Reproductive Healthcare Needs and Desires in a Cohort of HIV-Positive Women

Background. The aim of this study was to determine current contraceptive use, contraceptive desires and knowledge, future fertility desires, and sterilization regret in a cohort of HIV-positive women. Study Design. 127 HIV-positive women receiving care at an urban infectious disease clinic completed a survey addressing their contraceptive and reproductive histories as well as their future contraceptive and fertility desires. Results. The most common forms of contraception used were sterilization (44.4%) and condoms (41.3%). Less than 1% used a long-term reversible method of contraception (LARC) despite these being the methods that best fit their desired attributes of a contraceptive method. Overall, 29.4% desired future fertility. Only 50.6% of those sexually active had spoken with a provider within the last year regarding their contraceptive plans. There was a high degree of sterilization regret (36.4%), and 18.2% of sterilized women desired future fertility. Multivariate analysis found women in a monogamous relationship had a statistically increased rate of regret compared to women who were not sexually active (OR 13.8, 95% CI 1.6–119, P = 0.17). Conclusion. Given the diversity in contraceptive and fertility desires, coupled with a higher rate of sterilization regret than is seen in the general population, integration of comprehensive family planning services into HIV care via increased contraceptive education and access is imperative

What was retained? The assessment of the training for the peer trainers' course on short and long term basis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In Turkey, the studies have reported that the age at which sexual intercourse and sexual activity starts has been steadily declining. There is an urgent need to increase social and health services for young people in order to provide them with a healthy life by changing their risky behaviors, avoiding unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Sexual and reproductive health training particularly for adolescents warrants special attention and consideration.</p> <p>The objective of our study is to find out the short and long term effectiveness of a training course on peer education.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was conducted on 237 students who participated in a 40 hour Peer Trainer Training course. We utilized two types of evaluation methods to measure the effectiveness of the training on students' knowledge and attitude. The first method consisted of administering 3 tests comprised of the same 45 questions at 3 separate time intervals. Prior to the training a pre-test was given to obtain a measurement of base knowledge, and then an immediate post-test was given to evaluate the change in the knowledge and opinion of the participants.</p> <p>Finally, 6 months later the same test was administered to measure the retention of knowledge by the students. In the second type of evaluation, the participants' assessment of the training itself was sought by asking them to complete a Short Course Evaluation Form. We utilized SPSS 12.0 for descriptive analysis, and the Wilcoxon two related sample t-test were run.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>According to the pre and immediate post-test results, the training resulted in an increase in knowledge learned by an average of 21.6% (p < 0.05). Whereas, according to the immediate post test and the late post-test which was given six month later, there was a 1.8% decrease in the knowledge and attitude of the participants (p > 0.05). Participants thought that they had fun during training, and they became aware of what they knew and what they did not know.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Peer trainers with the training methods utilized, the knowledge and counseling acquired during training sessions will be able to provide counseling to their peers on reproductive health.</p

Contraceptive adherence among HIV-infected women in Malawi: a randomized controlled trial of the copper intrauterine device and depot medroxyprogesterone acetate

To evaluate contraceptive adherence to the copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD) and the injectable depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) among women with HIV in Lilongwe, Malawi

Medical eligibility, contraceptive choice, and intrauterine device acceptance among HIV-infected women receiving antiretroviral therapy in Lilongwe, Malawi

To determine medical eligibility for contraceptive use, contraceptive preference, and acceptance of a copper intrauterine device (IUD) among a cohort of HIV-infected women receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART)

Cruel and Unusual: The Architecture of Oppression

Currently over 2.4 million people are incarcerated in the state prison system in the United States. This figure is a result of dramatic spike in incarceration since 1980, in which the U.S. prison population has grown 800%. The U.S. prison population far out numbers every other country on a per capita basis. Today, 734 of each 100,000 Americans are behind bars. Within this population, two statistics stand out: 72% of prison inmates are incarcerated are there for non-violent offenses and 55% of the overall prison population is serving time for drug related charges. Decades of “get tough on crime” initiatives and a poorly devised and implemented drug war have taxed the prison system beyond its capacity. The prison system has long been based on a theory of punishment and atonement. Harsh sentencing guidelines put in place by the justice system were designed to deter crime, and in the alternative, to dissuade criminal offenders from ever returning to the prison system. Underlying the prison system’s ideology is that offenders will be rehabilitated in prison and will be less likely to re-offend. Research has shown that this is not the case. Truly, five year prison recidivism rates linger at 70%. The prison system has become a failed experiment that perpetuates itself. The flaws within the U.S. prison system become more apparent every day and the future of the incarceration prototype is of paramount importance. This thesis explores to what extent architecture can move prisons closer to their goal of rehabilitation and reduced recidivism. Prison conditions, prisoner-officer relations and the psychology of value and worth are evaluated as principal factors in the effort to reform this underachieving model of society

A review of the theory of continental drift

Includes bibliographical references.Includes illustrations and maps.The concept of continental movement and rearrangements appears to be very old, but the present theory of continental drift originated only 50 years ago. This theory lacked support because there was no explanation of the force capable of moving continental land masses. Recent study has provided new information about the earth's interior. Some of this suggests that the driving forces are convection currents moving under the earth's crust. Studies of earthquakes, heat flow, magnetic anomalies mid-ocean ridges, island arcs and trenches have caused renewed investigation of the older items of evidence for the theory. Research in paleomagnetism has resulted in efforts to plot wandering curves for the magnetic poles of the earth. These have been used to reconstruct continental movements. Oceanographic studies have increased information about fissures in the ocean floor, ocean ridge and the ages of oceanic islands. Parallel bands of ocean floor material with alternate normal and reverse magnetic polarity may be moving away from the mid-ocean ridges, pushing continental masses away from one another. Latest computer research has shown a low percent of error (less than 3%) in matching edges of continental shelves. Finally, radiometric techniques of rock dating also point to former continental linkage. This all supports the theory of continental drift. Some of the arguments against the theory of continental drift are also reviewed. The final decision to accept this theory may be some years away, and may take the co-operation of many geologists. Most scientists agree that a permanent value of the controversy has been the stimulation of keener observations concerning the fundamental properties of the continents and ocean floors and the behavior of the earth's lower crust and mantle.M.S. Ed. (Master of Education

Postpartum intrauterine device placement: a patient-friendly option

Abstract Women in the United States are increasingly choosing an intrauterine device (IUD) for contraception. Since the postpartum period is an important time to consider a patient’s need for contraception, offering postpartum IUD placement is considered best practice. Effective implementation of postpartum IUD placement occurs within a context of shared decision making wherein patients are given full information about all options and guided to methods that best fit their lifestyle. Within this context, both the non-hormonal and hormonal IUDs are safe, highly effective, well tolerated, and convenient options. National guidelines support the placement of IUDs, whether immediate (within 10 min of placental delivery) or early postpartum (after 10 min and before 4 weeks after placental delivery), for breastfeeding or non-breastfeeding women. Studies have noted increased IUD expulsion rates, but equivalent IUD usage rates with immediate or early postpartum placement. Postpartum placement requires additional skills that can be easily taught. Finally, successful implementation of a postpartum IUD placement program can be accomplished in hospitals using a team-based approach

Contraception for the Medically Challenging Patient

XX, 375 p. 20 illus., 16 illus. in color.online r