Digital Commons Network^™

Mexico: Strengthen Education On Adolescent Reproductive Health, Frontiers In Reproductive Health

Reproductive Health

Unprotected sex among Mexico’s young people often leads to unplanned pregnancy and unwanted births as well as risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV. From 1999 to 2002, FRONTIERS worked with the nongovernmental organization MEXFAM to test the feasibility, effectiveness, and cost of community-, clinic-, and school-based interventions to improve the reproductive health (RH) of youth aged 10–19. Eight cities were selected as intervention sites, and four as control sites. In the intervention sites, researchers worked with coordinators and “multipliers”—local community members such as teachers, community leaders, health-care providers, and peer educators—who taught courses on adolescent RH. In the …

Cameroon: Peer Education And Youth-Friendly Media Reduce Risky Sexual Behavior, Frontiers In Reproductive Health

Reproductive Health

Cameroonian researchers at the Institute of Behavioral Studies and Research (IRESCO), with support from FRONTIERS, conducted an operations research project between 2000 and 2002 to assess strategies to encourage abstinence, increase contraceptive use, and reduce sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates among sexually active youth. The intervention combined peer-education strategies with media campaigns to promote healthy behavior among youth in the Mokolo neighborhood of Yaoundé. IRESCO trained 49 peer educators aged 19–25 in reproductive health (RH) communication strategies. The team coordinated educational talks, counseling sessions, conferences, and cultural and athletic events; produced comic books and brochures; and sold French and English …

Improving The Quality Of Reproductive Health Care: How Much Does It Cost?, Laura Raney, Stephanie Joyce, John Townsend

Reproductive Health

Quality care for clients should be the focus of a family planning and reproductive health program, but can programs afford it? There is no simple answer. The multiple dimensions of quality of care make it more difficult to identify and measure affordable improvements in service delivery. Calculating program costs is challenging, and different methods can lead to widely varying estimates. Determining how much quality costs is a challenge, but it is both possible and important for programs’ sustainability. This brief focuses on various aspects of costs and examines information about the cost of improving quality (as opposed to the cost …

"Ex Africa Semper Aliquid Novi", Ecafrique

Reproductive Health

Newsletter published by ECafrique, an Africa-wide forum dedicated to introducing, delivering, and mainstreaming quality emergency contraception services in Africa. This edition is written in English and French.

Availability And Acceptability Of Iuds In Guatemala, Carlos Brambila, Berta Taracena

Reproductive Health

The purpose of this study was to identify the reasons for the low use of the IUD in Guatemala and to explore the reasons why other reversible methods are selected more frequently than IUDs. The study aimed to determine the availability and acceptability of IUDs as a contraceptive option within the Ministry of Health, the Guatemalan Social Security Institute, and APROFAM. Results indicated that service providers do not take into consideration women’s reproductive needs or intentions when they provide family planning counseling. There are several demand-side factors that affect the use of the IUD, including lack of knowledge about the …

One-Year Client Impacts Of Quality Of Care Improvements Achieved In Peru, Federico R. Leon, Santiago Roca, Alex Rios, Adriana Zumaran, Ana Rosa Feijoo

Reproductive Health

This report presents a one-year assessment of quality-of-care improvements in Peru, following provider training on the job aids–assisted Balanced Counseling Strategy. Results showed significant enhancement of quality of care, an increase in session length, and improved client knowledge of the method chosen when this was an IUD or hormonal method. Correlational findings suggested that better impacts can be achieved in provincial primary health facilities than in larger settings like clinics or hospitals in capital cities. The results are important because: 1) other studies have failed to show significant impacts of controlled quality-of-care improvements on the use of contraception; and 2) …

Policy And Program Implications Of The Matching Grants Program In The Philippines, Marilou Palabrica-Costello, Nimfa Ogena, Alejandro N. Herrin

Reproductive Health

In 1999, the Philippines Department of Health, with support from USAID and technical assistance from Management Sciences for Health (MSH), implemented the matching grants program (MGP) as a component of the local government performance program. The MGP aims to improve the capability of municipalities and component cities to expand service delivery, and to achieve significant increases in rates of fully immunized children, vitamin A supplementation, tetanus toxoid immunization for women, as well as in the use of family planning methods, especially modern methods. Upon the request of the USAID Mission, the Frontiers in Reproductive Health program worked closely with MSH …

Postabortion Family Planning Operations Research Study In Perm, Russia, Irina Savelieva, John M. Pile, Inna Sacci, Ratha Loganathan

Reproductive Health

EngenderHealth, the Population Council’s FRONTIERS program, and the Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, with support from the Perm Health Departments, undertook an operations research study to test models for increasing contraceptive use and reducing the repeat abortion rate among abortion clients in Perm, Russia. The study also assessed the direct and indirect costs of abortion and contraceptive use incurred by women in the year following their index abortion (the abortion which took place the day of entry into the study). The findings of the study were significant for the training interventions …

Improving Quality Of Care For Family Planning Services In Uganda, Joel Okullo, Quinto Okello, Harriet Birungi, Ian Askew, Barbara Janowitz, Carmen Cuthbertson, Florence Ebanyat

Reproductive Health

The Regional Centre for Quality of Health Care at Makerere University, Uganda in collaboration with the Delivery of Improved Services for Health II Project, the Ministry of Health (MOH), and the Population Council’s FRONTIERS Program, conducted an operations research project to help the MOH improve the quality of family planning services with the aim of helping couples better attain their reproductive goals. The study developed a package of interventions (the Yellow Star Programme—YSP) that sought to increase the readiness of clinics to offer basic family planning services, to improve provider motivation, and to empower clients to request quality services. The …

Introducing Dmpa Injectable Contraceptives To Private Medical Practitioners In Urban Gujarat, Frontiers In Reproductive Health

Reproductive Health

Many public, NGO, and private-sector service-delivery systems are suitably matched to the requirements of providing injectable contraceptives in India, including the ability to ensure choice and service delivery quality. This operations research study was designed to demonstrate the feasibility of providing injectable contraceptives in private medical practices and to contribute to the body of scientific literature on the acceptability of this method in India. DKT India and EngenderHealth formed a partnership with the Population Council’s Frontiers in Reproductive Health program to conduct this study in Gujarat. The ability to generate recommendations is limited, however, by the special characteristics of the …

Replication Of The Tostan Programme In Burkina Faso: How 23 Villages Participated In A Human Rights-Based Education Programme And Abandoned The Practice Of Female Genital Cutting In Burkina Faso, Nafissatou J. Diop, Edmond Bagde, Djingri Ouoba, Molly Melching

Reproductive Health

This document is a summary of the process followed in implementing a community-based education program in Burkina Faso. The Population Council initiated a collaboration between two NGOs, Tostan in Senegal and Mwangaza Action in Burkina Faso, to replicate the program for improving women’s reproductive health and contributing to the end of female genital cutting (FGC). In Burkina Faso, the participants (men and women) held discussions to analyze the problems faced by their communities and to find appropriate solutions. Many positive changes occurred in the participating villages: the communities now promote reproductive health and human rights and work to improve public …

Cultural Norms And Behavior Regarding Vaginal Lubrication During Sex: Implications For The Acceptability Of Vaginal Microbicides For The Prevention Of Hiv/Stis, Sarah Braunstein, Janneke Van De Wijgert

Reproductive Health

This paper presents the results of an extensive review of the literature pertaining to the relationship between vaginal lubrication and the acceptability of microbicides, spermicides, and male and female condoms. The review highlights the need for research that better elucidates norms, preferences, and practices regarding lubrication during sex within and across countries. The second part of the report presents the results of the first phase of a qualitative study on lubrication during sex showing that diverse personal and cultural factors shape preferences and practices and may ultimately affect the acceptability of microbicides. The immediate challenge is to provide women with …

Changing Family Planning Scenario In India: An Overview Of Recent Evidence, K.G. Santhya

Reproductive Health

Over the decades, there has been a substantial increase in contraceptive use in India. The direction, emphasis and strategies of the Family Welfare Programme have changed over time. However, meeting the contraceptive needs of considerable proportions of women and men and improving the quality of family planning services continue to be a challenge. The 1990s witnessed a growing recognition of this, and several innovative policy and programme initiatives have been launched to address these issues. This paper reviews and synthesises evidence from surveys and studies conducted in the 1990s and thereafter on contraceptive use dynamics and the unmet need for …

Actions That Protect: Promoting Sexual And Reproductive Health And Choice Among Young People In India, Shireen J. Jejeebhoy, Mary Philip Sebastian

Reproductive Health

This paper synthesises the evidence on the sexual and reproductive health situation of young people in India, and explores what we know about underlying factors that place them at risk of or protect them from unsafe and unwanted sexual and reproductive health experiences. The picture that emerges suggests that substantial proportions of young people experience risky or unwanted sexual activity, do not receive prompt or appropriate care, and experience adverse reproductive health outcomes. Contextual factors such as poverty, gender imbalances and lack of education or livelihood opportunities clearly increase the vulnerability of youth. Other factors at the family, community and …

Molecular Beacon Sequence Design Algorithm, W. Todd Monroe, Frederick R. Haselton

Faculty Publications

A method based on Web-based tools is presented to design optimally functioning molecular beacons. Molecular beacons, fluorogenic hybridization probes, are a powerful tool for the rapid and specific detection of a particular nucleic acid sequence. However, their synthesis costs can be considerable. Since molecular beacon performance is based on its sequence, it is imperative to rationally design an optimal sequence before synthesis. The algorithm presented here uses simple Microsoft® formulas and macros to rank candidate sequences. This analysis is carried out using mfold structural predictions along with other free Web-based tools. For smaller laboratories where molecular beacons are not the …

Mine Detection Dogs: Training, Operations And Odour Detection, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

The use of dogs for mine detection has expanded dramatically in the last ten years. However, research designed to explore and understand the issues underlying mine dog detection has not kept pace with that expansion. A poor knowledge base was recognised as a key limitation on further development and exploitation of this fascinating detection technology. The GICHD therefore accepted the challenge of initiating a programme of research on mine detection dogs, with the specific objectives of (1) improving understanding of the skills and limitations of dogs, (2) optimising their deployment and performance, and (3) raising confidence in their work.

This …

"You Just Give Them What They Want And Pray They Don’T Kill You”: Street-Level Sex Workers’ Reports Of Victimization, Personal Resources And Coping Strategies, Rochelle L. Dalla Dr., Yan Xia, Heather Kennedy

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

Using both qualitative (in-depth, personal interviews) and quantitative (self-report survey indices) techniques, data were collected from 43 women involved in streetwalking prostitution. The purpose of the investigation was to examine exposure to violence and victimization among a particularly vulnerable female population across the life span. A secondary goal was to apply stress theory as an organizing frameworkfor examining personal resources (e.g., social support, locus of control) and coping behavior. Results from both data collection strategies are presented, and implications for intervention are described.

2003 Dri Symposium Theme Leaders, Hamline University

DRI Symposia

No abstract provided.

Reflections [Complete Issue : Fourth Quarter 2003], Sigma Theta Tau International, Mary Margaret Mooney, Kammie Monarch, Patricia R. Messmer, Jacqueline L. Gonzalez, Sharon M. Weinstein, Ann Marie T. Brooks, Grayce M. Sills, Rita Turley, Lynn Basford, Scott Rhoades, Norman C. Olsen, Gail Wolf, Theresa S. Standing, Frances M. Kramer, Elizabeth Percival, Teresa Ransdell

Sigma Past Publishing - Reflections Magazine

Publishing History: Print issues of Reflections magazine were published from 1975 to 1999 and its successor, Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL) began publication in 2000. RNL migrated to an online format, http://www.reflectionsonnursingleadership.org, in 2006 and continues today.

RNL is a member benefit of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI). The historical print issues have been made openly available.

Publishing Frequency: Quarterly until its transition to online. It’s now updated virtually every day.

Format: Print, 1975 - 2005; Online, 2006 - present

Feature Articles in this Issue:Â

Hog-housed!

Magnet Hospitals: Powerful Force for Excellence

March to …

Comparative Evaluation Of Multiple Choice Question Formats. Introducing A Knowledge Score, Sheikh I. Rahim, Mahdi S. Abumadini

Neurosciences

OBJECTIVE: Over the last 6 years different multiple choice question (MCQ) formats have been used in postgraduate examinations for trainees in psychiatry. In phase 1 - K-type True/False (T/F) items with negative marking; in phase 2 combined T/F and type-A one-best answer (OBA) questions without negative marking; in phase 3 exclusively OBA without negative marking. The study compares the gross scores (GS) obtained with different MCQ formats, and introduces knowledge score (KS). METHODS: The study was conducted in the Saudi Council for Health Specialties, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 1996 to 2002. The mean percentile scores obtained by all …

Students Advisee System (Sas) / Bahariah Napiah, Napiah Bahariah

Student Works (2000-2009)

Students advisee system(SAS) is a system that will help as a way for interaction among students and with their academic advisor, This system may be very useful for the faculty of computer science and information technology areas. The main objective of SAS project is to create a web based application for interaction between students and academic advisor. In this system students allow to share their problem with their academic advisor directly without any limit. SAS includes 7 important modules and the main modules are Chat Room and Mail modules. Hopefully this system will be the most useful system and may …

Online Sales Management Systems For Computer Store / Kok Chen Mun, Chen Mun Kok

Student Works (2000-2009)

This project report is the documentation of the Online Sales Management System, which will be implement on a computer store that has several branches. In the first chapter, project overview and scope are discussed This system is comprised of four modules, which are Manager Module, Administrator Module, Staff Module, and Customer Module. Generally, this system allows the employees to manage stock, update information of the products, take orders from customer, view summary, etc. Meanwhile, customer can orders computer from the system, browse the products category and become registered user. Following is the literature review of the project that compare existing …

The Third Leg Of The Antitrust Stool: What The Business Schools Have To Offer To Antitrust, Albert A. Foer

NYLS Law Review

No abstract provided.

So Many Entertainers, So Little Protection: New York, The Right Of Publicity, And The Need For Reciprocity, Seth A. Dymond

NYLS Law Review

No abstract provided.

Maintaining Human Rights In A Time Of Terrorism: A Case Study In The Value Of Legal Scholarship In Shaping Law And Public Policy, Nadine Strossen

NYLS Law Review

No abstract provided.

What Is The “R” In “Irac”?, Michael B. W. Sinclair

NYLS Law Review

No abstract provided.

Recovery From Substance Abuse: The Role Of Unsupportive Social Interactions, Michelle Marie Schmitt

Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACTRECOVERY FROM SUBSTANCE ABUSE: THE ROLE OF UNSUPPORTIVE SOCIAL INTERATIONSBy Michelle M. Schmitt, M.A., M.S. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University.Virginia Commonwealth University, 2003Major Director: Kathleen M. Ingram, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology It has been estimated that over 20 million individuals struggle with substance abuse and/or dependence each year. Theories of addiction and recovery have long incorporated the notion of social support and helping relationships to facilitate adjustment. However, the literature investigating the role of social support is fraught with contradictions. In addition, in …

The Experiences Of International Students At An Australian University: An Exploratory Qualitative Study, Andrea Halse

Theses : Honours

The number of international students studying in Australia has steadily increased over the last ten years providing many benefits both to the country and Australian universities. However, little is known about the transition experiences of these students and there has been little acknowledgment of the issues facing students adjusting to a new environment and learning context. Typical issues that international students encounter include; language difficulties, homesickness, culture shock, lack of background knowledge and skills, housing difficulties, developing new social relationships and adapting to their new environment. Much of the research has been in the form of questionnaires and surveys focusing …

Does Whole-School Reform Boost Student Performance? The Case Of New York City, Robert Bifulco, William Duncombe, John Yinger

Center for Policy Research

Thousands of schools around the country have implemented whole-school reform programs to boost student performance. This paper uses quasi-experimental methods to estimate the impact of whole-school reform on students' reading performance in New York City, where various reform programs were adopted in dozens of troubled elementary schools in the mid-1990s. This paper complements studies based on random assignment by examining a broad-based reform effort and explicitly accounting for implementation quality. Two popular reform programs--the School Development and Success for All--do not significantly increase reading scores but might have if they had been fully implemented. The More Effective Schools program does …

Seeing Beyond The Habitus - On Action, Art And Healing, Tarquam Mckenna

'INSCAPE' - ARTCAP November 13-16, 2003

This paper is written as a conversation had at the ARTCAP Symposium in Perth 2003. It was a conversation that alluded to the imaginal realm and action art therapy as a way into understanding. It is offered as a spoken comment to bring voice to the reader. The format of the paper is such that the reader is encouraged to see it as a series of statements that are a conversation between a group of people. The paper begs questions which are still unanswered.