ON THE CONFLICT-POVERTY NEXUS

We develop a model to explore the inter-relationships between conflict and economic activity. We construct a simple two-period model where consumption and investment decisions are made in the presence of governments who consider initiating diversionary conflict to raise their chances of remaining in power. Economies with selfish leaders and lower gains from capital formation may fall prey to engaging in avoidable conflicts thereby lowering investment and hence future growth. Using panel data for over 152 countries from 1950 to 2000, we find evidence for conflict lowering economic growth and, after conditioning on the initial conditions of geography, private, public, and human capital investment, lower growth raising the likelihood of conflict. These results are broadly consistent with our model. Copyright 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Conhecimento, atitudes e práticas de mulheres brasileiras atendidas pela rede básica de saúde com relação às doenças de transmissão sexual Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Brazilian women treated in the primary health care system concerning sexually transmitted diseases

Nos últimos anos tem-se observado aumento na prevalência da infecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana entre mulheres brasileiras. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de determinar conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas de prevenção com relação às doenças de transmissão sexual (DST) no que se refere a mulheres atendidas na rede primária de saúde de Campinas, São Paulo, para implementar futuras ações. Entre 249 mulheres entrevistadas, 10% disseram usar a camisinha e 7,6% relataram uso consistente. Apesar de a maioria das mulheres (87,6%) referir a televisão como fonte de informação, a qualidade desta foi pobre para sensibilizá-las do risco das DST. A totalidade das mulheres expressou confiança no médico. Concluiu-se que as mulheres não optam pelo uso da camisinha para prevenção de DST/AIDS, utilizando-o, em geral, com a intenção de contracepção. É preciso implementar a adoção do diálogo informativo a respeito das DST/AIDS durante a consulta e inovar a forma e a qualidade das informações, de modo a viabilizar maior aderência da população às práticas do comportamento sexual seguro.<br>An increase has been observed in the prevalence of HIV infection among Brazilian women in recent years. This study focused on women's knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the primary health care system in Campinas, São Paulo. Of the 249 women interviewed, 10% reported condom use, while consistent use was reported by 7.6%. Although most women reported receiving information from television (87.6%), the quality of such information was insufficient to sensitize women as to their risk of exposure to STD. Most of the women reported physician confidence as an important factor. We conclude that women do not opt for condoms to prevent STD/AIDS, but as a contraceptive method. An instructive dialogue on STD/AIDS should be adopted during physician consultation, and the kind and quality of information should be updated to foster compliance with safer sex practices by the population