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Women's Health Commons

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2011

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Articles 1 - 30 of 67

Full-Text Articles in Women's Health

Karakteristik Sosial Ekonomi Dan Kesehatan Maternal, Rindang Ekawati Dec 2011

Karakteristik Sosial Ekonomi Dan Kesehatan Maternal, Rindang Ekawati

Kesmas

Kesehatan maternal yang tergolong tinggi di Indonesia merupakan indikator keberhasilan pembangunan pada Millenium Development Goals yang terus diupayakan untuk diperbaiki. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui hubungan antara karakteristik sosial, demografi, dan ekonomi dengan tingkat kesehatan ibu. Penelitian yang menggunakan sumber data sekunder Survei Demografi Kesehatan di Jawa Barat yang mencakup 86 blok sensus yang meliputi 2.150 rumah tangga meliputi 1.100 rumah tangga di perkotaan dan 1.050 rumah tangga di pedesaan. Jumlah sampel terpilih adalah 1.720 wanita pernah kawin berumur 15 – 49 tahun. Analisis data dilakukan secara deskriptif analitik dan uji kai kuadrat. Terdapat hubungan signifikan antara umur ibu, pendidikan ibu, …


Determining The Factors Associated With Unmet Need For Family Planning: A Cross-Sectional Survey In 49 Districts Of Pakistan, Waqas Hameed, Syed Khurram Azmat, Mohsina Bilgrami, Muhammad Ishaqe Dec 2011

Determining The Factors Associated With Unmet Need For Family Planning: A Cross-Sectional Survey In 49 Districts Of Pakistan, Waqas Hameed, Syed Khurram Azmat, Mohsina Bilgrami, Muhammad Ishaqe

Community Health Sciences

Introduction & Background: Around 137 million women in the developing world who would like to avoid childbearing are unable to do so, despite a huge increase in contraceptive access and use globally. Ironically, the prevalence of unmet need in Pakistan is among the highest in the world despite being one of the first countries in South Asia to launch national family planning program. The aim of this paper is to estimate the prevalence of unmet need for contraception and to indentify the factors associated with it.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in forty nine districts of Pakistan across all …


Gender Roles And Their Influence On Life Prospects For Women In Urban Karachi, Pakistan: A Qualitative Study, Tazeen S. Ali, Gunilla Krantz, Raisa Gul, Nargis Asad, Eva Johansson, Ingrid Mogren Nov 2011

Gender Roles And Their Influence On Life Prospects For Women In Urban Karachi, Pakistan: A Qualitative Study, Tazeen S. Ali, Gunilla Krantz, Raisa Gul, Nargis Asad, Eva Johansson, Ingrid Mogren

School of Nursing & Midwifery

BACKGROUND: Pakistan is a patriarchal society where men are the primary authority figures and women are subordinate. This has serious implications on women's and men's life prospects.
OBJECTIVE: The aim was to explore current gender roles in urban Pakistan, how these are reproduced and maintained and influence men's and women's life circumstances.
DESIGN: Five focus group discussions were conducted, including 28 women representing employed, unemployed, educated and uneducated women from different socio-economic strata. Manifest and latent content analyses were applied.
FINDINGS: TWO MAJOR THEMES EMERGED DURING ANALYSIS: 'Reiteration of gender roles' and 'Agents of change'. The first theme included perceptions …


The Association Between Parity, Infant Gender, Higher Level Of Paternal Education And Preterm Birth In Pakistan: A Cohort Study, Kiran Shaikh, Shahirose Sadrudin Premji, Marianne S. Rose, Ambreen Kazi, Shaneela Khowaja, Suzanne Tough Nov 2011

The Association Between Parity, Infant Gender, Higher Level Of Paternal Education And Preterm Birth In Pakistan: A Cohort Study, Kiran Shaikh, Shahirose Sadrudin Premji, Marianne S. Rose, Ambreen Kazi, Shaneela Khowaja, Suzanne Tough

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Background:

High rates of antenatal depression and preterm birth have been reported in Pakistan. Self reported maternal stress and depression have been associated with preterm birth, however findings are inconsistent. Cortisol is a biological marker of stress and depression, and its measurement may assist in understanding the influence of self reported maternal stress and depression on preterm birth.

Methods:

In a prospective cohort study pregnant women between 28 to 30 weeks of gestation from the Aga Khan Hospital for Women and Children completed the A-Z Stress Scale and the Centre for Epidemiology Studies Depression Scale to assess stress and depression …


Poor Women With Sexually Transmitted Infections: Providers’ Perspectives On Diagnoses, Genevieve R. Cox Oct 2011

Poor Women With Sexually Transmitted Infections: Providers’ Perspectives On Diagnoses, Genevieve R. Cox

Sociology

This article presents results from a study of health care providers, mainly nurses and nurse practitioners, who routinely diagnose sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in rural low-income populations in West Virginia (WV). A qualitative analysis of eighteen semi-structured interviews reveals that providers who consistently work with low-income populations believe patients undergo a negative change in self-image in response to a chronic STD diagnosis. Providers express concerns about a number of issues related to low-income, rural women’s access to sexual health care and see the need for more sexuality education, more funding for free and reduced cost clinics, and more available health …


Reducing Psychosocial And Behavioral Pregnancy Risk Factors: Results Of A Randomized Clinical Trial Among High-Risk Pregnant African American Women, Jill G. Joseph, Ayman El-Mohandes, Michele Kiely, M. Nabil El-Khorazaty, Marie G. Gantz, Allan A. Johnson, Kathy S. Katz, Susan M. Blake, Maryann W. Rossi, Siva Subramanian Sep 2011

Reducing Psychosocial And Behavioral Pregnancy Risk Factors: Results Of A Randomized Clinical Trial Among High-Risk Pregnant African American Women, Jill G. Joseph, Ayman El-Mohandes, Michele Kiely, M. Nabil El-Khorazaty, Marie G. Gantz, Allan A. Johnson, Kathy S. Katz, Susan M. Blake, Maryann W. Rossi, Siva Subramanian

Publications and Research

Objectives. We evaluated the efficacy of a primary care intervention targeting pregnant African American women and focusing on psychosocial and behavioral risk factors for poor reproductive outcomes (cigarette smoking, secondhand smoke exposure, depression, and intimate partner violence).

Methods. Pregnant African American women (N=1044) were randomized to an intervention or usual care group. Clinic-based, individually tailored counseling sessions were adapted from evidence-based interventions. Follow-up data were obtained for 850 women. Multiple imputation methodology was used to estimate missing data. Outcome measures were number of risks at baseline, first follow-up, and second follow-up and within-person changes in risk from baseline to the …


Relationships Between Self-Reported Smoking, Household Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure And Depressive Symptoms In A Pregnant Minority Population, Sylvia Tan, Lauren P. Courtney, Ayman El-Mohandes, Susan M. Blake, Marie G. Gantz, Jutta Thornberry, M. Nabil El-Khorazaty, David Perry, Michele Kiely Sep 2011

Relationships Between Self-Reported Smoking, Household Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure And Depressive Symptoms In A Pregnant Minority Population, Sylvia Tan, Lauren P. Courtney, Ayman El-Mohandes, Susan M. Blake, Marie G. Gantz, Jutta Thornberry, M. Nabil El-Khorazaty, David Perry, Michele Kiely

Publications and Research

This study sought to examine relationships between depressive symptoms and prenatal smoking and/or household environmental tobacco smoke exposure (HHETSE) among urban minority women. We analyzed private, audio computer-assisted self interview data from a clinic-based sample of 929 minority pregnant women in Washington, DC. Depressive symptoms were assessed via the Beck Depression Inventory Fast Screen. HH-ETSE, current smoking, and former smoking were assessed via self-report. Depression levels and demographic characteristics were compared: (1) among nonsmokers, for those reporting HH-ETSE versus no HH-ETSE; and (2) among smokers, for those reporting current smoking (in last 7 days) versus former smokers. Measures associated with …


Health Initiatives By Indigenous People In Australia, Stephanie Clark Jun 2011

Health Initiatives By Indigenous People In Australia, Stephanie Clark

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

No abstract provided.


The Risk Factor Profile Of Women With Secondary Infertility: An Unmatched Case-Control Study In Kigali, Rwanda, Nathalie Dhont, Stanley Luchters, Claude Muvunyi, Joseph Vyankandondera, Ludwig De Naeyer, Marleen Temmerman, Janneke Van De Wijgert Jun 2011

The Risk Factor Profile Of Women With Secondary Infertility: An Unmatched Case-Control Study In Kigali, Rwanda, Nathalie Dhont, Stanley Luchters, Claude Muvunyi, Joseph Vyankandondera, Ludwig De Naeyer, Marleen Temmerman, Janneke Van De Wijgert

Population Health, East Africa

Background: Secondary infertility is a common, preventable but neglected reproductive health problem in resource-poor countries. This study examines the association of past sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, bacterial vaginosis (BV) and factors in the obstetric history with secondary infertility and their relative contributions to secondary infertility.

Methods: Between November 2007 and May 2009 a research infertility clinic was set up at the Kigali University Teaching Hospital in Rwanda. Cases were defined as sexually-active women aged 21-45 years presenting with secondary infertility (n = 177), and controls as multiparous women in the same age groups who recently delivered …


Predicting Mammography Screening And Breast Self-Examination Among Hispanic And Non-Hispanic White Women In Orange County, California, Sanam Kazemi Jun 2011

Predicting Mammography Screening And Breast Self-Examination Among Hispanic And Non-Hispanic White Women In Orange County, California, Sanam Kazemi

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background and Purpose. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Hispanic/Latina women who are one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the United States. Although Hispanic women have a lower incidence of breast cancer when compared to non-Hispanic White women, they are more likely to develop breast cancer at an advanced stage. In California, Hispanic women have the lowest rate of insurance coverage compared to other ethnic groups.

Method. The study was a cross-sectional observational study among Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic White women, ages 30-64 years. I examined intention to obtain a mammogram or breast self-exam …


Mandatory Hiv Testing During Pregnancy: A Review Of Its Considerations, Ethics & Precedents, Abigail C. Beaudette May 2011

Mandatory Hiv Testing During Pregnancy: A Review Of Its Considerations, Ethics & Precedents, Abigail C. Beaudette

Honors Capstone Projects - All

Every year, in the United States, between 100-200 babies are infected prenatally with HIV. With the use of antiretroviral medications, elective cesarean section and formula feeding, the risk of vertical transmission can be reduced to less than 2%. In this paper I analyzed whether or not state governments should mandate HIV testing for all pregnant women in order to reduce vertical transmission of HIV. By looking at the cases for and against mandatory testing, as well as looking at states such as Connecticut who have implemented mandatory testing, I will present the case for why the benefit of mandatory testing …


Factors That Inhibit Or Enhance Maternal Coping With Stillbirth In Chhattisgarh, India, Lisa R. Roberts May 2011

Factors That Inhibit Or Enhance Maternal Coping With Stillbirth In Chhattisgarh, India, Lisa R. Roberts

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: Over half of the known stillbirths occur in four highly populated countries—India among them. While acknowledged as a significant public health issue in western societies, little is known about maternal coping with stillbirth in developing countries. The purpose of this mixed methods study is to explore how issues of gender and power, social support, coping efforts, and religious beliefs influence perinatal grief outcomes among poor women in rural Chhattisgarh, India.

Methods: In Phase 1 of this mixed methods study, grounded theory methods were used to explore perceptions regarding stillbirth. A de-identified medical records review of 536 deliveries at Christian …


Profil Lipid, Peroksidasi Lipid, Dan Status Inflamatif Wanita Penderita Sindrom Metabolik, Hery Winarsi, Siwi P.M. Wijayanti, Agus Purwanto Apr 2011

Profil Lipid, Peroksidasi Lipid, Dan Status Inflamatif Wanita Penderita Sindrom Metabolik, Hery Winarsi, Siwi P.M. Wijayanti, Agus Purwanto

Kesmas

Prevalensi sindrom metabolik (SM) di Indonesia (13,13%) tergolong tinggi dengan kecenderungan terus meningkat. Salah satu akibat SM adalah disfungsi endotel, sebagai awal penyakit kardiovaskuler yang diinduksi oleh stres oksidatif dan inflamatif. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengeksplorasi profil lipid, peroksidasi lipid, dan marker inflamasi pada wanita penderita SM di Purwokerto. Sebanyak 30 wanita dengan kadar gula darah di atas normal, obesitas body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2, dan berusia 40-65 tahun dilibatkan sebagai responden yang dipilih melalui survei di Poliklinik Penyakit Dalam Rumah Sakit Margono Soekarjo. Kadar kolesterol total, trigliserida, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, malondialdehid, dan plasma C-reactive protein …


Pengaruh Perawatan Metode Kanguru Terhadap Respons Fisiologis Bayi Prematur, Deswita Deswita, Besral Besral, Yeni Rustina Apr 2011

Pengaruh Perawatan Metode Kanguru Terhadap Respons Fisiologis Bayi Prematur, Deswita Deswita, Besral Besral, Yeni Rustina

Kesmas

Saat ini, perawatan metode kanguru mulai dianjurkan bagi bayi prematur karena kelahiran prematur dan bayi dengan berat badan lahir rendah merupakan salah satu penyebab kematian bayi terbesar. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh perawatan metode kanguru terhadap respons fisiologis bayi prematur. Desain quasi experiment one group pre and post-test dilakukan di 2 rumah sakit di Jakarta. Sebanyak 16 bayi prematur yang memenuhi kriteria inklusi dipilih sebagai sampel. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat pengaruh yang bermakna dari perawatan metode kanguru terhadap respons fisiologis bayi prematur seperti peningkatan suhu tubuh ke arah suhu normal (p value = 0,000), peningkatan frekuensi denyut …


Role Of Breastfeeding And Current Lifestyle On Maternal Long-Term Weight Change, Denise R. Hinds Apr 2011

Role Of Breastfeeding And Current Lifestyle On Maternal Long-Term Weight Change, Denise R. Hinds

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: Evidence suggests that prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding is associated with health benefits to children and nursing mothers beyond the period of breastfeeding. Studies that support the role of breastfeeding in postpartum weight change primarily focused on short-term weight change (within 12 to 24 months postpartum) (Binns et al. 2003; Lederman 2004; Johnson et al. 2006), while few focused on the association between breastfeeding and long-term weight change (5 years or more postpartum) (Rooney, Schauberger et al. 2005).

Purpose: This study investigated the role of breastfeeding in long-term weight change, specifically 1) whether breastfeeding protects against weight gain, and 2) …


Food For Thought: Eathing For The Baby & You, Cassandra Fernandes Faria Apr 2011

Food For Thought: Eathing For The Baby & You, Cassandra Fernandes Faria

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

No abstract provided.


Expecting To Quit: A Best-Practices Review Of Smoking Cessation Interventions For Pregnant And Postpartum Girls And Women, Lorraine Greaves, Nancy Poole, Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli, Natalie Hemsing, Annie Qu, Lauren Bialystok, Renée O’Leary Mar 2011

Expecting To Quit: A Best-Practices Review Of Smoking Cessation Interventions For Pregnant And Postpartum Girls And Women, Lorraine Greaves, Nancy Poole, Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli, Natalie Hemsing, Annie Qu, Lauren Bialystok, Renée O’Leary

Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli

This report examines interventions designed to reduce or eliminate smoking during pregnancy. It considers these interventions using a “better practices” methodology designed by Moyer, Cameron, Garcia, and Maule (2002, p. 124) for intervention studies published prior to 2003, and a systematic review methodology from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) (2006) in the UK for those studies published after 2003. We contextualize the results of these analyses in the wider literature on women’s health, women-centred care, and women’s tobacco use to better interpret them. These results build on those in the first edition of Expecting to Quit …


Pendapat Pembaca Awam Terhadap Buku “Air Susu Ibu: Dari Ayah Untuk Ibu Dan Bayi”, Judhiastuty Februhartanty, Andi Mariyasari Septiari, Suci Destriatania Feb 2011

Pendapat Pembaca Awam Terhadap Buku “Air Susu Ibu: Dari Ayah Untuk Ibu Dan Bayi”, Judhiastuty Februhartanty, Andi Mariyasari Septiari, Suci Destriatania

Kesmas

Kendati ayah diketahui berperan sebagai pendukung praktik pemberian air susu ibu (ASI), akses ayah terhadap informasi mengenai praktik pemberian ASI yang benar sangat minim. Buku dapat menjadi salah satu saluran informasi yang potensial. Studi pendahuluan ini bertujuan untuk menggali pendapat para pembaca sukarelawan laki-laki dan perempuan mengenai isi dan manfaat sebuah buku tentang ASI dan peran ayah. Studi ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif. Sukarelawan dipilih sebagai informan secara purposif berdasarkan tingkat pendidikan, jenis kelamin, status perkawinan, paritas, dan tingkat kegemaran membaca buku. Analisis isi (content analysis) dilakukan terhadap hasil wawancara dengan menggunakan matriks perbandingan (comparative matrix). Sebagai temuan studi ini, …


Prevalence Of Head Lice And Hygiene Practices Among Women Over Twelve Years Of Age In Sindh, Balochistan, And North West Frontier Province: National Health Survey Of Pakistan, 1990-1994., Sadia Mahmud, Gregory Pappas, Wilbur C Hadden Feb 2011

Prevalence Of Head Lice And Hygiene Practices Among Women Over Twelve Years Of Age In Sindh, Balochistan, And North West Frontier Province: National Health Survey Of Pakistan, 1990-1994., Sadia Mahmud, Gregory Pappas, Wilbur C Hadden

Community Health Sciences

Background: Head lice infestation is an infection of the scalp and skin which causes blood loss, discomfort, and social and psychological distress with the possibility of secondary bacterial infections occurring at scratch sites. In Pakistan, although some small scale studies have been conducted to investigate prevalence of head lice in school children and the general population, no population based estimates have been reported. The National Health Survey of Pakistan (NHSP 1990 - 94) was a nationally representative health examination survey of the Pakistani population. The NHSP is the first population based household survey to collect data on the prevalence of …


Innovative Financing Through Pay-For-Performance For Providers To Improve Quality Of Care In Bangladesh: Transforming Research Into Action, Md. Noorunnabi Talukder, Ubaidur Rob, Laila Rahman, Ismat Ara Hena Jan 2011

Innovative Financing Through Pay-For-Performance For Providers To Improve Quality Of Care In Bangladesh: Transforming Research Into Action, Md. Noorunnabi Talukder, Ubaidur Rob, Laila Rahman, Ismat Ara Hena

Reproductive Health

To improve access to and use of facility-based obstetric and newborn care, the Government of Bangladesh is implementing two innovative performance-based financing programs, namely demand-side financing (DSF) and pay-for-performance (P4P). With the purpose of identifying the lessons learned, limitations of the P4P and DSF models, and scopes for cross learning, a two-day workshop was organized in Dhaka. This workshop report, prepared by the Population Council, resulted in several recommendations to modify DSF and P4P schemes. In Bangladesh, the need for continuing performance-based financing programs to meet MDGs and other health indicators is beyond argument, but it is urgently required to …


Scaling Up The Integration Of Tuberculosis Screening Into Reproductive Health Services, Aphia Ii Or Project In Kenya Jan 2011

Scaling Up The Integration Of Tuberculosis Screening Into Reproductive Health Services, Aphia Ii Or Project In Kenya

Reproductive Health

The Population Council’s APHIA II Operations Research and Kenya’s Ministry of Health implemented a pilot project in five facilities across Nairobi Province in 2010 with the aim of improving access to care and treatment for tuberculosis (TB) for women during postnatal care (PNC) services. As tuberculosis persists in Kenya, integration of screening and referrals within postnatal care services will increase case detection and treatment for those infected. Integration of TB screening is likely to be scaled up throughout PNC and maternal and child health services in Kenya. Strong linkages between health services, training, and supervision, and simple provider tools will …


The Supply Of Physicians And Care For Breast Cancer In Ontario And California, 1998 To 2006, Kevin M. Gorey, Isaac N. Luginaah, Caroline Hamm, Madhan K. Balagurusamy, Eric J. Holowaty Jan 2011

The Supply Of Physicians And Care For Breast Cancer In Ontario And California, 1998 To 2006, Kevin M. Gorey, Isaac N. Luginaah, Caroline Hamm, Madhan K. Balagurusamy, Eric J. Holowaty

Social Work Publications

INTRODUCTION: We examined the differential effects of the supply of physicians on care for breast cancer in Ontario and California. We then used criteria for optimum care for breast cancer to estimate the regional needs for the supply of physicians.

METHODS: Ontario and California registries provided 951 and 984 instances of breast cancer diagnosed between 1998 and 2000 and followed until 2006. These cohorts were joined with the supply of county-level primary care physicians (PCPs) and specialists in cancer care and compared on care for breast cancer.

RESULTS: Significant protective PCP thresholds (7.75 to = 8.25 PCPs per 10 000 …


Effects Of Calcium Supplementation On Cardiovascular Disease In Postmenopausal Women, Raizel Robinson Jan 2011

Effects Of Calcium Supplementation On Cardiovascular Disease In Postmenopausal Women, Raizel Robinson

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is an excerpt from the introduction of the article: In the United States, 53% of the population use dietary supplements. Of the people using supplements, 43% use calcium and 37% use vitamin D. However, 63% of women older than 60 years of age reported using dietary supplements (Park et al., 2009). Calcium supplementation, without co-administered vitamin D, increases the risk of myocardial infarction and cardiovascularrelated diseases among postmenopausal women. On the contrary, calcium supplementation with accompanied vitamin D may not produce similar effects.


Increasing Access To Safe Abortion In Rural Maharashtra: Outcomes Of A Comprehensive Abortion Care Model, Shireen J. Jejeebhoy, A.J. Francis Zavier, Rajib Acharya, Shveta Kalyanwala Jan 2011

Increasing Access To Safe Abortion In Rural Maharashtra: Outcomes Of A Comprehensive Abortion Care Model, Shireen J. Jejeebhoy, A.J. Francis Zavier, Rajib Acharya, Shveta Kalyanwala

Reproductive Health

This assessment of a Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC) model was conducted by the Population Council on behalf of the Consortium for Safe Abortions in India. The goal of the Consortium is to increase access to legal, safe, and comprehensive abortion services, including post-abortion family planning, in the public health system, and especially among the rural poor. This report describes the CAC model implemented in Aurangabad district, Maharashtra, and examines the extent to which the model improved (a) the availability and quality of abortion services in public sector facilities, and (b) women’s awareness and experiences with regard to abortion services. It …


Survey Of Domestic And Work Life Experience And Reproductive Health Of Women Workers Of Selected Industrial Compounds In Ha Noi, Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Nguyen Hong Phuong Jan 2011

Survey Of Domestic And Work Life Experience And Reproductive Health Of Women Workers Of Selected Industrial Compounds In Ha Noi, Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Nguyen Hong Phuong

Reproductive Health

The Population Council Viet Nam and local stakeholders undertook a collaborative project in Ha Noi entitled “Improving the health care response to gender-based violence.” The study’s objectives were: 1) to assess the knowledge and experience of female workers about gender-based violence; 2) to assess knowledge and practice of women workers on reproductive health focusing on abortion; and 3) to make recommendation for the Ha Noi Health Service to improve the women workers’ knowledge on gender-based violence, choice of contraceptive method, reproductive health care, and abortion. The women factory workers, who have higher levels of education than their peers in the …


Introduction Of Medical Abortion In Ghana, Emmanuel Kuffour, Selina F. Esantsi, Placide Tapsoba, Gloria Quansah Asare, Ian Askew Jan 2011

Introduction Of Medical Abortion In Ghana, Emmanuel Kuffour, Selina F. Esantsi, Placide Tapsoba, Gloria Quansah Asare, Ian Askew

Reproductive Health

To significantly expand women’s access to modern family planning and comprehensive abortion care services a provisional license was awarded to Marie Stopes International-Ghana by the Ghana Food and Drugs Board for the introduction and provision of the first medical abortion regimen (mifepristone and misoprostol) in Ghana. The Population Council conducted this study to document the introduction process; findings from the study will provide much needed evidence to inform policy decisionmaking and the scale-up phase. Overall the study has shown that medical abortion is a viable option for Ghanaian women--an overwhelming number of those who have benefitted from the procedure are …


Female Genital Mutilation Practices In Kenya: The Role Of Alternative Rites Of Passage. A Case Study Of Kisii And Kuria Districts, Habil Oloo, Monica Wanjiru, Katy Newell-Jones Jan 2011

Female Genital Mutilation Practices In Kenya: The Role Of Alternative Rites Of Passage. A Case Study Of Kisii And Kuria Districts, Habil Oloo, Monica Wanjiru, Katy Newell-Jones

Reproductive Health

This research was undertaken by the Population Council to better understand female genital mutilation (FGM) as currently practiced by the Kuria and Kisii communities in Kenya. The study investigated current attitudes and practices in relation to FGM, awareness and attitudes toward the alternative rite of passage (ARP), and factors which encourage individuals to make decisions to abandon FGM. The findings show that FGM is still a celebrated public event among the Kuria, whereas in Kisii, it is a private family affair. The study suggests that the success of ARP as an approach to abandoning FGM is strongly dependent on the …


Comprehensive Responses To Sexual Violence In East And Southern Africa: Lessons Learned From Implementation, Jill Keesbury, Ian Askew, Monica Wanjiru, Grace Chiyaba, Kate Wilson, Felly Nkweto Simmonds Jan 2011

Comprehensive Responses To Sexual Violence In East And Southern Africa: Lessons Learned From Implementation, Jill Keesbury, Ian Askew, Monica Wanjiru, Grace Chiyaba, Kate Wilson, Felly Nkweto Simmonds

Reproductive Health

The Population Council has provided technical assistance and conducted research to strengthen the evidence base on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) programming in sub-Saharan Africa, where countries have begun to recognize the importance of both preventing violence and responding to the needs of SGBV survivors. These activities have created an active network of partners from across sub-Saharan Africa, who are developing, implementing, and evaluating core elements of a comprehensive, multisectoral response model. This brief reports how network partners have significantly increased the evidence base on program responses: a range of successful approaches have been demonstrated for improving comprehensive services within …


Community Health Workers Can Effectively Provide Information And Referrals To People Living With Hiv In Their Communities, Population Council Jan 2011

Community Health Workers Can Effectively Provide Information And Referrals To People Living With Hiv In Their Communities, Population Council

Reproductive Health

A number of studies reported high levels of sexually transmitted infections among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Unfortunately, prevention interventions targeting PLHIV in the community are not common in Kenya, and most PLHIV who are not on ART have limited access to prevention information and risk-reduction counseling. The Population Council’s APHIA II Operations Research Project conducted a research project to address these gaps. This study was conducted in 2010 in collaboration with the International Center for Reproductive Health and the National AIDS and STI Control Programme. The findings show that the intervention had a number of positive outcomes and concludes …


Levels, Trends And Determinants Of Contraceptive Use Among Adolescent Girls In Kenya, Francis Obare, Harriet Birungi, Chi-Chi Undie, Monica Wanjiru, Wilson Liambila, Ian Askew Jan 2011

Levels, Trends And Determinants Of Contraceptive Use Among Adolescent Girls In Kenya, Francis Obare, Harriet Birungi, Chi-Chi Undie, Monica Wanjiru, Wilson Liambila, Ian Askew

Reproductive Health

In Kenya, recent trends in contraceptive use among currently married women aged 15–49 years show that after experiencing a stall between 1998 and 2003, the contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) increased between 2003 and 2008–2009. Although the increase in CPR after 2003 is encouraging, there is limited understanding of how these changes affected adolescents, especially girls, given the unique sexual and reproductive health challenges that they face. This report is based on a secondary analysis of the Kenya Demographic and Health Surveys (KDHS) data to understand the trends, differentials, and determinants of contraceptive use among adolescent girls aged 15–19 years in …