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2014

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Articles 1291 - 1320 of 1615

Full-Text Articles in Public Health

Relationships Between Breastfeeding, Maternal Cigarette Smoking During Pregnancy, And The Cognitive Functioning Of Akwesasne Mohawk Adolescents Exposed To Environmental Pollution, Georgia Brooke Jan 2014

Relationships Between Breastfeeding, Maternal Cigarette Smoking During Pregnancy, And The Cognitive Functioning Of Akwesasne Mohawk Adolescents Exposed To Environmental Pollution, Georgia Brooke

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Previous research has suggested that breastfeeding is beneficial for children's health and that maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy is harmful for children's health. However, there is not a consensus in the existing literature about whether or not these two maternal behaviors impact the cognitive development of children. Furthermore, understanding the role of breastfeeding in children's development is complicated by the fact that breastfeeding transmits toxicants that are stored in the mother's body, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), to the infant. Existing research suggests that PCBs negatively impact children's cognitive functioning. The current study examined relationships between breastfeeding, maternal cigarette smoking during …

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Exposure Assessment And Risk Management Of Engineered Nanoparticles : Investigation In Semiconductor Wafer Processing, Michele Shepard Jan 2014

Exposure Assessment And Risk Management Of Engineered Nanoparticles : Investigation In Semiconductor Wafer Processing, Michele Shepard

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are currently used in hundreds of commercial products and industrial processes, with more applications being investigated. Nanomaterials have unique properties that differ from bulk materials. While these properties may enable technological advancements, the potential risks of ENMs to people and the environment are not yet fully understood. Certain low solubility nanoparticles are more toxic than their bulk material, such that existing occupational exposure limits may not be sufficiently protective for workers. Risk assessments are currently challenging due to gaps in data on the numerous emerging materials and applications as well as method uncertainties and limitations.

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A Population-Based Case-Control Study Of The Association Between Extreme Heat Events And Neural Tube Defects And Oral Clefts, Aida Soim Jan 2014

A Population-Based Case-Control Study Of The Association Between Extreme Heat Events And Neural Tube Defects And Oral Clefts, Aida Soim

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

With climate change it is expected that extreme weather events will become more frequent and longer in duration. The health consequences of maternal exposure during pregnancy to extreme heat events are not well understood in spite of biological plausibility for adverse effects suggested by prior findings. There is very limited research that explores the relationship between extreme heat events and birth defects. The overall goal of this line of research was to determine whether heatwaves (HW) are associated with two major classes of birth defects: neural tube defects (NTDs) and oral clefts. One component of this project aimed to describe …

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Initiation And Completion Of Adjuvant Chemotherapy Among Colorectal Cancer Patients, Ashar Ata Jan 2014

Initiation And Completion Of Adjuvant Chemotherapy Among Colorectal Cancer Patients, Ashar Ata

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Introduction: For regionally advanced colorectal cancers resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) is the recommended treatment. Despite consensus on benefits, studies have shown that a significant proportion of patients do not initiate it. Among those who initiate the survival benefits of chemotherapy cannot be fully realized without completed treatment. Without supplementing treatment information from insurance claims cancer registries are inadequate for assessment of ACT utilization. This study was aimed at measuring the initiation and completion of ACT among colorectal cancer patients and identifying the associated factors.

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Risk Perceptions Of Cardiovascular Disease In College Students, Antonia Kolas Jan 2014

Risk Perceptions Of Cardiovascular Disease In College Students, Antonia Kolas

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

College students oftentimes underestimate their risk perception of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study examined undergraduate students' perception of efficacy and perception of threat of cardiovascular disease. A paper survey was distributed to three undergraduate student classes (n = 127; 66.9% female; 33.1% male; 83.5% White/Caucasian; M age = 20.00). This 17-item survey assessed demographics, perception of general health, perception of efficacy of cardiovascular disease, and perception of threat of cardiovascular disease. Analyses included Cronbach's alpha, descriptive, frequencies, and independent sample t-test. College students have a higher perception of efficacy (M = 24.45 out of 30.00; SD = 4.35) and a …

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Spirits And Syringes: Malaria As An Epidemic, A Spiritual Punishment, And An Act Of War, Kelly Blair 14 Jan 2014

Spirits And Syringes: Malaria As An Epidemic, A Spiritual Punishment, And An Act Of War, Kelly Blair 14

Honor Scholar Theses

None.

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Dabigatran And Warfarin For Stroke Prevention In Atrial Fibrillation: Use, Switching, And Clinical Effects Following New Market Entry In Real-World Patients, Julie C. Lauffenburger '03 Jan 2014

Dabigatran And Warfarin For Stroke Prevention In Atrial Fibrillation: Use, Switching, And Clinical Effects Following New Market Entry In Real-World Patients, Julie C. Lauffenburger '03

Doctoral Dissertations

Patients with atrial fibrillation frequently benefit from anticoagulation to prevent stroke and systemic embolism. For decades, warfarin was the primary oral anticoagulant option despite its narrow therapeutic index requiring monitoring and drug-drug interactions. Dabigatran’s recent availability provides practical advantages including no monitoring and fewer interactions; however, it lacks a convenient reversal agent for bleeding events. Currently, it is unclear what factors have driven anticoagulant utilization since dabigatran’s introduction, and little real-world evidence on the agents’ comparative effectiveness and safety is available. The objectives were to describe dabigatran and warfarin’s utilization and switching patterns and assess their comparative effectiveness and safety. …

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Validating Indicators Of The Quality Of Maternal Health Care: Final Report, Kenya, Charlotte E. Warren, James Kelly Kimani, Jackline Kivunaga, Brian Mdawida, Charity Ndwiga, Katharine Mccarthy, Ann K. Blanc Jan 2014

Validating Indicators Of The Quality Of Maternal Health Care: Final Report, Kenya, Charlotte E. Warren, James Kelly Kimani, Jackline Kivunaga, Brian Mdawida, Charity Ndwiga, Katharine Mccarthy, Ann K. Blanc

Reproductive Health

Despite widespread use, the majority of indicators proposed as measures of the quality of maternal health services have not been sufficiently validated. To accurately track progress toward national and global maternal health goals, the present study sought to validate and identify a set of maternal health indicators that can be practically applied in facility and population-based surveys. To evaluate indicators, the study employed a facility-based design. The study was conducted in public/government hospital facilities in Kenya and Mexico. Participants included women aged 15–49 who underwent labor and delivery at participating study facilities and the providers who attended them. Women’s self-report …

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Achieving Mdgs 4 And 5 In Punjab: The Role Of Family Planning, Population Council Jan 2014

Achieving Mdgs 4 And 5 In Punjab: The Role Of Family Planning, Population Council

Reproductive Health

This brief focuses on the policy options available to the Punjab government to affect the province’s population growth by 2050 and its potential to achieve MDGs 4 and 5. Maternal mortality is a leading cause of death among women of reproductive age in Punjab—about 16 percent of the deaths in this age group are pregnancy-related. Approximately 6,000 women die each year in Punjab due to pregnancy-related factors. Pregnancies that occur too early, too late, or too frequently increase the risk of maternal death. Lowering fertility rates by increasing the use of family planning can help reduce pregnancy-related deaths. The good …

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Training Manual On Basic Monitoring And Evaluation Of Social And Behavior Change Communication Health Programs, Praween Kumar Agrawal, Kumudha Aruldas, M.E. Khan Jan 2014

Training Manual On Basic Monitoring And Evaluation Of Social And Behavior Change Communication Health Programs, Praween Kumar Agrawal, Kumudha Aruldas, M.E. Khan

Reproductive Health

Social and behavior change communication (SBCC) interventions are key for addressing social and cultural barriers and achieving goals laid out for health programs. Often these interventions are not evidence based and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is limited. Lack of trained and skilled human resources for M&E has been a limitation in general. A serious effort is needed to build the capacity of M&E personnel to monitor and evaluate performance of SBCC interventions in terms of reach and effectiveness among intended audiences. The Improving Healthy Behaviors Program of FHI360 aims to provide technical assistance to strengthen capacities to monitor and evaluate …

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Measuring The Impact Of Contraceptive Use On Unintended Pregnancy And Other Health Outcomes, Step Up Research Programme Consortium Jan 2014

Measuring The Impact Of Contraceptive Use On Unintended Pregnancy And Other Health Outcomes, Step Up Research Programme Consortium

Reproductive Health

This brief describes several statistical models that have been developed to estimate the number of health outcomes that will be averted because of contraceptive use. Concerns have been expressed that this range of approaches—which overlap in the impacts they estimate, but sometimes use different inputs, mathematical algorithms, and assumptions, and may produce different results—may be confusing for policymakers, managers, and donors who want to measure or evaluate these impacts. To address these concerns, the STEP UP consortium convened two expert meetings to review the estimation methods used; come to consensus on methodologies and assumptions, where possible; and provide guidance to …

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Teaching Family Policy: Macro Societal Trends In Family Life, Leaanne Derigne Jan 2014

Teaching Family Policy: Macro Societal Trends In Family Life, Leaanne Derigne

Florida Public Health Review

Students in many different fields will inevitably work with families in their professional practices. Successful practice must incorporate an understanding of macro societal trends that impact family life. A course such as Family Policy will train clinical social workers, nurses, educators, public administrators, and many others to understand the larger social systems that may be causing problems for their clients and patients. It will also provide students with an understanding of the key policies that need to be reformed or passed in order to better support families. This article presents techniques for teaching a dynamic course on family policy including …

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Nurse Practitioners’ Attitudes And Knowledge About Influenza Immunization, Kim Curry, Christina Humphreys Jan 2014

Nurse Practitioners’ Attitudes And Knowledge About Influenza Immunization, Kim Curry, Christina Humphreys

Florida Public Health Review

Influenza remains a leading cause of death nationally and internationally. Annual influenza immunization for healthcare workers has been recommended since 1984. Despite this, many healthcare workers do not receive the immunization. Nurse practitioners (NPs) are key primary care providers in the U.S. healthcare system. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and personal beliefs of NPs as a step toward understanding the reasons for the participation or non-participation in the influenza vaccine of this professional group. A quantitative cross-sectional survey of knowledge, attitudes, NP demographics, and patient factors was carried out. Most of the 174 participants had …

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Leadership Concepts In Poetry (And Some Prose), W Michael Reid Jan 2014

Leadership Concepts In Poetry (And Some Prose), W Michael Reid

Florida Public Health Review

The director of a public health leadership institute often spoke during the workshops and other meetings of the institute participants. He illustrated many leadership concepts in his remarks with verses from poems and selections of prose. Many of the participants in the institute found the passages illuminating or helpful in remembering the leadership content. After his retirement, the former director created a draft based on his presentations. This is an expanded version of that paper. It supplements the original pieces and contains discussions of the importance of the ideas in the selections. A number of the concepts are qualified with …

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Plates And Dietary Advice: A Current Trend In Nutrition Education Messaging For The Public, Judy E. Perkin, Claudia Sealey-Potts, Rachel Hochwald Jan 2014

Plates And Dietary Advice: A Current Trend In Nutrition Education Messaging For The Public, Judy E. Perkin, Claudia Sealey-Potts, Rachel Hochwald

Florida Public Health Review

Numerous dietary advice plate icons are currently being promoted in the United States. These icons are based on scientific studies related to diet and the prevention or treatment of chronic diseases. Icons also have been targeted to specific populations related to age, ethnicity, eating preferences, and level of physical activity. Plate icons currently being advocated stress the importance of portion size and the desirability of fruit and vegetable consumption while giving other types of advice as well. The multiplicity of icons may enable more individually tailored dietary advice but may also be confusing for the public. This paper reviews 16 …

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Closing The Political Gap Between Public Health Ethics And Public Health Practice – A Commentary, Akiva Turner Jan 2014

Closing The Political Gap Between Public Health Ethics And Public Health Practice – A Commentary, Akiva Turner

Florida Public Health Review

Whereas public health practitioners and leaders regularly make decisions that require some degree of ethical consciousness, sometimes these decisions are guided or even heavily influenced by political ramifications rather than healthcare and public health ones. Some relatively recent decisions in Florida and at the national level involving public health authorities may have been made where politics won out over sound public health practice. Only a few studies exist regarding what public health employees consider to be ethical issues in practice and there are few formal bodies that guide ethical practice in public health. In this commentary I argue that attempts …

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Perceived Susceptibility And Prevention Attitudes Of African-American College Students’ Toward Type 2 Diabetes, Chauneva Glenn Jones, Torhonda C. Lee, Ivette A. López Jan 2014

Perceived Susceptibility And Prevention Attitudes Of African-American College Students’ Toward Type 2 Diabetes, Chauneva Glenn Jones, Torhonda C. Lee, Ivette A. López

Florida Public Health Review

Whereas type 2 diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the general United States, it is the fourth leading cause of death for African Americans. This health disparity remains a serious and costly public health issue. This study investigated the type 2 diabetes preventive behaviors and intentions among 130 African-American college students. Data collection for this cross-sectional study included administration of a 23-item survey that measured knowledge, attitudes, perceived susceptibility, and social norms. We found that only 19% of the respondents perceived themselves at risk for developing diabetes. Students who had been told by a health professional that …

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Lessons Learned: Methods Used To Recruit Rural Latinos For A Health Awareness Study, Alex Ortiz Jan 2014

Lessons Learned: Methods Used To Recruit Rural Latinos For A Health Awareness Study, Alex Ortiz

Florida Public Health Review

The growth of the nation’s Latino population in rural areas may provide challenges for investigators seeking to recruit a diverse participant pool for use in survey and focus group research. This paper presents a case study that describes the successful recruitment of rural Latinos as part of a multidisciplinary health awareness project that targeted adolescent Latinos, ages 11-15, and at least one parent or guardian. Logistical considerations when organizing a series of surveys and focus groups in rural areas are presented. Lessons learned from working with participants in the study are also included, such as providing child care services, addressing …

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A Local Health Department’S Use Of Clas To Advance Health Equity, Ericka Burroughs, Yolanda G. Martinez Jan 2014

A Local Health Department’S Use Of Clas To Advance Health Equity, Ericka Burroughs, Yolanda G. Martinez

Florida Public Health Review

Health Equity is the idea that everyone has the opportunity to achieve optimal health regardless of race/ethnicity, educational attainment, sexual orientation, income, religious affiliation, residence, or ability. In 2014, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) deemed health equity one of its three agency priorities. Though there are a number of determinants that influence health outcomes, such as genetics, individual behavior choices, and access to health services, the social determinants tend to be the most complex and influential on quality of life and well-being. The DOH-Orange has implemented the Culturally Linguistically and Appropriate Services standards for Healthcare (CLAS) …

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At The Epicenter Of A Community-Wide Effort To Improve Public Health, Yolanda G. Martinez, Cheri Rufener Jan 2014

At The Epicenter Of A Community-Wide Effort To Improve Public Health, Yolanda G. Martinez, Cheri Rufener

Florida Public Health Review

This paper describes the All Into Health Project implemented between 2010 and 2012 as part of the Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative to address smoking in Orange County, Florida. The All Into Health Project exemplifies what can be accomplished through a combination of leadership and community organization. This demonstration project may inspire initiatives elsewhere that can lead to Florida becoming a comprehensive tobacco- free state.

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Nurses' Knowledge And Attitudes Towards Victims Of Sexual Trafficking, Jazmyne V. Simmons, Torhonda Lee, Mary Simmons, Ivette A. López Jan 2014

Nurses' Knowledge And Attitudes Towards Victims Of Sexual Trafficking, Jazmyne V. Simmons, Torhonda Lee, Mary Simmons, Ivette A. López

Florida Public Health Review

Florida ranks fourth in the United States in reports of human trafficking. Human trafficking is the second largest international criminal industry in the world. Globally, 80% of all transnational victims are women and girls, and half of all trafficked victims are children. Approximately $32 billion are generated annually from this global trade. The public health consequences include physical, sexual, and psychological trauma, as well as addiction and violence. Healthcare providers represent part of a safety net of professionals who may have the ability and access for identifying and assisting victims of trafficking. This study was investigated Florida nurses’ knowledge of …

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The Personal And Economic Impact Of Falls In Florida: Promoting Prevention, Laura C. Straut Jan 2014

The Personal And Economic Impact Of Falls In Florida: Promoting Prevention, Laura C. Straut

Florida Public Health Review

This paper describes the prevalence of falls in the United States, specifically in Florida, as well as the physical, financial, and emotional costs imposed on older Floridians after sustaining a fall. The accepted interventions for prevention are discussed with the goal of allowing health care providers to take a big-picture approach to addressing fall risk and to equip citizens to advocate for themselves to decrease their personal risk. Public Health can play a vital role in educating the public on potential risks and means to improve their health and safety in their home and community.

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Health + Equality + School Engagement: Scenarios Usa Reinvents Sex Education, Rafael Mazin, Andrea Lynch Jan 2014

Health + Equality + School Engagement: Scenarios Usa Reinvents Sex Education, Rafael Mazin, Andrea Lynch

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This issue of Quality/Calidad/Qualité highlights the experience of Scenarios USA, an innovative nonprofit program that has integrated a gender and rights perspective—and a critical-thinking approach—into sex education curricula, while fostering new pedagogies and greater awareness among teachers. Scenarios USA approaches sexual health not as a stand-alone issue but as intertwined with young people’s overall lives and agency. As such, the organization’s “sex ed” work is part of a broader strategy of fostering self-expression, leadership, and advocacy among youth, especially among those living in marginalized communities. The approach has made Scenarios a vanguard in the field of sexuality education. Scenarios’ experience …

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Balika Fact Sheet: Highlight On Gender And Rights, Population Council Jan 2014

Balika Fact Sheet: Highlight On Gender And Rights, Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Data presented in this Bangladeshi Association for Life Skills, Income, and Knowledge for Adolescents (BALIKA) fact sheet, “Highlight on Gender and Rights,” reveal that attitudes about gender equitability differ across domains and by the background characteristics of respondents in terms of education, marital status, and age. Those who are married, less educated, and young are less aware of gender equality and rights including domestic violence, autonomy, and confidence. The data suggest specific areas where interventions may produce positive outcomes. The BALIKA survey included a number of questions to measure the values held about gender equality in terms of marriage expectations, …

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Balika Fact Sheet: Highlight On Married Adolescents, Population Council Jan 2014

Balika Fact Sheet: Highlight On Married Adolescents, Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

In Bangladesh, marriage marks the beginning of sanctioned sexual activity as well as increased social isolation. When girls are not in school, they miss the opportunity to interact with same-age peers and form social networks. They may be less likely to gain skills and knowledge and have less earning power. Married adolescents have poorer sexual and reproductive health knowledge and more unequal gender attitudes. Young girls who are married to much-older men are in a disadvantaged position to negotiate in their marital home. This can have implications for realizing sexual and reproductive choice and health rights. This Bangladeshi Association for …

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Balika Fact Sheet: Highlight On Schooling, Population Council Jan 2014

Balika Fact Sheet: Highlight On Schooling, Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

School attendance is universal in the Bangladeshi Association for Life Skills, Income, and Knowledge for Adolescents (BALIKA) study area, but the persistence of early and child marriage leads to high dropout rates among girls. Compulsory primary education is free in Bangladesh, and policies to improve access to schooling are generally credited with universal schooling at young ages. Only 1 percent of 12–15-year-olds have never attended school compared to 9 percent among 15–18-year-olds in the study area. The recent expansion of educational opportunity presents new challenges. Bangladesh is unusual by global comparison in the high proportion of girls who are married …

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Supporting Girls In Their Transition To Secondary Education: An Exploratory Study Of The Family, School And Community Environments Of Adolescent Girls In Gujarat, K.G. Santhya, Shireen J. Jejeebhoy, A.J. Francis Zavier, Rajib Acharya, Neeta Shah Jan 2014

Supporting Girls In Their Transition To Secondary Education: An Exploratory Study Of The Family, School And Community Environments Of Adolescent Girls In Gujarat, K.G. Santhya, Shireen J. Jejeebhoy, A.J. Francis Zavier, Rajib Acharya, Neeta Shah

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Despite government commitment to universal secondary education in India, few adolescents transition to and successfully complete secondary education. In India, limited efforts have been directed at parents to promote positive attitudes toward education and school completion. Recognizing the need for identifying effective intervention strategies to engage parents and communities to promote secondary education for girls, the Population Council and partners are pilot-testing an intervention to support adolescent girls’ transition to and retention in secondary education. Located in the state of Gujarat, the intervention focuses on girls in the last year of primary school and first year of secondary school and …

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Enhancing Livelihood Opportunities For Young Women In Rural Upper Egypt: The Neqdar Nesharek Program, Nada Ramadan, Nahla G. Abdel-Tawab, Khaled El Sayed, Rania Roushdy Jan 2014

Enhancing Livelihood Opportunities For Young Women In Rural Upper Egypt: The Neqdar Nesharek Program, Nada Ramadan, Nahla G. Abdel-Tawab, Khaled El Sayed, Rania Roushdy

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

During the 30+ years that the Population Council has been operating in Egypt, Council researchers have examined many facets of young people’s lives, including conducting nationally representative surveys in 1997, 2009, and 2014. This research has documented the marginalization of Egyptian women in the public sphere, including the labor market, as well as gender inequities in mobility and access to schooling. Neqdar Nesharek is a social and economic empowerment program that evolved in response to this research and from the Council’s experience over the last few years working closely with out-of-school girls in Upper Egypt via the Ishraq program. The …

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Accessing Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics In India: The Perspectives Of Adolescents And Youth, K.G. Santhya, Ravi Prakash, Shireen J. Jejeebhoy, Santosh Kumar Singh Jan 2014

Accessing Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics In India: The Perspectives Of Adolescents And Youth, K.G. Santhya, Ravi Prakash, Shireen J. Jejeebhoy, Santosh Kumar Singh

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

The recently launched Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) health program seeks to enable all adolescents and youth to realize their full potential by making informed and responsible decisions concerning their health and well-being and by accessing the services and support needed to implement their decisions. To realize this vision, the RKSK framework acknowledges that the strengthening of Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics (AFHCs) and the provision of correct knowledge and information through counseling services are two of its seven critical components. As the government makes efforts to roll out the RKSK program at scale across the country, reviewing the experiences of …

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Unicef Nepal Adolescent Development And Participation (Adap) Baseline Study: Final Report, Sajeda Amin, Ashish Bajracharya, Michelle Chau, Mahesh Puri Jan 2014

Unicef Nepal Adolescent Development And Participation (Adap) Baseline Study: Final Report, Sajeda Amin, Ashish Bajracharya, Michelle Chau, Mahesh Puri

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

The Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP) program is UNICEF Nepal’s endeavor to inform the design and implementation of an evidence-based program for adolescents. This ADAP Baseline Study Final Report documents the first comprehensive study of the lives of adolescents in 15 districts of Nepal with high levels of child deprivation where UNICEF is focusing its intervention. The ADAP Baseline Study is aligned with the National Plan of Action for Holistic Development of Adolescents launched in 2013, and highlights the sociocultural and behavioral aspects of adolescents in six domains: Education and Skills; Livelihoods and Financial Literacy; Enabling and Protective Environment; Gender …

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