sexual experience was found for men. Prevalence estimates did not change substantially when prevalence was assumed to be two times higher for persons not providing specimens. When comparing persons who provided specimens for HIV testing with those who did not, few significant differences were found. If those who did not provide specimens had prevalence rates twice that of those who did, overall prevalence would not be substantially affected. Refusal to provide blood specimens does not appear to have contributed to an underestimation of HIV prevalence.

ADOLESCENT HEALTH NEWS

Antigua: Five Islands youth to benefit from AIDS workshop
(News Article; Central America and the Caribbean)
11 Jul 2007
Beharry A, Antigua Sun

India: Withdraw books on sex education or we will set them on fire
(News Article; Asia)
9 Jul 2007
Lucknow Newsline
Related News Article: Indian minister laments country's lack of sex education
Related News Article: India: Sex education: Hear what students have to say

Kenya: Sex education to begin in high schools
(News Article; Sub-Saharan Africa)
11 Jul 2007
All Africa

Students top Shanghai pregnancy hotline list
(News Article; Asia)
9 Jul 2007
China Daily
Related News Article: Shanghai teen pregnancy blamed on web

Vietnam experiences a "quiet" sexual revolution
(Feature Article; Asia)
10 Jul 2007
McCool G, Reuters

"The Pop Reporter" (R) Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health/Center for Communication Programs/INFO Project. When you click on any link, your Internet browser will access a Web site not connected to "The Pop Reporter." Information accessed through these links and contained in this issue of "The Pop Reporter" does not necessarily state or reflect the views of the INFO Project, Johns Hopkins University, or the US Agency for International Development. All links were verified at the date of mailing. Your computer and/or network configuration regarding Java script, cookies, and other security issues may not allow you to view certain Web sites. Consult your computer technician if you are having problems.

Problems and comments can be addressed to mdadamo@jhuccp.org.

Archives available at http://www.infoforhealth.org/popreporter/.

Subscribe at http://prds.infoforhealth.org/signup.php.

Modify your account at http://prds.infoforhealth.org/modify.php.

Forward this message to a friend who could benefit from INFO project activities!

The Pop Reporter--Delivering thought-provoking global health news to your desktop.

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: The INFO Project

Volume 7, Number 2616 July 2007