Medicine and Health Commons^™

Integration Of Services: Making Integrated Services A Reality, Frontiers In Reproductive Health

Reproductive Health

Programs seeking to provide a more comprehensive RH service may establish or strengthen referrals between related yet separately provided services that enable a client to receive the range of needed services. There are two main rationales for integrating services. First, many clients have needs for several services; and second, there is an expectation that providing integrated or linked services can be more efficient programmatically. Little empirical evidence exists to support these underlying rationales, or to guide policies and programs in organizing services effectively and efficiently. Lessons from FRONTIERS have demonstrated not only the demand for multiple services, but also the …

A Religious Oriented Approach To Addressing Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Among The Somali Community Of Wajir, Kenya, Maryam Sheikh Abdi, Ian Askew

Reproductive Health

The Somali ethnic community, in Kenya as well in Somalia, Djibouti, and Ethiopia, has practiced genital cutting for centuries and the practice appears to have remained largely unchanged. The community practices the severest form of FGM/C, type III or infibulation. The Population Council’s FRONTIERS program, with support from USAID/Kenya, carried out two studies to better understand the practice of FGM/C among the Somalis in North Eastern Province so as to inform the design and implementation of interventions that would encourage abandonment of the practice. Both studies collected data through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with community and religious leaders, …

Mental Health And Psychosocial Distress Sequelae Of Katrina: An Empirical Study Of Survivors, Francis O. Adeola

Sociology Faculty Publications

This study focuses on mental health and psychosocial distress sequelae of Hurricane Katrina cataclysm among survivors. The purpose of this article is to: (1) assess the variation in psychosocial distress among the survivors of Katrina by socio-demographic, structural and situational factors; (2) determine if there are significant racial and gender differences in the extent of psychological stress, especially between Black and White, male and female survivors; and (3) to evaluate the influence of resource loss or financial burden imposed, social support, and perceived victimization on psychosocial distress among survivors. The Gallup/CNN/USA Today survey data collected in 2005 and 2006 from …

Targeting Tuberculars: Social Stigma And Public Health Campaigns, Filomeno V. Aguilar Jr

History Department Faculty Publications

In the fight against tuberculosis one major obstacle is the social stigma associated with the disease. Stigma, which is both relational and contextual, marks the body of the tubercular as a site of danger. This essay reflects on the social history of tuberculosis and proposes that stigma’s contingent history in the Philippines can be traced to public health campaigns carried out during the twentieth century, which sought to segregate and isolate the tubercular to limit contagion but could not provide an effective cure. The stigmatization of tuberculosis persists at present, and public health campaigns may need to address stigma directly.

Kawasaki Syndrome In Texas, Alberto Coustasse, Julius J. Larry, Witold Migala, Cody Arvidson, Karan P. Singh

Management Faculty Research

The authors examined hospitalization rates of Kawasaki Syndrome (KS) among Texas children to isolate clusters, identify demographic disparities, and suggest possible causative factors. Using a retrospective cross-sectional study design, they studied 330 KS cases from 2,818,460 hospital discharges. The majority of the cases (61.5%) occurred within the 1-4-years-old category, representing the highest hospitalization rate (14.3 per 100,000 children). Almost 75% of the KS population was less than 5 years old, with hospitalization rates approximately 8 times higher than that of all other children (p < .05). KS diagnosis occurred for only 49.4% of all KS cases upon admission. Along with high-density clusters identified in major metropolitan areas, the authors found the highest rates of KS among Asian and Pacific Islander and non-Hispanic black children. Genetic predispositions and access to healthcare issues may explain the results. The authors recommend improving educational initiatives with healthcare providers and establishing KS as a reportable condition.

Patterns Of Commodity Food Use Among American Indians, Michelle Chino, Darlene R. Haff, Carolee Dodge Francis

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

Objectives: To better understand risks for obesity and diabetes among American Indians.

Methods: Adults from tribes across the country surveyed to explore commodity food use patterns and food choice.

Results: Respondents reported second and third generation commodity food use. Current commodity users stated preferences for canned and packaged meals and were more likely to participate in other federal food programs.

Conclusions: Low-income, nutritionally stressed families relying on federal food programs may be at increased risk of obesity and diet-related chronic conditions due to long-term use of foods that are high in fat and calories and low in fiber.

The Making Of The Kenya Sexual Offenses Act, 2006: Behind The Scenes, Washington Onyango-Ouma, Njoki Ndung'u, Nancy Baraza, Harriet Birungi

Reproductive Health

Kenya’s enactment of the Sexual Offenses Bill in 2006 was a milestone in dealing with sexual offenses and gender-based violence. The bill is Kenya’s first legal recognition of the many sex crimes that occur in the country. Among other things, the law criminalizes deliberate transmission of HIV/AIDS and provides rape victims with free medical care and counseling in public institutions. Convicted rapists will now face a minimum sentence of ten years, while a maximum penalty will be life imprisonment. A retrospective study was conducted to document the process leading to the enactment of the law. The objective was to document …

Cartographie Sociale Des Espaces De Rencontres Des Adolescentes Mariées Ou Non Dans La Zone D'Intervention Du Projet, Gisele Kaboré, Abdoulaye Semde, Lanko Some

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

L’étude sur la cartographie sociale des espaces de rencontres des adolescentes mariées ou non dans les zones d’intervention du projet « Éliminer le mariage des enfants au Burkina : un plan pour la protection, le renforcement et l’action communautaire » s’est déroulée dans les 24 sites du projet. Elle a permis de recenser dans les différentes localités en plus des structures publiques, des groupements, des associations, des ONG et projets, des radios, et des espaces de rencontre des adolescents. Des recommendations formulées pour l’atteinte des objectifs du projet comprennent: la création des espaces de rencontre des adolescent(e)s, la promotion des …

Etude Qualitative Sur Le Mariage Précoce Des Adolescentes: Leur Vécu, Leurs Besoins En Matière D'Éducation, De Santé De La Reproduction Et D'Opportunités Socio-Économiques, Gisele Kaboré

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

La présente étude sur le mariage précoce des adolescentes à été commanditée par l’UNFPA en collaboration avec l’UNICEF et le Ministère de l’Action Sociale dans le cadre du projet « Éliminer le mariage des enfants au Burkina : un plan pour la protection, le renforcement et l’action communautaire ». Elle vise à fournir des informations relatives à la pratique du mariage précoce sur les zones d’intervention du projet, afin de faciliter les interventions visant à améliorer les conditions de vie des adolescentes mariées ou non. Il s’agissait d’analyser le contexte socioculturel du mariage des adolescentes ainsi que leur vécu et …

Itinéraires Thérapeutiques Des Adolescentes Pendant La Grossesse, L'Accouchement Et La Période Post-Partum Dans La Zone D'Intervention Du Projet, Gisele Kaboré, Aicha Tamboura/Diawara, Assita Nacanabo Diallo, Abdoulaye Karama

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Le Population Council a réalisé une étude sur « les itinéraires thérapeutiques des adolescentes pendant la grossesse, l’accouchement et la période post-partum » dans cinq régions du Burkina Faso. Il s’agissait d’une étude qualitative, exploratoire qui a permis d’identifier et de décrire les itinéraires thérapeutiques des adolescentes en grossesse et post-partum en vue de déceler les obstacles liés à la fréquentation des centres de santé dans le suivi de la grossesse, de l’accouchement assisté et des soins aux nouveau-nés. Les résultats de l’étude montrent que, d’une manière générale, les adolescentes mariées ou non ont recours aux soins traditionnels à domicile …

Mesures De La Qualité De L'Emploi Au Maroc: Vers La Construction D'Un Indicateur Composite, Touhami Abdelkhalek, Aziz Ajbilou, Mohamed Benkassmi

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

La qualité de l’emploi, son approche et sa mesure sont devenues des préoccupations majeures de plusieurs pays et organisations internationales dont le Bureau International du Travail (BIT). Dans ce travail, nous essayons de poser ce problème pour la première fois au Maroc. La prise de conscience relative à ce phénomène s’est retrouvée au cœur des débats dans les pays en développement, surtout ceux qui ont connu une libéralisation accrue des échanges et des ajustements sur les législations du marché du travail. Au Maroc, comme dans d’autres pays, un constat encourageant a été enregistré avec la baisse tendancielle du taux de …

Directory Of Programs For Rural Girls In Ethiopia, Elshaday Kifle, Mekuria Yilma, Emil Parker

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Rural girls in Ethiopia face significant challenges on a host of issues including health, education, civic participation, and access to services. Beyond traditional female roles of wife and mother, the livelihood options open to girls and women are narrow. The goal of the Ethiopia “Brain Trust” project is to expand and improve programs for rural girls in Ethiopia. Under the Trust, a team of program practitioners convenes to explore best practices in reaching and supporting rural girls. Currently, 18 organizations are represented in the Trust. In addition, the Trust seeks to improve networking and information sharing among program practitioners working …

Broadening Girls' Horizons: Effects Of Life Skills Education Programme In Rural Uttar Pradesh, Rajib Acharya, Shveta Kalyanwala, Shireen J. Jejeebhoy, Vinita Nathani

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This report is the result of a collaborative project undertaken by Prerana, a Delhi-based NGO, and the Population Council to implement a life-skills education program for unmarried adolescent girls in rural Uttar Pradesh and to evaluate its effectiveness. The intervention program aimed to empower unmarried adolescent girls aged 13–17 years and address their vulnerabilities by: building their agency, fostering egalitarian gender role attitudes, building awareness about sexual and reproductive health matters, developing vocational skills and future work aspirations, and influencing perceptions about marriage and the ability to negotiate marriage-related decisions (delaying marriage and first pregnancy).

Needs Assessment Of Marginalised, Socially Excluded Immigrant Populations In Johannesburg, South Africa, Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

The birth of democracy in South Africa and the subsequent economic boom have made the country a prospective haven for many Africans willing or forced to leave their countries. Johannesburg has maintained its reputation as a city where everything is possible and accessible. Berea, Hillbrow, and Yeoville have become destinations for both internal and international (cross-border) migrants as a consequence of their proximity to the city center. However, migrant populations face obstacles that limit access to basic services such as health care, housing, transportation, employment, credit, and security. Asylum-seekers, refugees, and the undocumented are particularly vulnerable and at risk of …

Transition To Marriage And Parenthood Among Youth In Jharkhand, International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Delaying the transition to marriage and parenthood among young people has been a policy and program priority for a number of years in India. For example, several national-level policies formulated since 2000 have advocated special program attention to delay age at marriage and age at first birth. Despite these commitments, substantial proportions of girls continue to marry in adolescence. As recently as in 2005–06, more than two-fifths of women aged 20–24 were married by 18 years nationally. Likewise, over one-fifth of women aged 20–24 had given birth before age 18 and two-fifths before age 20. While the magnitude of early …

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

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Premarital partnerships among youth, including those that do not involve sexual relations, are widely discouraged in India. 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 sex or family life education and sexual and reproductive health services to unmarried young people. While several small and unrepresentative studies have noted that sizable proportions of young people, particularly young men, are sexually active before marriage, the lack of rigorous and representative evidence on the levels …

Transition To Work Roles Among Youth In Jharkhand, International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Enabling young people to make a successful transition to work roles is one of the major thrusts of the Jharkhand Youth Policy. Two of the policy’s six objectives are directed toward achieving this goal: promoting education, vocational education, and training opportunities for youth and facilitating access to information, guidance, and employment; and creating an enabling environment for sustainable and gainful livelihood, employment, financial credit, and other services. This policy brief documents the extent to which youth in the state are equipped to make a successful transition to work roles and the extent to which they are making that transition. Are …

Transition To Work Roles Among Youth In Bihar, International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Achieving full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and young people, is one of the targets articulated under the Millennium Development Goals and ratified by countries worldwide, including India. Reflecting India’s commitment to meeting the employment needs of its citizens, new policy and programmatic initiatives have been launched in recent years. It is important to take stock of the extent to which youth are equipped to make a successful transition to work roles and the extent to which they are making that transition. This policy brief aims to do so for the state of Bihar. Are …

Transition To Marriage And Parenthood Among Youth In Bihar, International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Delaying the transition to marriage and parenthood among young people has been a policy and program priority for several years in India. Several national-level policies formulated since 2000 have advocated special program attention to delay age at marriage and age at first birth. Despite these commitments, substantial proportions of girls continue to marry in adolescence. As recently as 2005–06, more than two-fifths of women aged 20–24 were married by 18 years nationally. Likewise, over one-fifth of women aged 20–24 had given birth before age 18 and two-fifths before age 20. While the magnitude of early marriage and childbearing has been …

Youth Participation In Civil Society And Political Life In Rajasthan, International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Youth participation in civil society and political life is increasingly recognized as an important development objective. The opportunities for participation that young people experience in their communities may influence their development and the kind of transitions they make to adulthood. Behaviors and attitudes relating to community participation that individuals adopt as young people predict their lifelong civic affiliations and perspectives. In India, the National Youth Policy 2003 has underscored the role of India’s youth in political decision-making, and has argued for greater representation of youth in appropriate bodies as well as more extensive youth participation in the design and implementation …

Transition To Marriage And Parenthood Among Youth In Rajasthan, International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Delaying the transition to marriage and parenthood among young people has been a policy and program priority for several years in India. Several national-level policies formulated since 2000 have advocated special program attention to delay age at marriage and age at first birth. Despite these commitments, substantial proportions of girls continue to marry in adolescence in India. As recently as in 2005–06, more than two-fifths of women aged 20–24 were married by 18 years nationally. Likewise, over one-fifth of women aged 20–24 had given birth before age 18 and two-fifths before age 20. While the magnitude of early marriage and …

Ensuring Education For All In Rajasthan: Highlighting The Obstacles, International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

The extent to which India will be able to successfully harness its demographic dividend depends significantly on the situation of its youth, notably on the levels of education and market-oriented skills they attain. While many states have made progress on the education front, many other states, including Rajasthan, have lagged behind. Looking at the current educational situation of youth in Rajasthan, this policy brief argues that significant investments in terms of appropriate policies and programs are required to: enable the state to achieve the Millennium Development Goals of universal primary education and elimination of gender disparity in primary and secondary …

Transition To Work Roles Among Youth In Rajasthan, International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Achieving full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and young people is one of the targets articulated under the Millennium Development Goals and ratified by countries worldwide, including India. Reflecting India’s commitment to meeting the employment needs of its citizens, new policy and programmatic initiatives have been launched in recent years. It is important to take stock of the extent to which youth are equipped to make a successful transition to work roles and the extent to which they are making that transition. This policy brief aims to do so for the state of Rajasthan. Specifically, …

Violence Within Marriage Among Young People In Tamil Nadu, International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Global attention to violence against women has increased significantly over the last decade. The recent United Nations General Assembly resolution called upon member states to intensify their efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women. In India, policies and programs have increasingly focused on preventing violence against women and supporting women who experience such violence. While several studies in India have highlighted the widespread prevalence of physical and sexual violence within marriage, little is known about violence within marriage among young people and the health consequences of those experiences for young women. This policy brief documents the perceptions of …

Youth In India: Situation And Needs 2006-2007, Executive Summary, Bihar [Hindi], International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This executive summary presents findings on the situation of youth in Bihar, part of a subnational study undertaken by the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, and the Population Council, New Delhi, as part of a project to collect information on key transitions experienced by youth in India. Transitions include those related to education, workforce participation, sexual activity, marriage, health and civic participation, the magnitude and patterns of young people’s sexual and reproductive practices before, within, and outside of marriage, as well as related knowledge, decision-making, and attitudes. The project was implemented in six states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, …

Youth In India: Situation And Needs 2006-2007, Executive Summary, Jharkhand, International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This executive summary presents, in brief, findings on the situation of youth in Jharkhand, part of a subnational study undertaken by the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, and the Population Council, New Delhi, as part of a project to collect information on key transitions experienced by youth in India. Transitions include those related to education, workforce participation, sexual activity, marriage, health and civic participation, the magnitude and patterns of young people’s sexual and reproductive practices before, within, and outside of marriage, as well as related knowledge, decision-making, and attitudes. The project was implemented in six states of India, namely, …

Youth In India: Situation And Needs 2006-2007, Executive Summary, Jharkhand [Hindi], International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This executive summary presents findings on the situation of youth in Jharkhand, part of a subnational study undertaken by the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, and the Population Council, New Delhi, as part of a project to collect information on key transitions experienced by youth in India. Transitions include those related to education, workforce participation, sexual activity, marriage, health and civic participation, the magnitude and patterns of young people’s sexual and reproductive practices before, within, and outside of marriage, as well as related knowledge, decision-making, and attitudes. The project was implemented in six states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, …

Youth In India: Situation And Needs 2006-2007, Executive Summary, Rajasthan, International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This executive summary presents, in brief, findings on the situation of youth in Rajasthan, part of a subnational study undertaken by the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, and the Population Council, New Delhi, as part of a project to collect information on key transitions experienced by youth in India. Transitions include those related to education, workforce participation, sexual activity, marriage, health and civic participation, the magnitude and patterns of young people’s sexual and reproductive practices before, within, and outside of marriage, as well as related knowledge, decision-making, and attitudes. The project was implemented in six states of India, namely, …

Youth In India: Situation And Needs 2006-2007, Executive Summary, Rajasthan [Hindi], International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This executive summary presents findings on the situation of youth in Rajasthan, part of a subnational study undertaken by the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, and the Population Council, New Delhi, as part of a project to collect information on key transitions experienced by youth in India. Transitions include those related to education, workforce participation, sexual activity, marriage, health and civic participation, the magnitude and patterns of young people’s sexual and reproductive practices before, within, and outside of marriage, as well as related knowledge, decision-making, and attitudes. The project was implemented in six states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, …

Youth In India: Situation And Needs 2006-2007, Executive Summary, Tamil Nadu, International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This executive summary presents, in brief, findings on the situation of youth in Tamil Nadu, part of a subnational study undertaken by the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, and the Population Council, New Delhi, as part of a project to collect information on key transitions experienced by youth in India. Transitions include those related to education, workforce participation, sexual activity, marriage, health and civic participation, the magnitude and patterns of young people’s sexual and reproductive practices before, within, and outside of marriage, as well as related knowledge, decision-making, and attitudes. The project was implemented in six states of India, …