Demography, Population, and Ecology Commons^™

An Evaluation Of The Effect Of Abortion Laws On The Timing Of Abortion, Elizabeth Fuentes

Dissertations and Theses

A record number of restrictive abortion laws, particularly those known as Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP), have been passed in US states in the past half-decade. TRAP laws differ from abortion laws that target patients, such as parental involvement and waiting period policies, because they are often expensive, difficult, or impossible for providers to comply with, resulting in the reduction or elimination of abortion services. This can result in farther travel to and higher costs of abortion services for patients; however, there are no studies assessing whether one consequence of reduced geographic accessibility of abortion services is delays in …

Young People’S Perceptions Of Advice About Sexual Risk Taking, Christopher Donoghue, Consuelo Bonillas, Jennifer Moreno, Melissa Cheung

Department of Sociology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Sexual and reproductive health indicators for young people in the USA have improved in recent decades, but teenage pregnancies remain high, and large differences between Whites and non-Whites persist in teenage births, abortions, and the acquisition of sexually transmitted infections. Prior research shows that young people are receptive to communication about sex from parents and friends, but peers have been found to be more influential on sexual risk taking. In this study of 617 young people aged 13–20 years in high-risk neighbourhoods for teenage pregnancy in New Jersey, we asked whether sexually inexperienced young people differed from sexually experienced young …

Breast-Cancer-Specific Mortality In Patients Treated Based On The 21-Gene Assay: A Seer Population-Based Study, Valentina I. Petkov, Dave P. Miller, Nadia Howlader, Nathan Gliner, Will Howe, Nicola Schussler, Kathleen Cronin, Frederick L. Baehner, Rosemary Cress, Dennis Deapen, Sally L. Glaser, Brenda Y. Hernandez, Charles F. Lynch, Lloyd Mueller, Ann G. Schwartz, Stephen M. Schwartz, Antoinette Stroup, Carol Sweeney, Thomas C. Tucker, Kevin C. Ward, Charles Wiggins, Xiao-Cheng Wu, Lynne Penberthy, Steven Shak

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

The 21-gene Recurrence Score assay is validated to predict recurrence risk and chemotherapy benefit in hormone-receptor-positive (HR+) invasive breast cancer. To determine prospective breast-cancer-specific mortality (BCSM) outcomes by baseline Recurrence Score results and clinical covariates, the National Cancer Institute collaborated with Genomic Health and 14 population-based registries in the the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program to electronically supplement cancer surveillance data with Recurrence Score results. The prespecified primary analysis cohort was 40–84 years of age, and had node-negative, HR+, HER2-negative, nonmetastatic disease diagnosed between January 2004 and December 2011 in the entire SEER population, and Recurrence Score results …

The Relationship Between Food Insecurity And Weight In The United States, 2011 – 2014, Sebastian Villamizar-Santamaria

Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies

Introduction: This report examines the relation between weight and food insecurity in the United States between 2011 and 2014.

Methods: The data used in this report come from the Integrated Health Interview Services (IHIS) and its food security index. Weight is assessed by body mass index, and the population is divided into four weight groups based on body mass index ranges.

Results: First, food insecurity rates declined among the general population of Latinos between 2011 and 2014, however, food insecurity rates rose dramatically among underweight Latinos over that time period. Second, food insecurity rates were greatest among the obese and …

Demographic Profile, Geographic Distribution, Disability Prevalence, And Likelihood Of Being In-Poverty Amongst Grandparents Responsible For Grandchildren, Carlos Siordia, Mary E. Rauktis

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Evidence-based research on Grandparents Responsible for Grandchildren (GRfG) continues to grow in recent decades. This brief report expands global knowledge on custodial grandparents by making use of a large data resource in the United States (US). The specific aim was to delineate the demographic profile, geographic distribution, and prevalence of specific-disabilities for the GRFG population in the US mainland. We also explore how demographic factors are associated with likelihood of being in-poverty. The analysis used data from the 2009-2013 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) file. The ACS is a nationally representative, yearly, statistical survey administered …

Predictors Of Quality Of Life For African American Women Who Assist Persons Who Receive Dialysis, Shaquita A. Starks

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The purpose of this predictive correlational study was to describe predictors of quality of life (QoL) for African American women who were caregivers of persons with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Five purposes, derived from a review of literature and conceptual model, guided this study. First, the study described the association between demographic factors (i.e., education, employment, age, marital status), and QoL. Second, the study explored the relationship between stress and QoL. Third, the study described the association between depressive symptoms and QoL. Fourth, the study described the association between family health/happiness and QoL. Fifth, the study described the extent …

Formative Research On Assessing Barriers To Fistula Care And Treatment In Nigeria, Charlotte E. Warren, Rachel Agbonkhese, Salisu Mohammed Ishaku

Reproductive Health

This report documents results of a systematic study of peer-reviewed and “grey” literature which identified studies relevant for understanding barriers to accessing obstetric fistula (OF) care in developing countries. To more comprehensively and holistically understand these barriers in Nigeria and potential enabling factors for alleviation, this study explored the perspectives of those involved in both identifying fistula and accessing care, such as family members and other community stakeholders including patriarchs, matriarchs, community leaders, and other opinion leaders. It also examines the cultural patterns, myths, and perspectives related to OF and how they influence women’s willingness and capacities to access surgical …

Pharmacy Workers In Kenya Need Training And Support On Medical Abortion Information And Referrals To Prevent Unsafe Service Provision, Jesse Njunguru, A. Finnie, Katharine Footman, Wilson Liambila, Kate Reiss

Reproductive Health

Despite the centrality of pharmacists in the provision of abortion services in Kenya, little is known about their medical abortion (MA) knowledge, attitudes, or practices. This policy brief reports on a study that set out to bridge this gap in the evidence. The report concludes that comprehensive training for pharmacy workers could improve the quality of MA provision and referrals, and help pharmacy workers identify opportunities to simultaneously provide clients with information on contraception and STI prevention. Such efforts would be in line with current Kenyan government policies to reduce the public health burden caused by the prevalence of unsafe …

Adapting A Health Systems Strengthening Model To Improve Access To Health Services In A Factory: A Pilot Project In Haiti, Carolyn Rodehau, David Wofford, Suzanne Brockman

Reproductive Health

The pilot intervention described in this brief took place at an apparel manufacturing company, Caribbean Island Apparel SA, located in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The project by the USAID-funded RAISE Health Initiative sought to demonstrate the value of a new management approach to workplace health services and practices in a garment factory. Specifically, the pilot looked at how the health systems strengthening model could be adapted to the private sector and could help build the factory’s capacity to manage the health staff and infirmary, institute clinical best practices, and expand the primary care roles for nurses, including providing family planning and reproductive …

Situational Analysis Of The Private Sector In The Delivery Of Family Planning Services In Egypt: Current Status And Potential For Increased Involvement, Nahla G. Abdel-Tawab, Doaa Oraby, Benjamin Bellows

Reproductive Health

The recent increase in Egypt’s total fertility rate, along with stalling contraceptive rates and persistent unmet need for family planning (FP), highlights a need to explore new venues for providing FP services. The specific objectives of this study are to determine the size, scope, and scale of private-sector FP providers (private physicians, nongovernmental organization clinics, and private pharmacies); examine the policy and regulatory environment for private provision of FP products and services; and assess business, financing, and training needs of the private health sector and the potential for expanding its role in FP service provision. To improve current trends in …

Acceptability And Feasibility Of Introducing Strengthened School-Based Sexual And Reproductive Health Information And Services In Accra, Ghana, Terence Adda-Balinia, Philip Teg-Nefaah Tabong, Maya Teye, Philip Baba Adongo, Placide Tapsoba, Harriet Birungi

Reproductive Health

An initial study conducted by Population Council under the Strengthening Evidence for Programming on Unintended Pregnancies (STEP UP) project in 2012 assessed the knowledge and reproductive health needs of adolescents living in selected slums in Brong Ahafo and Greater Accra regions with the view of informing an improvement in adolescent sexual health (ASRH) programming in Ghana. The study concludes that stakeholders generally believed there was the need for enhanced adolescent sexual and reproductive health services in school as the present system of delivering these services were not sufficiently addressing ASRH needs. The use of trained psychologists and health workers was …

L’Expérience De Femmes Ayant Subi Une Grossesse Non Désirée Au Sénégal : Une Étude Qualitative [Compte Rendu De La Rencontre De Partage Des Résultats], Fatou Mbow, Nafissatou Diop, Babacar Mane

Reproductive Health

Dans le cadre du projet Strengthening Evidence for Programming on Unintended Pregnancy (STEP UP), et sur financement de DFID, une étude qualitative a été menée dans la région de Dakar au Sénégal par le Population Council en partenariat avec la Taskforce sur l’expérience des femmes ayant subi une grossesse non désirée suite à un viol ou un inceste pour apporter la voix de ces femmes au débat sur la légalisation de l’avortement médicalisée. Une rencontre plus large, dont ce rapport est la synthèse, a été organisée en janvier 2016 par la Direction de la Santé de la Reproduction et de …

L’Expérience De Femmes Ayant Subi Une Grossesse Non Désirée Au Sénégal : Une Étude Qualitative, Fatou Mbow, Nafissatou Diop, Awa Diop Dabo, Awa Tounkara Cissé, Seynabou Ba Diakhaté

Reproductive Health

Dans le cadre du projet Strengthening Evidence for Programming on Unintended Pregnancy (STEP UP), et sur financement de DFID, une étude qualitative a été menée dans la région de Dakar, au Sénégal, par le Population Council en partenariat avec la Taskforce pour développer une meilleure compréhension de la vie des femmes ayant subi une grossesse non désirée suite à un viol ou un inceste et apporter leur voix au débat sur la légalisation de l’avortement médicalisé. Actuellement, qu’elles décident de garder la grossesse non désirée ou de s’en débarrasser, dans tous les cas, leur vie en est affectée. En interdisant …

A State-Of-The-Art Synthesis On Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: What Do We Know Now?, Bettina Shell-Duncan, Reshma Naik, Charlotte Feldman-Jacobs

Reproductive Health

Efforts to end female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) are a rising priority on many national and global agendas. Thus it is imperative to have a clear understanding of the scale and scope of the practice, and where it occurs, as well as the dynamics of change and the broader context surrounding it. This state-of-the-art synthesis offers a snapshot of the most recent data available as of July 2016 and the most relevant contextual information on key FGM/C issues in clear, nontechnical language that can help inform policymakers, donors, program planners, and other key stakeholders. The data point to “hot spot” geographic …

Evidence To End Fgm/C: Research To Help Girls And Women Thrive, Population Council

Reproductive Health

This factsheet describes a new Population Council–led research program, funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, which will join the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on FGM/C: Accelerating Change and the Girl Generation in the Campaign to End Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) within One Generation. The program will generate high-quality evidence to influence strategic investment, policy, and programming to end FGM/C. This five-year program will work in 6–9 sub-Saharan African countries to dramatically expand the body of evidence on the most effective approaches to ending FGM/C. The research program will be organized around four themes: building the picture of where, …

Evidence To End Fgm/C: Research To Help Girls And Women Thrive [Arabic], Population Council

Reproductive Health

[In Arabic] This factsheet describes a new Population Council–led research program, funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, which will join the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on FGM/C: Accelerating Change and the Girl Generation in the Campaign to End Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) within One Generation. The program will generate high-quality evidence to influence strategic investment, policy, and programming to end FGM/C. This five-year program will work in 6–9 sub-Saharan African countries to dramatically expand the body of evidence on the most effective approaches to ending FGM/C. The research program will be organized around four themes: building the picture …

Root Causes And Persistent Challenges In Accelerating The Abandonment Of Fgm/C, Jacinta Muteshi-Strachan

Reproductive Health

No abstract provided.

Routine Screening For Intimate Partner Violence: A Guide For Trainers, Odongo Odiyo, Chi-Chi Undie, Margaret Mak'anyengo

Reproductive Health

This the first regional document devoted to building the capacity of providers to respond to intimate partner violence (IPV). The training guide is a follow-on initiative to the 6th Best Practices Forum in Health of the East, Central and Southern Africa (ECSA) Health Community, held in August 2012. This Forum brought to the fore research findings from the region centering on the acceptability and feasibility of IPV screening, and culminated in the passage of a resolution by Health Ministers that prescribes the integration of gender-based violence screening into healthcare settings in the ECSA region. This training guide responds to this …

Screening For Sexual And Gender-Based Violence In Emergency Settings In Uganda: An Assessment Of Feasibility, Chi-Chi Undie, Harriet Birungi, Jane Harriet Namwebya, Wossen Taye, Lilian Maate, Margaret Mak'anyengo, Anne Katahoire, David Apollo Kazungu, Darlson Kusasira, Zahra Mirghani, Joanina Karugaba

Reproductive Health

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is a global predicament to which over a third of women worldwide are exposed. Its negative consequences for reproductive, maternal, adolescent, and mental health are well-documented, however there is sparse evidence for the feasibility of SGBV screening interventions in emergency contexts. Employing a descriptive case study design, this study assessed the feasibility of implementing SGBV screening and referral protocols within health facilities in the emergency setting in Western Uganda. Providers from two health facilities were trained to screen female clients routinely for current exposure to intimate partner violence and lifetime exposure to nonpartner sexual violence. …

The Africa Regional Sgbv Network Learning Brief Series: Learning Updates From Uganda (Brief #7), Population Council

Reproductive Health

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in humanitarian contexts is recognized by the UN Refugee Agency as a global concern and as a priority in its programming. Crisis-affected populations often face multiple forms of SGBV at multiple time periods (during conflict, during flight from conflict, and within post-conflict settings). The Africa Regional SGBV Network, set up in 2006, is addressing SGBV in humanitarian contexts in East and Southern Africa. This Learning Brief is one in a series of two that share critical findings on effective responses to the issue in Uganda. This brief highlights the endline evaluation which measured the effectiveness …

The Africa Regional Sgbv Network Learning Brief Series: Learning Updates From Kenya (Brief #4), Population Council

Reproductive Health

In an attempt to improve the reporting of child sexual abuse (CSA) and children’s access to services, the Gender-Based Violence Recovery Center (GBVRC) of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi, Kenya, is exploring the feasibility of routine screening for CSA in healthcare and school settings. Based on the findings, and in collaboration with the Population Council, the GBVRC is developing a response to CSA that takes into account the contextual realities. The intervention will involve dialogues with parents and children in primary schools. The aim is to get people talking about abuse in their community, the consequences of such abuse, …

Introducing Contraceptive Methods In Low-Resource Settings: New Opportunities In Kenya, Population Council

Reproductive Health

This factsheet outlines the Delivering Contraceptive Vaginal Rings project, awarded by USAID to the Population Council in October 2013 to foster the introduction of two contraceptive methods. The objectives of this project are to: 1) improve availability and affordability of a three-month Progesterone Vaginal Ring for postpartum breastfeeding women, and 2) facilitate regulatory approval and introduction of a one-year contraceptive vaginal ring containing Nestorone® and ethinyl estradiol—a long-acting method for non-breastfeeding women that is in the late stages of development. The factsheet identifies milestones achieved and new opportunities in Kenya to implement activities in the year ahead.

The Africa Regional Sgbv Network Learning Brief Series: Learning Updates From Zambia (Brief #5), Population Council

Reproductive Health

Over a third of sexual violence cases reported at police stations and health facilities in Lusaka, Zambia from 2000–04 involved children ages 10–14, according to a 2009 Population Council review. National gender crime statistics show that 2,234 cases of defilement were reported to the police in Zambia in 2013 alone. In an attempt to ensure that child survivors receive the full range of both legal/justice and healthcare services, Zambia Police Service, the Ministry of Health, and the Population Council are working to operationalize Zambia’s National Guidelines for the Multidisciplinary Management of Survivors of Gender-Based Violence. This Learning Brief is one …

Progesterone Vaginal Ring: Beneficial Role In Supporting Breastfeeding, Population Council

Reproductive Health

This brief provides evidence for the benefits of the Progesterone Vaginal Ring (PVR), as it supports (and even promotes) breastfeeding so that infants and children are well nourished, protected from a host of illnesses, and benefit from nursing that is uninterrupted by a pregnancy. In addition, the PVR enhances contraceptive protection for the mother so that she has ample time to recover from the previous pregnancy and delivery, while devoting her attention to the newly delivered baby. In this context, when breastfeeding has been recognized as a health behavior that impacts both mother and child and has the potential to …

Findings From Landscape Analysis In Nigeria On Pre-Eclampsia/Eclampsia, Population Council

Reproductive Health

Maternal and newborn deaths due to pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E) are preventable, yet in Nigeria this is the most significant direct cause of maternal mortality. The Population Council conducted a landscape analysis on PE/E in 2015 in seven states in Nigeria. This brief details the findings on national policy awareness, service provider knowledge and skills, facility capacity and preparedness, quality of care and community knowledge and perceptions. The brief concludes with recommendations based on these findings.

Findings From Landscape Analysis In Bangladesh On Pre-Eclampsia/Eclampsia, Population Council

Reproductive Health

Maternal and newborn deaths due to pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are preventable, yet in Bangladesh PE/E is the second most common direct cause of maternal mortality, after postpartum hemorrhage. To appreciate the enormity of this problem, at national and district levels, in 2015 the Population Council conducted a landscape analysis in four districts. This brief details the findings on national policy awareness, service provider knowledge and skills, facility capacity and preparedness, and community knowledge and perceptions. The brief concludes with recommendations based on these findings.

Findings From Landscape Analysis In Kogi On Pre-Eclampsia/Eclampsia, Population Council

Reproductive Health

Maternal and newborn deaths due to pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E) are preventable, yet in Nigeria this is the most significant direct cause of maternal deaths. To appreciate the enormity of this problem at country and state levels, a landscape analysis was conducted by the Population Council in 2015 on PE/E in seven states in Nigeria. This brief presents results for the landscape analysis in Kogi. It is clear from the findings that at the state policy level, there is limited knowledge of what has been developed nationally; there is confusion about how policies, guidelines, and protocols reach not only the …

Findings From Landscape Analysis In Sokoto On Pre-Eclampsia/Eclampsia, Population Council

Reproductive Health

Maternal and newborn deaths due to pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E) are preventable, yet in Nigeria this is the most significant direct cause of maternal deaths. To appreciate the enormity of this problem at country and state levels, a landscape analysis was conducted by the Population Council in 2015 on PE/E in seven states in Nigeria. This brief presents results for the landscape analysis in Sokoto. This landscape analysis identified the gaps in facilities’ and providers’ capacities for preventing, detecting, and managing PE/E. The brief concludes that a multi-pronged approach is required to address the systems issues that create barriers to …

Barriers To Fistula Repair In Nigeria: A Formative Study, Population Council

Reproductive Health

A formative research study was conducted in Nigeria to better understand the barriers and enabling factors for fistula repair care delivery and access. This brief presents results from a literature review conducted to identify and understand the delays in accessing and receiving treatment and corresponding barriers, to document interventions that help to overcome barriers, and to specify gaps in the literature that require further research. The report concludes that women’s concern over healing and reintegration reflects their expectation that the holistic approach of hospitals will bring them back to normal life incorporating physical, sexual, psychosocial, and economic rehabilitation. Awareness, financial, …

Contraceptive Use Dynamics In India: Cohort Study Of Modern Spacing Contraceptive Users, Population Council

Reproductive Health

This two-page activity brief provides an overview of the Evidence Project’s Contraceptive Use Dynamics in India activity. Modern contraceptive use in India has steadily increased, but remains heavily skewed toward female sterilization. Use of modern spacing methods such as injectables, the pill, and the IUCD is low, and discontinuation rates are high. Achieving the goal of expanding the method mix by increasing reliance on modern spacing methods, as laid out in India’s FP2020 commitment, requires understanding and addressing the reasons for discontinuation and for method switching (or non-switching), from both the users’ and the providers’ perspective.