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Annotated Bibliography Of Nigerian Youth-Focused Hiv And Sexual And Reproductive Health Project Publications (Grey Literature), Population Council Jan 2015

Annotated Bibliography Of Nigerian Youth-Focused Hiv And Sexual And Reproductive Health Project Publications (Grey Literature), Population Council

HIV and AIDS

Adolescents and young adults (15–24 years) constitute about one-third of the total population of Nigeria, and their well-being is intricately tied to the country’s prospects for sustainable development. The HIV prevalence among 15–24-year-old men and women is 2.5 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively. In 2013, it was estimated that 160,000 adolescents (aged 10–19) in Nigeria were living with HIV. Rightfully, an increasing focus is being paid to the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of young Nigerians, however it is essential that the dialogue and interventions around young people’s SRH be informed and take into account the body of evidence available …


Are Parents Talking To Adolescents About Sexuality? Evidence From Four Slums In Ghana, Selina F. Esantsi, Francis Onyango, Gloria Quansah Asare, Emmanuel Kuffour, Placide Tapsoba, Harriet Birungi, Ian Askew Jan 2015

Are Parents Talking To Adolescents About Sexuality? Evidence From Four Slums In Ghana, Selina F. Esantsi, Francis Onyango, Gloria Quansah Asare, Emmanuel Kuffour, Placide Tapsoba, Harriet Birungi, Ian Askew

Reproductive Health

This evidence brief summarizes the essential information from a part of a larger study that assessed the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of adolescents in four slums in two regions of Ghana. The objective of this brief is to provide evidence to support and facilitate the improvement of parent–adolescent communication on sexuality. This study echoes several other studies by providing evidence that a majority of parents are not opposed to in-school sex education for their children and welcome the idea of empowering themselves (parents) to have productive discussions with their children. Nevertheless, there is a mismatch between the proportion …


Kenya Adolescent Sexual And Reproductive Health Policy, Ministry Of Health Kenya Jan 2015

Kenya Adolescent Sexual And Reproductive Health Policy, Ministry Of Health Kenya

Reproductive Health

This document is a review and revision of the National Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy of Kenya, which involved in-depth consultations with a wide range of stakeholders through literature review, interviews, consultative meetings, and reviews of the various drafts. Many changes took place at the national and international levels that needed to be taken into account as the policy was reviewed, including the Constitution of Kenya (2010) with its attendant devolved governance structure as well as demographics, and social, economic, and technological environment. The government has made concerted efforts as part of Vision 2030 to respond to adolescents and …


Experiences With Pregnancy Among Female Sex Workers In Ethiopia: A Link Up Exploratory Study, Population Council, Miz-Hasab Research Center, Organization For Social Services For Aids Jan 2015

Experiences With Pregnancy Among Female Sex Workers In Ethiopia: A Link Up Exploratory Study, Population Council, Miz-Hasab Research Center, Organization For Social Services For Aids

HIV and AIDS

In Ethiopia, it is illegal to operate a brothel or procure sex workers as a commercial activity, but the sale of sex by women is not prohibited by law. Research suggests that the number of Ethiopian female sex workers is growing, with younger women and girls increasingly entering the sex trade. Public health programs and policies typically have emphasized HIV prevention in this vulnerable population. A 2014 study of 3,882 Ethiopian female sex workers found that HIV prevalence in the 10 study sites ranged from 15–33 percent, compared to national prevalence of 1.9 percent among women. Furthermore, since most female …


Annotated Bibliography Of Peer-Reviewed Literature Related To The Sexual And Reproductive Health Of Young People In Nigeria (2000-2014), Population Council Jan 2015

Annotated Bibliography Of Peer-Reviewed Literature Related To The Sexual And Reproductive Health Of Young People In Nigeria (2000-2014), Population Council

HIV and AIDS

The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development’s Programme of Action identified eight components (safe motherhood, gender equity, family planning information and services, prevention and treatment of infertility and sexual dysfunction in both men and women, prevention and management of the complications of abortion, prevention and treatment of reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted infections including HIV, elimination of harmful customary practices, and screening for reproductive tract cancers—prostate, breast, and cervix) of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) for all persons including young people aged 10–24. This annotated bibliography is organized with the eight components as its guiding framework with several …


Sexual Behaviors And Biomarkers: Baseline Findings, Population Council Jan 2015

Sexual Behaviors And Biomarkers: Baseline Findings, Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

The Adolescent Girls Empowerment Program (AGEP) is a program for girls ages 10–19 in rural and urban Zambia that aims to find the best ways to improve their social, health, and economic resources. More than 10,000 girls participated in weekly girls’ group meetings, received health vouchers, and opened savings accounts. More than 5,000 girls, unmarried at baseline, were enrolled in a randomized, controlled trial and followed over four years—two years in the program and two years after the program ended. This brief describes the characteristics of enrolled girls at baseline.


Cost And Technical Efficiency Of Integrated Hiv And Srh Services In Kenya And Swaziland, Integra Initiative Jan 2015

Cost And Technical Efficiency Of Integrated Hiv And Srh Services In Kenya And Swaziland, Integra Initiative

Reproductive Health

Policymakers and researchers have long hypothesized the potential benefits of integrating HIV prevention, treatment, and care with sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in settings with generalized HIV epidemics. In addition to improving health and social outcomes, integration of services holds the promise of increasing efficiency of service delivery and maximizing health care resources. Economic theory suggests several potential efficiency advantages at the service and programmatic levels. However, evidence on the unit cost and efficiency gains associated with integration remains scarce. The “Steps to Integration” series provides a guide on how to integrate HIV and SRH services based on findings …


The Effect Of Integrating Hiv Services On Quality Of Postnatal Care, Integra Initiative Jan 2015

The Effect Of Integrating Hiv Services On Quality Of Postnatal Care, Integra Initiative

Reproductive Health

Addressing the postnatal needs of new mothers is a neglected area of care throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Unintended pregnancies during the first 12 months following delivery, and vertical transmission of HIV during labor and delivery, are some of the challenges faced by women during the extended postpartum period. Many women want to delay or avoid another pregnancy, but are not using a modern contraceptive method. Few developing countries ensure that mothers and newborns are assessed early and monitored during the initial six-week period as recommended by WHO, which contributes to discontinuity of services received during pregnancy and delivery and limits linkages …


Gender-Biased Sex Selection In South Asia: The Situation And Promising Approaches To Restore Balance, Population Council Jan 2015

Gender-Biased Sex Selection In South Asia: The Situation And Promising Approaches To Restore Balance, Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This project summary indicates that sex ratios at birth in South Asia vary considerably. While the sex ratios at birth in Bangladesh and Pakistan have been normal at the country level (103 and 102.5 males per 100 females, respectively), Nepal is showing signs of disturbed sex ratios at birth, with a sex ratio of 106 males per 100 females, and the situation in India is particularly adverse, with a sex ratio at birth of 110 males per 100 females. In all of these countries, preconditions for a deterioration of the sex ratio at birth are evident. Preferences are expressed for …


Understanding Factors Influencing Adverse Sex Ratios At Birth And Exploring What Works To Achieve Balance: The Situation In Selected Districts Of Nepal, Mahesh Puri, Anand Tamang Jan 2015

Understanding Factors Influencing Adverse Sex Ratios At Birth And Exploring What Works To Achieve Balance: The Situation In Selected Districts Of Nepal, Mahesh Puri, Anand Tamang

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

The goal of this study is to identify programs and sociocultural factors underlying disparities in sex ratios at birth in some parts of Nepal, by comparing the situation in districts with high and normal sex ratios at birth and among under-5 children. Findings are expected to inform the design of programs intended to raise the value of girls in general and counter the practice of gender-biased sex selection in particular. The study was conducted in two adjoining hill districts of the western development region of Nepal, namely Kaski (where sex ratios are adverse) and Tanhaun (where sex ratios are normal). …


Community Opinion Leaders In Ghana Speak Out On Adolescent Sexuality: What Are The Issues?, Selina F. Esantsi, Francis Onyango, Gloria Quansah Asare, Emmanuel Kuffour, Placide Tapsoba, Harriet Birungi, Ian Askew Jan 2015

Community Opinion Leaders In Ghana Speak Out On Adolescent Sexuality: What Are The Issues?, Selina F. Esantsi, Francis Onyango, Gloria Quansah Asare, Emmanuel Kuffour, Placide Tapsoba, Harriet Birungi, Ian Askew

Reproductive Health

This policy brief reports on a study that is a component of a larger study that assessed the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of adolescents in four slums in two regions of Ghana. The study’s focus on this perspective stems from the fact that there is a lack of evidence surrounding the outlook of community opinion leaders on adolescent reproductive health in this setting. Understanding what adults think about major adolescent SRH issues in their communities (including the SRH rights of adolescents, adult–adolescent communication about SRH issues, and service-seeking and sexual behavior outcomes) provides insight into how adults perceive …


What Are The Sexual And Reproductive Health Needs Of Adolescents In Ghana’S Slums?, Selina F. Esantsi, Gloria Quansah Asare, Placide Tapsoba Jan 2015

What Are The Sexual And Reproductive Health Needs Of Adolescents In Ghana’S Slums?, Selina F. Esantsi, Gloria Quansah Asare, Placide Tapsoba

Reproductive Health

To address the need for quality evidence on the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of adolescents in slums, the STEP UP project conducted a study in four slum settings in Ghana. This policy brief highlights key points, including the need for a well-designed, comprehensive sex education curriculum; interventions that address sexual coercion and violence as an integral component of current adolescent reproductive health programs; and the need to involve all stakeholders including parents/guardians and community leaders in addressing adolescent SRH needs. Evidence from the study can be used to improve ASRH programming so that it better meets the needs …


Expanding Young People's Access To Integrated Services In Malawi, Integra Initiative Jan 2015

Expanding Young People's Access To Integrated Services In Malawi, Integra Initiative

Reproductive Health

In sub-Saharan Africa, uptake of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services among young people remains low, placing millions of young people at risk of poor reproductive health outcomes and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. The “Steps to Integration” series provides a guide on how to integrate HIV and SRH services based on findings from the Integra Initiative, managed by the International Planned Parenthood Federation in partnership with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the Population Council. Issue 7 of the series focuses on expanding young people’s access to integrated services in Malawi. Conclusions include: improving the quality …


Understanding The Reproductive Health Needs Of Adolescents In Selected Slums In Ghana: A Public Health Assessment, Selina F. Esantsi, Francis Onyango, Gloria Quansah Asare, Emmanuel Kuffour, Placide Tapsoba, Harriet Birungi, Ian Askew Jan 2015

Understanding The Reproductive Health Needs Of Adolescents In Selected Slums In Ghana: A Public Health Assessment, Selina F. Esantsi, Francis Onyango, Gloria Quansah Asare, Emmanuel Kuffour, Placide Tapsoba, Harriet Birungi, Ian Askew

Reproductive Health

Over the past decade, adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) concerns have increasingly been on the development agenda of the government of Ghana. This concern has been driven by such factors as early age of sexual debut, early childbearing, and prevalence of HIV/AIDS among this subgroup of the population. The overall objective of the study was to generate evidence on the knowledge, perceptions, and practices regarding ASRH among slum communities in Ghana. The findings of the study indicate a need for intensifying efforts to inform and educate adolescents living in the slums about responsible and healthy attitudes toward sexuality, delaying …


Peer Mentoring: An Effective Strategy For Integrating Hiv And Srh Services, Integra Initiative Jan 2015

Peer Mentoring: An Effective Strategy For Integrating Hiv And Srh Services, Integra Initiative

Reproductive Health

Mentoring is an innovative approach to improving provider skills without compromising service delivery by harnessing the potential of existing providers. In Kenya, a peer-mentorship approach was designed and tested to improve service providers’ skills, knowledge, and capacity to provide high-quality integrated HIV and SRH services. A central component was to understand providers’ opinions on mentoring, so as to build a practical and sustainable mentorship model. The “Steps to Integration” series provides a guide on how to integrate HIV and SRH services based on findings from the Integra Initiative, managed by the International Planned Parenthood Federation in partnership with the London …


Srh And Hiv Service Integration And Stigma, Integra Initiative Jan 2015

Srh And Hiv Service Integration And Stigma, Integra Initiative

Reproductive Health

Stigma is frequently faced by people living with HIV and those who they are associated with, and is frequently followed by discrimination. The “Steps to Integration” series provides a guide on how to integrate HIV and SRH services based on findings from the Integra Initiative, managed by the International Planned Parenthood Federation in partnership with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the Population Council. Issue 3 of the series explores the experience of stigma among clients living with HIV in a variety of settings, both service-based (when seeking family planning, antenatal, and postnatal care services) and facility-based …


Curriculum On Adolescent-Friendly Health Services And Health Voucher Mechanisms: Facilitator's Training Manual, Population Council Jan 2015

Curriculum On Adolescent-Friendly Health Services And Health Voucher Mechanisms: Facilitator's Training Manual, Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

The Adolescent Girls Empowerment Program (AGEP) in rural and urban Zambia aims to build social, health, and economic assets of adolescent girls. A safe spaces component is at the core of AGEP. Girls groups, under the guidance of a female mentor from the same community, provide a safe and supportive learning environment. The meetings are critical in building social assets for vulnerable girls—including friendships, self-esteem, trusting relationships with adults, and social support. The training content over the course of the year varies from sexual and reproductive health and life skills to financial education and nutrition training. Girls in AGEP receive …


Evidence Of Son Preference And Resulting Demographic And Health Outcomes In Pakistan, Zeba Sathar, Gul Rashida, Sabahat Hussain, Anushe Hassan Jan 2015

Evidence Of Son Preference And Resulting Demographic And Health Outcomes In Pakistan, Zeba Sathar, Gul Rashida, Sabahat Hussain, Anushe Hassan

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Pakistan has a highly patriarchal society. Consequently, the desire for sons is a dominant and widely prevalent cultural value that is reinforced by feudal kinship systems that permeate many parts of the country. While reliance on sons is stronger in rural areas because of agricultural work and the tying of land ownership with male inheritance, even in other areas boys are seen to be important in carrying on the family name and taking care of parents in old age. On the other hand, daughters are seen as an expense and an economic burden in both rural and urban areas. A …


Gender-Biased Sex Selection In India: A Review Of The Situation And Interventions To Counter The Practice, Shireen J. Jejeebhoy, Sharmistha Basu, Rajib Acharya, A.J. Francis Zavier Jan 2015

Gender-Biased Sex Selection In India: A Review Of The Situation And Interventions To Counter The Practice, Shireen J. Jejeebhoy, Sharmistha Basu, Rajib Acharya, A.J. Francis Zavier

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This report on gender-biased sex selection in India is divided into six chapters, including an introduction in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 describes the laws and policies adopted by India to address gender-biased sex selection, as well as those intended to support and empower women and girls. Chapter 3 analyzes the trends and geographic variation in the sex ratio at birth and in the child sex ratio. Chapter 4 briefly describes the socioeconomic differences and factors underlying distorted sex ratios and gender-biased sex selection in India, and the social consequences of these practices. Experiences in implementing the PCPNDT Act, initiatives intended …


Trends In Hiv Prevalence, Sexual And Health Seeking Behaviors, And Hiv-Related Discrimination Among Nigerian Youth, Population Council Jan 2015

Trends In Hiv Prevalence, Sexual And Health Seeking Behaviors, And Hiv-Related Discrimination Among Nigerian Youth, Population Council

HIV and AIDS

Nigeria, home to over 170 million people, has a disproportionately heavy youth population of 32 percent whose well-being is intricately tied to the country’s prospects for sustainable development. Nigeria has an HIV prevalence of 3.4 percent, the second highest number of infections in the world. In 2013, it was estimated that 160,000 adolescents in Nigeria were living with HIV. Although Nigeria has developed a national HIV strategic plan that forms a basis for the HIV response, national AIDS and related policies contain few youth-centered provisions. Overall, the national strategic plan targets youth as part of the general population. To fill …


Sexual And Reproductive Health Among Young Female Sex Workers In Bangladesh Brothels—Baseline Findings From Link Up, Population Council Jan 2015

Sexual And Reproductive Health Among Young Female Sex Workers In Bangladesh Brothels—Baseline Findings From Link Up, Population Council

HIV and AIDS

Link Up is a global consortium of international and local nongovernmental organizations led by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance. Link Up aimed to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights of young people in Bangladesh, Burundi, Ethiopia, Myanmar, and Uganda who are living with HIV or are affected by the HIV pandemic. Consortium members PIACT Bangladesh and Marie Stopes Bangladesh implemented a brothel-based program for female sex workers to address sexual and reproductive health and rights. Working in eight brothels in seven districts, trained female sex worker peer educators provided face-to-face education, including referrals to on-site and off-site health care …


Integration Of Sexual And Reproductive Health And Hiv Services, Integra Initiative Jan 2015

Integration Of Sexual And Reproductive Health And Hiv Services, Integra Initiative

Reproductive Health

In sub-Saharan Africa, there is a high rate of unintended pregnancy, particularly among HIV-positive women, and the majority of HIV infections are sexually transmitted or transmitted as a result of pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Yet many health facilities do not provide integrated HIV and SRH services. Integration has the potential to increase access and uptake of health services, increase job satisfaction among providers, more effectively distribute facility workloads, and reduce facility costs. The Integra Initiative represents an effort to respond to the need for high-quality evidence on the feasibility, effectiveness, cost, and impact of different models for delivering integrated HIV …


Male Utilization In Integrated Srh And Hiv Services, Integra Initiative Jan 2015

Male Utilization In Integrated Srh And Hiv Services, Integra Initiative

Reproductive Health

Worldwide, men are less likely to seek sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and HIV services than women. This is due to the way in which SRH and HIV services are organized and promoted as well as rigid gender norms and harmful perceptions of what it means to be a man, with far reaching consequences on health and well-being. The “Steps to Integration” series provides a guide on how to integrate SRH and HIV services based on findings from the Integra Initiative, managed by International Planned Parenthood Federation in partnership with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the …


Delivering Contraceptive Vaginal Rings: Review Of Postpartum And Postnatal Care Programs In Nigeria, Godwin Unumeri, Salisu Mohammed Ishaku Jan 2015

Delivering Contraceptive Vaginal Rings: Review Of Postpartum And Postnatal Care Programs In Nigeria, Godwin Unumeri, Salisu Mohammed Ishaku

Reproductive Health

Postpartum family planning is a major component of postpartum care services. The Population Council is working to introduce an additional method of contraception in Nigeria—the Progesterone Contraceptive Vaginal Ring (PCVR). The PCVR is administered vaginally but acts systemically to inhibit ovulation. The PCVR contains natural progesterone and is meant for breastfeeding women to augment lactational amenorrhea. As the Council conducts a series of activities as a prelude to eventual introduction of the PCVR in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, the detailed evaluation of the postpartum program environment is very important. Understanding the prevailing postpartum and postnatal care landscapes will be crucial …


Delivering Contraceptive Vaginal Rings: Review Of Postpartum Service Packages In Kenya, Wilson Liambila, Saumya Ramarao, Heather Clark Jan 2015

Delivering Contraceptive Vaginal Rings: Review Of Postpartum Service Packages In Kenya, Wilson Liambila, Saumya Ramarao, Heather Clark

Reproductive Health

The postnatal period is a critical phase in the lives of mothers and newborn babies. Most maternal and infant deaths occur during this time, yet this is the most neglected period for the coverage and provision of quality care. The building blocks of the WHO health systems model were applied in describing the status and health system structures that support the provision of postpartum and postnatal care (PNC) services in Kenya. Many opportunities exist for facilitating the delivery of the Population Council’s Progesterone Contraceptive Vaginal Rings (PCVR) within PNC services in Kenya, such as integration with other primary health care …