State and Agriculture in Africa: A Case of Means and Ends

SUMMARY This article examines the argument that the problems of implementing the development programmes of African governments arise from the political necessity to maintain power. In response to this, it is argued that the success and failure of policies, the distortive effects of sectional interests and the necessity to use particular methods to maintain power are determined by a wider context, that of the state as a whole, and its social role in creating and sustaining the institutions — political and economic — which regulate relations between the citizens of African states. SOMMAIRE Cet article examine l'argument selon lequel les problèmes de mìse en oeuvre et de développement des programmes des gouvernements africains, proviennent de la nécessité politique de maintenir le pouvoir. En réponse à cela, il est argumenté que le succès et l'échec des politiques, les effets de distorsíon des intérêts sectoriels et la nécessité d'utiliser des méthodes particulières pour maintenir le pouvoir, sont déterminés par un contexte plus large celui de l'état, et son rôle social de créer et de soutenir les institutions — politiques et économiques — qui régissent les relations entre les citoyens des états africains. RESUMEN Este articulo examina el argumento de que los problema de los gobiernos africanos para implementar programas de desarrollo, surge de la necesidad política de mantener el poder. En respuesta a esto, se arguye que los exitos y fracasos de la políticas, los efectos distorsionadores de intereses contrapuestos y la necesidad de usar métodos especiales para mantener el poder, están determinados por un contexto mas amplio que consiste en el estado como un todo y en su rol social en la creación y mantención de las instituciones — políticas y económicas — que regulan las relaciones entre los ciudadanos de los estados africanos

Sexual risk behavior and pregnancy in detained adolescent females: a study in Dutch detention centers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of this study was to investigate the lifetime prevalence of teenage pregnancy in the histories of detained adolescent females and to examine the relationship between teenage pregnancy on the one hand and mental health and sexuality related characteristics on the other.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Of 256 admitted detained adolescent females aged 12–18 years, a representative sample (N = 212, 83%) was examined in the first month of detention. Instruments included a semi-structured interview, standardized questionnaires and file information on pregnancy, sexuality related characteristics (sexual risk behavior, multiple sex partners, sexual trauma, lack of assertiveness in sexual issues and early maturity) and mental health characteristics (conduct disorder, alcohol and drug use disorder and suicidality).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Approximately 20% of the participants reported having been pregnant (before detention), although none had actually given birth. Sexuality related characteristics were more prevalent in the pregnancy group, while this was not so for the mental health characteristics. Age at assessment, early maturity, sexual risk behavior, and suicidality turned out to be the best predictors for pregnancy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The lifetime prevalence of pregnancy in detained adolescent females is high and is associated with both sexuality related risk factors and mental health related risk factors. Therefore, prevention and intervention programs targeting sexual risk behavior and mental health are warranted during detention.</p