Primary socialization theory and bullying: the effects of primary sources of socialization on bullying behaviors among adolescents

Introduction: Adolescent bullying has become increasingly recognized as a public health concern. Adolescents involved in bullying, as perpetrator or victim, have been shown to experience poorer physical and psychosocial health than those who are not involved. Adolescents who bully others are also more likely than those who do not to engage in more serious delinquent behaviors later. Most research on the topic has focused on the psychosocial characteristics of perpetrators and victims. Few studies have examined factors that contribute to the development of such behavior. With this study, I sought to apply the framework of Primary Socialization Theory (PST) to examine family, peer and school influences on the development of adolescent bullying behavior. Methods: Panel study data on 3,583 6th and 7th graders from 13 schools in 3 counties in North Carolina were used to examine the relationships between family, peer and school variables and adolescent bullying. Baseline data were collected in the Spring of 2002, and outcome data were collected one year later. Logistic regression models were used to test both mediational and moderation hypotheses regarding the relationships between social factors identified by PST. Additionally, multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between gender and type of bullying behaviors, as mediated by family bonds and normative environment. Results: Bullying prevalence was estimated at 58%. Family, peer and school normative environments were statistically significant predictors of bullying initiation; however strength of bonds to each of these three were not, nor did strength of bonds moderate the relationships between any of the three respective normative environments and bullying, as hypothesized. Age, ethnicity, gender and parental education were not significantly associated with onset of bullying. Gender was also not found to be a significant predictor of type of bullying. Conclusions: This study provided no evidence in support of the relationships proposed by PST. Results suggest that further refinement and testing of this relatively new theory is in order. Additionally, more research into the underlying factors that contribute to the development of bullying behaviors is needed in order to identify potential strategies for the prevention of this behavior and its consequences

Recent experiences and lessons learned in vasectomy programming in low-resource settings: A document review

Vasectomy is a safe and highly effective family planning method for men and couples who do not want any more children, but in low resource settings, few men seek out or have access to this method. Increasing the voluntary use of vasectomy is a cost-effective strategy for countries to reduce unmet need for family planning, decrease unintended pregnancies, and meet national family planning goals. By engaging men directly in family planning, vasectomy also holds promise for promoting positive gender norms and healthy relationships. | This report is part of a set of resources from FHI 360/Evidence Project providing policymakers, advocates, program managers, and service providers with evidence-based recommendations for improving vasectomy programming

Replication data for " Addressing broader reproductive health needs of female sex workers through integrated family planning/ HIV prevention services: A non-randomized trial of a health-services intervention designed to improve uptake of family planning services in Kenya."

Complete pretest-posttest data set from FSW who enrolled in the study

Addressing broader reproductive health needs of female sex workers through integrated family planning/ HIV prevention services: A non-randomized trial of a health-services intervention designed to improve uptake of family planning services in Kenya.

BackgroundDespite considerable efforts to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) among female sex workers (FSW), other sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs, such preventing unintended pregnancies, among FSW have received far less attention. Programs targeting FSW with comprehensive, accessible services are needed to address their broader SRH needs. This study tested the effectiveness of an intervention to increase dual contraceptive method use to prevent STIs, HIV and unintended pregnancy among FSW attending services in drop-in centers (DIC) in two cities in Kenya. The intervention included enhanced peer education, and routine screening for family planning (FP) needs plus expanded non-condom FP method availability in the DIC.MethodsWe conducted a two-group, pre-/posttest, quasi-experimental study with 719 FSW (360 intervention group, 359 comparison group). Participants were interviewed at baseline and 6 months later to examine changes in condom and non-condom FP method use.ResultsThe intervention had a significant positive effect on non-condom, FP method use (OR = 1.38, 95%CI (1.04, 1.83)), but no effect on dual method use. Consistent condom use was reported to be high; however, many women also reported negotiating condom use with both paying and non-paying partners as difficult or very difficult. The strongest predictor of consistent condom use was partner type (paying versus non-paying/emotional); FSW reported both paying and non-paying partners also influence non-condom contraceptive use. Substantial numbers of FSW also reported experiencing sexual violence by both paying and non-paying partners.ConclusionsSelf-reported difficulties with consistent condom use and the sometimes dangerous conditions under which they work leave FSW vulnerable to unintended pregnancy STIs/HIV. Adding non-barrier FP methods to condoms is crucial to curb unintended pregnancies and their potential adverse health, social and economic consequences. Findings also highlight the need for additional strategies beyond condoms to reduce HIV and STI risk among FSW.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT01957813

Interventions to improve antiretroviral therapy adherence among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review of the literature

<div><p>Introduction</p><p>Globally, an estimated 30% of new HIV infections occur among adolescents (15–24 years), most of whom reside in sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, HIV-related mortality increased by 50% between 2005 and 2012 for adolescents 10–19 years while it decreased by 30% for all other age groups. Efforts to achieve and maintain optimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy are essential to ensuring viral suppression, good long-term health outcomes, and survival for young people. Evidence-based strategies to improve adherence among adolescents living with HIV are therefore a critical part of the response to the epidemic.</p><p>Methods</p><p>We conducted a systematic review of the peer-reviewed and grey literature published between 2010 and 2015 to identify interventions designed to improve antiretroviral adherence among adults and adolescents in low- and middle-income countries. We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Popline, the AIDSFree Resource Library, and the USAID Development Experience Clearinghouse to identify relevant publications and used the NIH NHLBI Quality Assessment Tools to assess the quality and risk of bias of each study.</p><p>Results and discussion</p><p>We identified 52 peer-reviewed journal articles describing 51 distinct interventions out of a total of 13,429 potentially relevant publications. Forty-three interventions were conducted among adults, six included adults and adolescents, and two were conducted among adolescents only. All studies were conducted in low- and middle-income countries, most of these (n = 32) in sub-Saharan Africa. Individual or group adherence counseling (n = 12), mobile health (mHealth) interventions (n = 13), and community- and home-based care (n = 12) were the most common types of interventions reported. Methodological challenges plagued many studies, limiting the strength of the available evidence. However, task shifting, community-based adherence support, mHealth platforms, and group adherence counseling emerged as strategies used in adult populations that show promise for adaptation and testing among adolescents.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Despite the sizeable body of evidence for adults, few studies were high quality and no single intervention strategy stood out as definitively warranting adaptation for adolescents. Among adolescents, current evidence is both sparse and lacking in its quality. These findings highlight a pressing need to develop and test targeted intervention strategies to improve adherence among this high-priority population.</p></div

Improving retention in HIV care among adolescents and adults in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review of the literature

<div><p>Introduction</p><p>Adolescents living with HIV are an underserved population, with poor retention in HIV health care services and high mortality, who are in need of targeted effective interventions. We conducted a literature review to identify strategies that could be adapted to meet the needs of adolescents living with HIV.</p><p>Methods</p><p>We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Popline, USAID’s AIDSFree Resource Library, and the USAID Development Experience Clearinghouse for relevant studies published within a recent five-year period. Studies were included if they described interventions to improve the retention in care of HIV-positive patients who are initiating or already receiving antiretroviral therapy in low- and middle-income countries. To assess the quality of the studies, we used the NIH NHLBI Study Quality Assessment Tools.</p><p>Results and discussion</p><p>Of 13,429 potentially relevant citations, 23 were eligible for inclusion. Most studies took place in sub-Saharan Africa. Only one study evaluated a retention intervention for youth (15–24 years); it found no difference in loss to follow-up between a youth-friendly clinic and a family-oriented clinic. A study of community-based service delivery which was effective for adults found no effect for youths. We found no relevant studies conducted exclusively with adolescent participants (10–19 years). Most studies were conducted with adults only or with populations that included adults and adolescents but did not report separate results for adolescents. Interventions that involved community-based services showed the most robust evidence for improving retention in care. Several studies found statistically significant associations between decentralization, down-referral of stable patients, task-shifting of services, and differentiated care, and retention in care among adults; however, most evidence comes from retrospective, observational studies and none of these approaches were evaluated among adolescents or youth.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Interventions that target retention in care among adolescents living with HIV are rare in the published literature. We found only two studies conducted with youth and no studies with adolescents. Given the urgent need to increase the retention of adolescents in HIV care, interventions that are effective in increasing adult retention in care should be considered for adaptation and evaluation among adolescents and interventions specifically targeting the needs of adolescents must be developed and tested.</p></div

Selection process for inclusion of studies.

<p>Selection process for inclusion of studies.</p

Bhana et al., 2013.

<p>Bhana et al., 2013.</p

Characteristics of included studies.

<p>Characteristics of included studies.</p