Risk Factors for Transactional Sex among Young Females in Post-Conflict Liberia

This study aimed to examine the risk factors for engaging in transactional sex among young females in Montserrado County, Liberia. Data from an HIV behavioral survey conducted among young people aged 14 – 25 years were used. The analytical sample included 493 sexually-experienced females. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. We found that 72% of our sample had ever engaged in transactional sex. Engagement in transactional sex was associated with education (OR: 0.5); reporting no earned income (OR: 1.9); longer duration of sexual activity (OR: 3.5); early sexual debut (OR: 2.5); history of sexual violence (OR: 2.1) and multiple sexual partnerships (OR: 4.0). Respondents' age, residence, and drug/alcohol use were not associated with engagement in transactional sex. HIV interventions should incorporate educational strategies to reduce the prevalence of transactional sex among young people. These strategies should include economic opportunities to offset financial need as well as efforts to eradicate sexual violence. (Afr J Reprod Health 2014; 18[3]: 133-141)Keywords: Transactional sex, Young women, HIV risk behaviors, Post-conflict, Liberia

Factors Associated with Unmet Need for Modern Contraception in Post-Conflict Liberia

We examined the association between intimate partner violence and  unmet need for modern contraception in post-conflict Liberia. This is a secondary analysis of data collected using the Priorities for Local AIDS Control Efforts (PLACE) method. Data from 499 sexually experienced young women (aged 14-25) in Montserrado County, Liberia were examined.  Intimate partner violence (55.7%), unintended pregnancy (83.2%), and abortion (45.3%) were pervasive in the study population. An estimated 35.9% of respondents had an unmet need for modern contraception.  However, multivariate logistic regression results did not reveal an  association between intimate partner violence and unmet need (OR 1.11; 95% CI 0.70-1.75). Among covariates examined, only contraceptive use at sexual debut (26.1%) was significantly associated with unmet need (OR 0.27; 95% CI 0.14-0.52). Liberian youth need information about and access to modern contraceptive methods besides condoms. Interventions to identify and treat victims of violence are also needed. Afr J Reprod Health 2014; 18[2]: 58-67).Key words: Intimate partner violence, unintended pregnancy, abortion, unmet need for contraception, adolescents, Liberi

Unmet Need for Contraception among Clients of FP/HIV Integrated Services in Nigeria: The Role of Partner Opposition

While women are aware of family planning (FP) methods in Nigeria, the unmet need for modern contraception remains high. We assessed the association between male partner opposition to FP and unmet need for modern contraception among women seeking anti-retroviral therapy (ART), HIV counseling and testing (HCT) and prevention-of-mother-to-child-transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services in Cross-River State, Nigeria. This secondary analysis used data from a facility-based FP/HIV integration study. Logistic regression was used to model the association of interest. Unmet need for modern contraception was high among all clients . ART (49%), HCT (75%), and PMTCT (32%). Perceived partner opposition to FP was widespread (.70%); however, multivariate analysis showed no significant association with unmet need for modern contraception. Significant covariates were womanfs age, marital status, parity, and previous use of modern contraception. Efforts to improve modern contraceptive use among women at risk of HIV infection in Nigeria should contemplate involving their male partners. Afr J Reprod Health 2014; 18[2]: 134-143).Keywords: Partner opposition, contraceptive use, HIV/FP service integration, NigeriaMalgre la bonne connaissance des methodes de la planification familiale (PF) au Nigeria, le besoin non satisfait de la contraception moderne reste eleve. Nous avons evalue l'association entre lfopposition du partenaire masculin a la PF et le besoin non satisfait de la contraception moderne chez les femmes qui recherchent un traitement anti- retroviral ( TAR), le conseil et le depistage du VIH CDV) et des services de la prevention de la transmission du VIH de la mere a lfenfant (PTME) dans lfetat de Cross River, Nigeria. Cette analyse secondaire a utilise des donnees provenant d'une etude d'integration PF / VIH basee sur un etablissement. La regression logistique a ete utilisee pour modeliser l'association d'interet. Le besoin non satisfait de la contraception moderne etait eleve parmi tous les clients - TAR (49 %), CDV (75 %) et la PTME (32 %). La perception de l'opposition du partenaire a la PF etait generalisee (. 70 %) ; cependant, l'analyse multivariee nfa montre aucune association significative avec le besoin non satisfait de la contraception moderne. Les covariables significatives etaient l'age de la femme, l'etat civil, la parite et l'utilisation anterieure de la contraception moderne. Les initiatives destinees a ameliorer l'utilisation de la contraception moderne chez les femmes a risque d'infection du VIH au Nigeria devraient envisager a mobiliser leurs partenaires masculins. Afr J Reprod Health 2014; 18[2]: 134-143).Mots-cles: Lfopposition de la part du partenaire, utilisation des  contraceptifs, integration des services du VIH / FP, Nigeria

Bridging Prevention and Health: Exploring Community Perceptions of Intimate Partner Violence in Rural Honduras

This qualitative study rooted in community-based participatory research principles utilized semi-structured interviews with 2 focus groups (n=9) with female healthcare volunteers (FCVs) and 3 male key informants who were community leaders (MCLs). The study aimed to examine how a rural Honduran community defines and responds to intimate partner violence (IPV) in order to lay the foundation for future interventions. Based on grounded theory, the authors assessed for common themes across transcripts. Authors found that a number of participants denied the existence of IPV. Perspectives on the causes and definitions of IPV varied between FCVs and MCLs. All participants affirmed the need for intervention and many participants mentioned healthcare and legal systems as potential venues to ameliorate IPV. The results highlight potentially important differences between FCV and MCL perspectives that may inform future interventions. Findings suggest health-care workers can play a role in IPV prevention and intervention in rural Honduras