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Full-Text Articles in International Public Health

The Role Of Abortion In The Last Stage Of Fertility Decline In Vietnam, Bussarawan Teerawichitchainan, Sajeda Amin Jan 2009

The Role Of Abortion In The Last Stage Of Fertility Decline In Vietnam, Bussarawan Teerawichitchainan, Sajeda Amin

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Vietnam’s rapid fertility decline can be explained by very high rates of contraceptive use and induced abortion, but despite the overall decline, fertility rates vary considerably across the country’s 54 ethnic groups. To explore the prospects for further fertility decline through use of abortion among high-fertility minority populations, this study analyzes unique data from the Vietnam National Health Survey to examine ethnic differentials in prevalence and determinants of abortion and contraception, using a new classification system for ethnicity. The report concludes that providing improved abortion services alone is unlikely to reduce fertility among high-fertility minority groups. Service provision needs to …

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Making Pregnancy Safe For Women In Rajasthan: Targeting The Most Vulnerable, K.G. Santhya Jan 2009

Making Pregnancy Safe For Women In Rajasthan: Targeting The Most Vulnerable, K.G. Santhya

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

As recently as 2005–06, almost two out of three women in Rajasthan, India were married before age 18 years (of those aged 20–24). Moreover, half of currently married girls aged 15–19 years in the state had already begun childbearing. The dangers of childbearing among adolescent girls, whose bodies have not physically matured, are widely acknowledged, as are the links between poverty and unsafe pregnancy. Yet, less is known about whether morbidity and mortality experiences vary within the subgroup of adolescent girls, whether such experiences differ between adolescent and adult women of similar parity, and whether treatment-seeking behaviors and the delays …

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Toward Fgm-Free Villages In Egypt: A Mid-Term Evaluation And Documentation Of The Fgm-Free Village Project, Ghada Barsoum, Nadia Rifaat, Omaima El-Gibaly, Nihal Elwan, Natalie Forcier Jan 2009

Toward Fgm-Free Villages In Egypt: A Mid-Term Evaluation And Documentation Of The Fgm-Free Village Project, Ghada Barsoum, Nadia Rifaat, Omaima El-Gibaly, Nihal Elwan, Natalie Forcier

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This Population Council report is a mid-term evaluation and documentation of the process and approach of the FGM-Free Village Model in Egypt. The objective of this report is to create a knowledge base of information to support policy dialogue on female genital mutilation (FGM) and to assist in transferring knowledge about the model to other communities across Egypt and other countries where FGM is practiced. Impact evaluation at the community level shows the significant impact of the project in changing views and attitudes toward FGM among intervention groups. However, it also shows that FGM is an entrenched generational problem that …

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Female-Initiated Prevention: Integrating Female Condoms Into Hiv Risk-Reduction Activities In Kenya, Population Council, Liverpool Vct Care & Treatment Jan 2009

Female-Initiated Prevention: Integrating Female Condoms Into Hiv Risk-Reduction Activities In Kenya, Population Council, Liverpool Vct Care & Treatment

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

The Female Condom (FC) is the only female-initiated prevention product on the market today that provides simultaneous protection against STIs, including HIV, and unintended pregnancy. However, the FC remains limited in supply, not widely available, and underutilized in many settings. Improvements in FC programming are essential to achieve increased uptake and public health impact, and to pave the way for future women’s HIV prevention products. The Population Council’s Female-Initiated Prevention Methods project aimed to stimulate action and generate evidence around FC access through innovative program experimentation. The study was conducted to understand the challenges and opportunities these different access models …

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Enquête Sur La Contraception D'Urgence (Cu) Au Niveau Des Pharmacies, Nafissatou J. Diop, Babacar Mane, Ousseynou Faye, Cheikh Ibrahima Niang, Thiaba Thiaw, Aissatou Sano Coly, Fatou Mbow, Youmane Niang Faye Jan 2009

Enquête Sur La Contraception D'Urgence (Cu) Au Niveau Des Pharmacies, Nafissatou J. Diop, Babacar Mane, Ousseynou Faye, Cheikh Ibrahima Niang, Thiaba Thiaw, Aissatou Sano Coly, Fatou Mbow, Youmane Niang Faye

Reproductive Health

No abstract provided.

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Operational Research For The Introduction Of An Adolescent Health Package In The Context Of Cervical Cancer Prevention, Marieke G. Van Dijk, Katherine Wilson, Claudia Diaz, Sandra G. Garcia Jan 2009

Operational Research For The Introduction Of An Adolescent Health Package In The Context Of Cervical Cancer Prevention, Marieke G. Van Dijk, Katherine Wilson, Claudia Diaz, Sandra G. Garcia

Reproductive Health

This report provides findings from a WHO/PAHO/UNFPA meeting that took place in Mexico City in 2009. Participants discussed a proposed operational research study on adolescent health and cervical cancer prevention that would help support countries that have already made or will soon make a policy decision to introduce the HPV vaccine. Adolescents typically have little contact with health services, particularly for immunization programs. Since new HPV vaccines target adolescent girls, the introduction of HPV vaccines may provide an opportunity for adolescents to engage more with health services and this may create openings to offer packages of adolescent health services that …

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Mainstreaming Ec In Africa: The Ec Facilitative Re-Granting Program—Final Narrative Report, Jill Keesbury, Wilson Liambila, Youmane Niang Faye, Victoria Rumbold Jan 2009

Mainstreaming Ec In Africa: The Ec Facilitative Re-Granting Program—Final Narrative Report, Jill Keesbury, Wilson Liambila, Youmane Niang Faye, Victoria Rumbold

Reproductive Health

Since 2006, ECafrique has been working to build the capacity of African nongovernmental organizations to design, implement, and evaluate successful emergency contraception (EC) mainstreaming projects. Through a process of “facilitative regranting,” ECafrique annually awarded nine grants ranging from $25,000 to $30,000 to organizations from across Anglophone and Francophone Africa. The program’s objectives were to increase access to EC across Africa by supporting projects intended to introduce, scale up, or mainstream the method, and build the capacity of African NGOs to design, implement, and evaluate successful EC mainstreaming projects. Each grantee participated in an international proposal development workshop and received individualized …

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Acceptability And Promotion Strategies For Lng-Ius In Ghana: A Public Health Assessment, Philomena Nyarko, Cletus Adohinzin, Placide Tapsoba, Selina F. Esantsi, John Townsend, Nicholas Kanlisi, Ekua Ed-Nighpense, Gloria Quansah Asare Jan 2009

Acceptability And Promotion Strategies For Lng-Ius In Ghana: A Public Health Assessment, Philomena Nyarko, Cletus Adohinzin, Placide Tapsoba, Selina F. Esantsi, John Townsend, Nicholas Kanlisi, Ekua Ed-Nighpense, Gloria Quansah Asare

Reproductive Health

In response to concerns about the side effects of the IUD, the commonly known reversible, long-term method in Ghana, and to curb the shift from long-term to short-term methods, the Ghana Health Service decided to expand women’s contraceptive method choices by introducing the Levonorgestrel-releasing Intrauterine System (LNG-IUS), a hormonal IUD, into the contraceptive method mix. The LNG-IUS is a uterine contraceptive that provides effective long-term protection up to five years. Even though the product has been certified as safe and effective, it was necessary to ensure that it satisfies client’s needs and meets provider expectations. The Population Council, in collaboration …

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Special Needs Of In-School Hiv Positive Young People In Uganda, Francis Obare, Harriet Birungi, Anne Katahoire, Hannington Nkayivu, Aggrey David Kibenge Jan 2009

Special Needs Of In-School Hiv Positive Young People In Uganda, Francis Obare, Harriet Birungi, Anne Katahoire, Hannington Nkayivu, Aggrey David Kibenge

Reproductive Health

Since 2006, the Population Council has pioneered operations research in collaboration with local partners in Uganda to promote the sexual and reproductive health and rights of young people aged 10–19 years infected with HIV. Key findings show that many young people perinatally infected with HIV want to be in school to avoid social isolation, and about 70 percent of them attend school. However, there has been limited understanding of how the education sector should support this vulnerable group of learners. The objective of this study was to explore the special needs of HIV-positive young people in primary and secondary schools …

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Standards Required In Maintaining The Chain Of Evidence In The Context Of Post Rape Care Services: Findings Of A Study Conducted In Kenya, Carol Ajema, Emily Rogena, Hadley Muchela, Buluma Bwire, Nduku Kilonzo Jan 2009

Standards Required In Maintaining The Chain Of Evidence In The Context Of Post Rape Care Services: Findings Of A Study Conducted In Kenya, Carol Ajema, Emily Rogena, Hadley Muchela, Buluma Bwire, Nduku Kilonzo

Reproductive Health

Sexual violence (SV) is a serious societal problem that creates significant challenges to local communities in their attempt to create an overall plan for meeting the medical, emotional, physical safety, and legal needs of SV survivors. It is important to understand the existing links between the health sector and police as a basis for addressing the complexities surrounding SV. Appropriate management of SV survivors requires a standardized clinical evaluation, an effective interface with law enforcement for the handling of forensic evidence, and coordination of the continuum of care. From the public health perspective, the issues to be addressed revolve around …

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Improving The Health Care Response To Gender-Based Violence: Phase Ii, Meiwita P. Budiharsana, Mai Quoc Tung Jan 2009

Improving The Health Care Response To Gender-Based Violence: Phase Ii, Meiwita P. Budiharsana, Mai Quoc Tung

Reproductive Health

In 2009, the Population Council/Vietnam in collaboration with the Hanoi Health Service carried out an evaluation survey among Duc Giang Hospital staff to assess the extent to which awareness and perceptions of gender-based violence (GBV) had changed since the project commenced in 2005. The survey also assessed the extent to which the response of the hospital and Women’s Center for Counseling and Health had been strengthened, and made recommendations on changes to improve the situation. Overall, this project has been effective in raising awareness and willingness to integrate GBV screening into health services. The project conducted its training program at …

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Manual For Designing Community Based Interventions For Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage (Pph) Using Misoprostol: Standardized Pilot-Test Training Manual, Saumya Ramarao, Tekle-Ab Mekbib, Sarah Raifman Jan 2009

Manual For Designing Community Based Interventions For Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage (Pph) Using Misoprostol: Standardized Pilot-Test Training Manual, Saumya Ramarao, Tekle-Ab Mekbib, Sarah Raifman

Reproductive Health

This manual is a comprehensive, standardized, step-by-step guide for Population Council staff to use when designing and implementing community-based pilot interventions for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage using misoprostol. The introduction and background section provide basic information about maternal mortality, normal and abnormal pregnancy, and postpartum hemorrhage. This section also describes prevailing methods of prevention and treatment for postpartum hemorrhage, active management of the third stage of labor, and use of misoprostol for the prevention and control of postpartum hemorrhage. The second half of the manual focuses on how to develop a protocol for an intervention study on misoprostol. It …

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Sexual Violence: Setting The Research Agenda For Kenya, Catherine Maternowska, Jill Keesbury, Nduku Kilonzo Jan 2009

Sexual Violence: Setting The Research Agenda For Kenya, Catherine Maternowska, Jill Keesbury, Nduku Kilonzo

Reproductive Health

This research agenda is the result of a stakeholders’ meeting held in Nairobi on June 11–12, 2008, that identified, developed, and prioritized areas for research on sexual violence in Kenya. The meeting was convened by the Population Council, Liverpool VCT, Care & Treatment, and the International Centre of Reproductive Health, Kenya. Kenya’s research agenda is premised on the need to generate the evidence required to impact policy formulation and services strengthening. Knowledge gaps that form the basis of key research areas identified include the need to: 1) Understand the nature, contexts, and prevalence of sexual violence; 2) Document and evaluate …

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Multi-Sectoral Approaches To Preventing Sexual Assault And Domestic Violence: A Collective Force To Stop The Violence, Population Council Jan 2009

Multi-Sectoral Approaches To Preventing Sexual Assault And Domestic Violence: A Collective Force To Stop The Violence, Population Council

Reproductive Health

The Multi-Sectoral Approaches to Preventing Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Symposium took place May 6–7, 2009, in Gauteng, South Africa. The symposium aimed to: increase awareness of sexual assault and domestic violence and its relationship to HIV and AIDS among decision-makers; promote evidence-based programming for practitioners; advocate for increased preventative measures and service delivery around sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the public and private sectors; facilitate networking, strengthen and develop partnerships, and create opportunities for ongoing collaboration between key stakeholders; and inspire a coordinated plan of action for prevention that supports the government’s 365-day plan. South Africa has some …

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Ecp Handbook: Introducing And Mainstreaming The Provision Of Emergency Contraceptive Pills In Developing Countries, Sharif M.I. Hossain, M.E. Khan, Ricardo Vernon, Jill Keesbury, Ian Askew, John Townsend, Victoria Rumbold Jan 2009

Ecp Handbook: Introducing And Mainstreaming The Provision Of Emergency Contraceptive Pills In Developing Countries, Sharif M.I. Hossain, M.E. Khan, Ricardo Vernon, Jill Keesbury, Ian Askew, John Townsend, Victoria Rumbold

Reproductive Health

For many women, emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) offer an opportunity to prevent unintended pregnancy following contraceptive method failure, rape, or unprotected sex. Access to this safe, effective option remains an essential element of women’s quality reproductive health care. However, ECPs remain inaccessible across much of the world, particularly in developing countries where limited commodity supplies, provider competency, public awareness, and misinformation routinely coalesce to restrict availability. While ECPs have been introduced on a pilot basis in many countries, their effective integration into both the public and private sectors has lagged. Successful interventions are guided by the principle that provision of …

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Improving The Quality Of Family Planning And Reproductive Tract Infection Services For Urban Slum Populations: Demand-Based Reproductive Health Commodity Project, Md. Noorunnabi Talukder, Ubaidur Rob, Md. Mafizur Rahman Jan 2009

Improving The Quality Of Family Planning And Reproductive Tract Infection Services For Urban Slum Populations: Demand-Based Reproductive Health Commodity Project, Md. Noorunnabi Talukder, Ubaidur Rob, Md. Mafizur Rahman

Reproductive Health

Quality of care has been a neglected dimension of family planning (FP) services for a long time in Bangladesh. Furthermore, effective programs are yet to be implemented to address the imbalance in contraceptive method mix. As outlined in this report, efforts were made through an operations research project to improve the quality of FP and reproductive tract infection (RTI) services provided by NGO clinics in selected slums in Bangladesh. The capacity of these NGO clinics to offer high-quality services to slum neighborhoods was strengthened by training service providers, strengthening service delivery points, and improving counseling services to ensure client satisfaction. …

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The Refentse Model For Post-Rape Care: Strengthening Sexual Assault Care And Hiv Post-Exposure Prophylaxis In A District Hospital In Rural South Africa, Julia C. Kim, Ian Askew, Lufuno Muvhango, Ntabozuko Dwane, Tanya Abramsky, Stephen Jan, Ennica Ntlemo, Jane Chege, Charlotte Watts Jan 2009

The Refentse Model For Post-Rape Care: Strengthening Sexual Assault Care And Hiv Post-Exposure Prophylaxis In A District Hospital In Rural South Africa, Julia C. Kim, Ian Askew, Lufuno Muvhango, Ntabozuko Dwane, Tanya Abramsky, Stephen Jan, Ennica Ntlemo, Jane Chege, Charlotte Watts

Reproductive Health

The Refentse study aimed to develop a nurse-driven, post-rape care model that could be integrated into existing reproductive health/HIV services within a rural South African hospital, and to evaluate the impact of this model on the quality of care delivered. Following the intervention, there were significant improvements in the quality of clinical history and examination, and the provision of pregnancy testing, emergency contraception, STI treatment, HIV counseling and testing, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), trauma counseling, and referrals. The report concludes that it is possible to improve sexual assault services including PEP within a rural South African hospital at modest cost, using …

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An Assessment Of Sexual And Gender Based Violence In Wajir District, North Eastern Kenya, Gladys K. Mwangi, Guyo W. Jaldesa Jan 2009

An Assessment Of Sexual And Gender Based Violence In Wajir District, North Eastern Kenya, Gladys K. Mwangi, Guyo W. Jaldesa

Reproductive Health

A 2006 baseline survey conducted by CARE Kenya indicated that sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is widespread throughout Kenya’s North Eastern Province. Other findings revealed that high levels of stigma and gender imbalances are associated with sexual violence and female genital mutilation (FGM) and that a coordinated approach to responding to the service needs of survivors is missing. As noted in this report, there is limited awareness of the legal mechanisms available to survivors. The Population Council’s study in Wajir District ascertained the need for and possible components of an integrated and comprehensive services model that could meet the needs …

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Repositioning Postnatal Care In A High Hiv Environment: Swaziland, Charlotte E. Warren, Rachel Shongwe, Allen Waligo, Mohammed Mahdi, Goldy Mazia, Indira Narayanan Jan 2008

Repositioning Postnatal Care In A High Hiv Environment: Swaziland, Charlotte E. Warren, Rachel Shongwe, Allen Waligo, Mohammed Mahdi, Goldy Mazia, Indira Narayanan

HIV and AIDS

This Horizons report from the Swaziland Ministry of Health and Social Welfare discusses findings from an intervention which aimed to reposition postnatal care within the context of a high HIV prevalence environment. The objectives were to determine if changes to the sexual and reproductive health guidelines on postnatal care would result in the timely and quality provision of key components of essential maternal and newborn care in the postnatal period, increase utilization of postnatal care services among all postpartum women, and improve the care and follow up of HIV-positive postpartum women and their infants. The study confirms that the introduction …

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Feasibility, Acceptability, Effect, And Cost Of Integrating Counseling And Testing For Hiv Within Family Planning Services In Kenya, Wilson Liambila, Charlotte E. Warren, Saiqa Mullick, Ian Askew, Rick Homan, Ibrahim Mohammed, Robert Ayisi, Margaret Gitau, Josephine Kibaru, Mary W. Gathitu, Judith Maua, Helton Jilo, Juma Mwangi, John Njoroge, Anthony K. Wanyoro, Peter Mohammed Njuguna, Andrew Mboche Jan 2008

Feasibility, Acceptability, Effect, And Cost Of Integrating Counseling And Testing For Hiv Within Family Planning Services In Kenya, Wilson Liambila, Charlotte E. Warren, Saiqa Mullick, Ian Askew, Rick Homan, Ibrahim Mohammed, Robert Ayisi, Margaret Gitau, Josephine Kibaru, Mary W. Gathitu, Judith Maua, Helton Jilo, Juma Mwangi, John Njoroge, Anthony K. Wanyoro, Peter Mohammed Njuguna, Andrew Mboche

Reproductive Health

FRONTIERS supported the Division of Reproductive Health and the National AIDS and STI Control Program of the Kenya Ministry of Health to design, implement, and compare two models of integrating counseling and testing (CT) for HIV within family planning (FP) services in terms of their feasibility, acceptability, cost, and effect on the voluntary use of CT, as well as the quality of FP services. The study demonstrated that both models were feasible and acceptable to providers and to clients as means of integrating and linking HIV prevention counseling, condom promotion, and counseling and testing with FP services, and are effective …

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If You Build It, Will They Come? Kenya Healthy Start Pediatric Hiv Study: A Diagnostic Study Investigating Barriers To Hiv Treatment And Care Among Children, Karusa Kiragu, Katie D. Schenk, Julie Murugi, Avina Sarna Jan 2008

If You Build It, Will They Come? Kenya Healthy Start Pediatric Hiv Study: A Diagnostic Study Investigating Barriers To Hiv Treatment And Care Among Children, Karusa Kiragu, Katie D. Schenk, Julie Murugi, Avina Sarna

HIV and AIDS

In Kenya the proportion of eligible HIV-positive children receiving ART treatment is only 11 percent. This study explored and documented possible barriers in the community to accessing pediatric HIV testing and treatment, to guide the development of new interventions to encourage uptake. The study identified barriers such as cost, use of traditional healers, low knowledge of treatment options, attitudinal barriers, stigma, unique treatment issues, and dissatisfaction with available services. Additionally, healthcare workers missed opportunities to provide services and cited numerous service-side challenges. The study recommends prioritizing community awareness, mobile clinics, strengthening capacity of healthcare workers, supporting family-based HIV testing, and …

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Extending Prevention Of Mother-To-Child Transmission Through Postpartum Family Planning In Lesotho, Charlotte E. Warren, Semakaleng Phafoli, Bosielo Majara, Thato Tsukuluet Jan 2008

Extending Prevention Of Mother-To-Child Transmission Through Postpartum Family Planning In Lesotho, Charlotte E. Warren, Semakaleng Phafoli, Bosielo Majara, Thato Tsukuluet

Reproductive Health

Recognizing the need to improve the care and follow up of mothers and infants in the postpartum period, the Lesotho Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW), with technical support from the Frontiers in Reproductive Health (FRONTIERS) of Population Council and funding from PEPFAR/RHAP/USAID, carried out an operations research project to strengthen the existing postpartum care services. This study had a specific focus on strengthening linkages with existing PMTCT follow-up and family planning services during the postpartum period by changing the number, timing, and content of postpartum consultations that a woman and her newborn should receive. The key findings indicated …

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Meeting The Family Planning Needs Of Postpartum Women, Ricardo Vernon Jan 2008

Meeting The Family Planning Needs Of Postpartum Women, Ricardo Vernon

Reproductive Health

The first days, weeks, and months after a delivery represent a period of substantial information and service needs for both mother and child, including treatment of hemorrhage and infections, breastfeeding information and support, nutritional complements and micronutrients, immunizations for children and mothers, counseling for managing intimate partner violence and depression, and, most importantly, contraception. In areas of high HIV prevalence, contraceptives and antiretroviral therapy are especially critical elements of postpartum care. Yet despite its strategic importance, few organizations have made it a priority to address women's reproductive health and fertility needs during the year following delivery. The situation is compounded …

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Manual For Building Capacity Of Trainers And Program Managers In Emergency Contraception, Sharif M.I. Hossain, M.E. Khan, Mary Philip Sebastian, Sohini Roychowdhury Jan 2008

Manual For Building Capacity Of Trainers And Program Managers In Emergency Contraception, Sharif M.I. Hossain, M.E. Khan, Mary Philip Sebastian, Sohini Roychowdhury

Reproductive Health

This manual equips trainers with appropriate knowledge on emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs). Emergency contraception (EC) refers to any method of contraception that can be used by a woman to prevent an unwanted pregnancy within three days of unprotected intercourse or a contraceptive accident such as condom leakage. This manual discusses ECPs and the provision of related services. After a day’s training, trainers have the knowledge and skills necessary to train service providers and workers on ECPs. The manual is divided into four sessions. The first provides an overview of the demographic and reproductive health (RH) situation in South and South …

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Dominican Republic, Haiti, Nicaragua: Promoting Family Planning During The Postpartum Period Can Increase Contraceptive Acceptance, Population Council Jan 2008

Dominican Republic, Haiti, Nicaragua: Promoting Family Planning During The Postpartum Period Can Increase Contraceptive Acceptance, Population Council

Reproductive Health

The World Health Organization recommends that women receive information on family planning (FP) during antenatal care (ANC), immediately after birth, and during postpartum and well-baby care. However, few studies have assessed the effect of information during each of these stages on women’s use of contraceptive methods. Data collected by FRONTIERS in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Nicaragua have been analyzed to answer this question. Use of maternal care services, exposure to FP information, and use of postpartum contraception varies among countries. All women interviewed in the Dominican Republic attended ANC services and delivered in a facility; ANC use and institutional …

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Highlighting Marital Hiv Risk And Promoting Premarital Vct In Nyanza Province, Kenya, Ben Ochieng, Annabel Erulkar Jan 2008

Highlighting Marital Hiv Risk And Promoting Premarital Vct In Nyanza Province, Kenya, Ben Ochieng, Annabel Erulkar

Reproductive Health

This report describes a project undertaken in Kenya by the Population Council, in collaboration with PATH and Kendu Adventist Hospital, whose objectives were: 1) to design and implement educational strategies to raise awareness of the risks of HIV and early marriage; 2) to promote voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) for couples; and 3) to support and empower newly married girls through community-based clubs. The report notes that the strong technical support and leadership provided by the partners led to successful implementation of most project activities. The partnership enabled scarce resources to be shared, and has ensured that the comparative advantages …

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Romance And Sex Before Marriage Among Young Women And Men In Maharashtra, International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips) Jan 2008

Romance And Sex Before Marriage Among Young Women And Men In Maharashtra, International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips)

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Premarital partnerships among youth are widely discouraged in India. Indeed, there is a widespread perception that youth do not find opportunities to mix and form romantic relationships, and that premarital sex is negligible. These kinds of perceptions are often cited to argue against the provision of sexuality or family life education and sexual and reproductive health services to unmarried young people. While several small studies have noted that sizable proportions of young people, particularly young men, are sexually active before marriage, the lack of rigorous evidence on the levels and patterns of intimate partnerships among youth continues to hamper the …

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Sexuality Education For Youth In Maharashtra: Yes Or No?, International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips) Jan 2008

Sexuality Education For Youth In Maharashtra: Yes Or No?, International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips)

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Serious reservations have been expressed in Maharashtra about the sexuality component of programs intended to build awareness of safe and healthy behaviors for school-going youth. This policy brief answers: Is there a need for sexuality education in school and out-of-school in Maharashtra? Are the concerns expressed supported by evidence? Evidence was obtained from the Youth in India: Situation and Needs study conducted in Maharashtra, which explored young people’s awareness of sexual and reproductive matters, sexual experiences of youth, parent–child communication on sexual and reproductive matters, and experience and acceptability of sexuality education programs. Parents were asked whether they had discussed …

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Female-Initiated Prevention Methods (Fipm) In Kenya: Focus On The Female Condom, Martha Brady Jan 2008

Female-Initiated Prevention Methods (Fipm) In Kenya: Focus On The Female Condom, Martha Brady

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

As noted in this brief, the female condom (FC) is the only female-initiated prevention product that provides simultaneous protection against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Although available for more than a decade, the FC remains limited in supply, not readily available, and underutilized. Obstacles to widespread availability and use are often generalized (e.g., high costs, resistance of partners, or unavailability). With the upcoming second generation of FCs—and ultimately microbicides—being added to female-initiated prevention methods, the need to overcome these impediments with concrete solutions is critical. Government and donor commitment to long-term, sustained supply and program support is essential. …

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The Female Condom In Ghana: Exploring The Current State Of Affairs And Gauging Potential For Enhanced Promotion, Reshma Naik, Martha Brady Jan 2008

The Female Condom In Ghana: Exploring The Current State Of Affairs And Gauging Potential For Enhanced Promotion, Reshma Naik, Martha Brady

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

The female condom (FC) is the only safe and effective female-initiated method that provides simultaneous protection against unintended pregnancy as well as sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. An exploratory exercise was conducted by the Population Council to gain an understanding of the current and historical landscape of FC procurement, distribution, and programming in Ghana and to explore the viability of enhancing national FC promotion. The exercise revealed that a large-scale launch of the FC occurred in Ghana in 2000 and was largely successful in raising product awareness; however, uptake remained low. Momentum has waned since the initial launch and financial …

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