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The potential impact of community-based distribution programmes on contraceptive uptake in resource-poor settings : evidence from Ethiopia

TAWYE, Yenehun
et al
December 2005

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This article assesses the impact of community-based reproductive health services (CBRHS) and programmes on contraceptive use in Ethiopia. The 1993 National Population Policy provided a strong political backing to community-based contraceptive programmes, which grew in number and outreach to the community. The article shows that 'women living in areas covered by the CBRHS programme were three times more likely to use contraception than the average Ethiopian woman'. The study concludes that scaling up the programme nationwide would have the effect of doubling the national contraceptive prevalence rate

Programming for HIV prevention in South African schools : a report on program implementation

REDDY, Priscilla
SHEGS, James
MCCAULEY, Ann
December 2005

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This is an evaluation study conducted in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. It provides insights into whether learners who participated in a fact-based, interactive course had more knowledge about HIV risks, prevention, and care practices; more positive attitudes toward prevention practices and people living with HIV and AIDS; and a higher prevalence of reported safe behaviours, than comparable learners who did not participate in the course

The changing context of sexual initiation in sub-Saharan Africa

MENSCH, Barbara S
GRANT, Monica J
BLANC, Ann K
November 2005

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During the past 20 years, substantial reductions have occurred in the proportion of young women who report marrying as teenagers in sub-Saharan Africa. An oft-stated consequence of a delay in age at marriage is a rise in the proportion of young women who engage in premarital sex. This paper investigates the links between changing age at marriage and premarital sexual behavior in 27 sub-Saharan African countries in which Demographic and Health Surveys were conducted between 1994 and 2003. Using multiple-decrement life tables to examine the competing risks of premarital sex and marriage without prior sexual experience, we answer the largely unaddressed question of how reductions in the prevalence of early marriage have affected the likelihood of initiating premarital sex. Our analysis reveals that although the age of first sexual activity has either remained the same or increased, a shift in the context of sexual debut from marriage to before marriage has taken place in many countries. We assess whether the increase in the proportion of young women who report premarital sex is influenced by an increase in exposure resulting from delayed marriage or by an increase in the rate of premarital sex. The evidence on this point is mixed; in some settings greater exposure explains more of the increase, whereas in others an increased rate of premarital sex dominates

Trends in the timing of first marriage among men and women in the developing world

MENSCH, Barbara S
SINGH, Susheela
CASTERLINE, John B
August 2005

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The timing of first union merits investigation not only because of the close temporal link between marriage and the onset of childbearing, but also because the age when men and women marry has implications for the organization of family life and for gender relations within society. This paper begins by reviewing the contributions of various social science disciplines to an understanding of the timing of marriage. Using current status data from 73 countries provided by the United Nations Population Division and retrospective data from 52 Demographic and Health Surveys conducted between 1990 and 2001, we then examine recent trends in the timing of first marriage or union for men and women in the developing world. With the exception of South America for both sexes and South and Southeast Asia for men, substantial declines have occurred in the proportion of young men and women who are married. Given the differentials in the timing of marriage by educational attainment and residence, we assess whether the decline in the proportion of young people who are married is related to increases in schooling and urbanization. Expansion of schooling for women has had some impact, but a considerable portion of the reduction in early marriage is not explained by changes in levels of education. We consider other factors that might account for the increase in age at marriage. Finally, we review what is known about the consequences of changing age at marriage with a particular focus on risk of HIV infection.

Susan's sex support site

February 2005

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This website offers a number of online resources about disability and sexuality. Topics include gay and lesbian sexuality, aging and sexuality, sexuality and disabled adolescents, and more. The site also contains references to other resources and an online forum

A client-centered approach to reproductive health : a trainer's manual

POPULATION COUNCIL
February 2005

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'The Population Council has developed a novel framework for training providers to deliver client-centered reproductive health services. The essence of the approach is to bring about behaviour change in providers by making them more receptive and responsive to client needs. Further, providers are taught to treat clients with respect and dignity, to assess their reproductive health needs holistically within the context of their household circumstances, and to negotiate solutions that clients are able to implement. Known by the acronym SAHR, this approach involves four interconnected steps: Salutation, Assessment, Help, and Reassurance. Through operations research, SAHR was successfully tested in Pakistan in 2000-02. The training manual describes the SAHR approach and is meant to facilitate training of reproductive health providers in how to offer client-centered services. The manual is written in fairly generic terms and can be used, with slight modifications, in any setting or country. The manual has three sections. Section One, the introduction, is an overview of the contents. Section Two, the trainer's guide, comprises the training modules. Each module describes the individual components of client-provider interaction and includes learning objectives, key learning points, a schedule, and a list of materials required. Trainer notes and step-by-step instructions for each activity are included within each module. Section Three contains support materials to help trainers prepare for the sessions.'

Impact of sex and HIV education programs on sexual behaviors of youth in developing and developed countries

KIRBY, Douglas
LARIS, B A
ROLLERI, Lori
2005

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This paper discusses findings from a review of 83 evaluations of sex and HIV education programmes. The analysis found substantial positive impact on sexual behaviours in more than two-thirds of the evaluations and identified 17 characteristics of the most effective curricula used in the programmes evaluated. More information on this review is available, including links to data sheets on each of the 83 evaluations. [Publisher's abstract, amended]

17 fact sheets on gender-related aspects of HIV/AIDS | Resource pack on gender and HIV/AIDS

UNAIDS Inter-Agency Task Team on Gender and HIV/AIDS
2005

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These fact sheets aim to provide policy makers with concise information about gender related aspects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. They deal with core facts and issues in thematic areas and are underpinned by an analysis which clarifies how gender issues are fuelling the crisis. Each theme presents a self-contained set of issues and recommendations and many of the themes are interlinked. All of them are connected by a concern to promote a gender-enlightened and comprehensive response to HIV/AIDS and its impacts

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