This research study seeks to explore perceptions of family planning clients towards the female condom, as well as examine factors that facilitate or inhibit the use of the device by women of different age groups. The study targets women aged 18-35 who attend the Commercial City Clinic located in Durban, South Africa. This study targets this group since they fall in the category of those most besieged by HIV, hence the need for protection against infection. While most research on condom use has focused the technicalities of barriers prevention methods, relatively less is known about attitudes, motivation and strategies employed by users or would-be users. Although Femidom has been widely accepted as an effective method in STI and pregnancy prevention, nevertheless its usefulness is hampered by a number of factors. Factors range from partner’s objection; men’s negative attitude to use of the device; refusal to use any condom during sex; distrust of the method by male partner; Femidom insertion difficulties in women; reduced sexual sensation for some women when the device is in use; and preference of a discreet method by women not requiring permission by the male sexual counterpart to use the female condom While this study acknowledges that the female condom is an imperfect technology, nevertheless, ways need to be found on how to raise its acceptability. Such a measure is necessary since the female-controlled HIV prevention device has great potential if better marketed and distributed. However, that potential can only be realized if women’s vulnerabilities in the biological, cultural, economic and social domains are addressed. In so doing, this would enable women to gain greater control over their sexual health and also empower them in sexual relationships, thus bettering their lot than is the case at present. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

<p>The present study was conceived to examine the trend and factors affecting fertility in Nigeria and Guinea. Fertility has declined by about nineteen percent in Nigeria between 1982 and 1999. In the same period it has declined by five percent in Guinea. The decline is observed in data from censuses and surveys. Studies have reported that fertility transition is in progress in most Sub-Sahara African countries (Bongaarts 2008 / Guttmacher 2008), Nigeria (Feyisetan and Bankole 2002) and Guinea (measuredhs 2007). Studies and surveys done in some regions and among ethnic groups suggest that fertility is declining in Nigeria (Caldwell et al. 1992) and Guinea (measuredhs 2007). However, these studies and surveys are devoid of national representativeness as they are localized in specific regions or selected ethnic groups. Thus, they cannot be used as a national reference. The trend of the total fertility rate (TFR) from the three consecutive Demographic and Health Surveys in Nigeria did not show any meaningful decrease over time. In the same vein, no evidence of fertility decline was observed in Guinea from the Demographic and Health Surveys. The claim that fertility is declining in these two countries which assures the funding organizations that Family Planning programs are successful is beyond the scope of the present study. Based on Demographic and Health Surveys the claim that fertility is decreasing in Nigeria may be misleading, whereas in Guinea fertility has shown stability. This suggests that while the factors affecting fertility may be similar, their impacts differ from country to country.</p>

Family planning initiatives have been critical to development strategies since the 1950s. Family planning has been justified on various grounds including its contribution to poverty alleviation, improved maternal and infant health and the advancement of women's rights and choices. More recently, the discourse of 'women's empowerment' has been used in the advocacy of family planning. This discourse integrates a number of earlier justifications for fertility control promoting family planning as a strategy to enhance women's access to higher standards of living and improved health. It associates family planning with advances in women's rights as individual citizens in 'modern' economies and their greater involvement in paid work. This thesis investigates whether this empowerment discourse is evident in family planning programmes in Fiji and its relationship to the socio-economic development of that country. Critical analyses of the operation of power, development strategies and western assumptions about family size, human rights and economic wellbeing inform this research. In particular, Foucault's concept of 'biopower' is used to analyse narratives about family planning articulated by health practitioners, women's rights activists and officials in the Ministry of Health. The analysis of key informants' statements is complemented by consideration of official statistics, and existing empirical data such as documents and pamphlets. The thesis argues that an empowerment discourse is strongly evident in Fiji with respect to the statements made by key informants and available written sources. It looks critically at the narratives that construct family planning as empowering for women, particularly the tropes of choice, health and full citizenship. Close analysis of these narratives demonstrate that the 'stories' uniformly position women as potentially empowered 'modern' subjects. However, critical analysis of these stories about choice, health and citizenship found that family planning strategies were sometimes disempowering. The generic stories embodied by the empowerment discourse did not allow for the diversity of women's needs; this finding supported critiques of one-size-fits-all development strategies. I demonstrate that while the empowerment discourse provided women with the opportunity to control their fertility, engage in paid work and be empowered, it simultaneously created new challenges and different forms of subordination. This thesis found that the empowerment discourse was an unmistakable example of biopower at work

This thesis studies different aspects of reproductive behaviour on the international, national, and local levels in post-communist countries. The main focus is Ukraine, where fertility rates are very low and the population is in severe decline. The studies contribute new knowledge about the applicability of a family policy typology developed on the basis of Western countries’ experience for post-communist countries, and about the influence of family policies on fertility levels in these countries. Moreover, the studies investigate whether and how macro-level influences impact on individuals’ reproductive behaviour. Four articles are included in the thesis: Family policies in Ukraine and Russia in comparative perspective analyses the institutional set-up of family policies in both countries and compares the findings to 31 other countries. The results show that Ukrainian family policies support a male-breadwinner type of family, while the benefit levels of Russian family policies are low, compelling families to rely on relatives or the childcare market. Family policies and fertility - Examining the link between family policy institutions and fertility rates in 33 countries 1995-2010 comparatively explores whether family policies have an effect on fertility rates across the case-countries. Pooled time-series regression analysis demonstrates that gender-egalitarian family policies are connected to higher fertility rates, but that this effect is smaller at higher rates of female labour force participation. To have or not to have a child? Perceived constraints on childbearing in a lowest-low fertility context investigates the influence of the perception of postmodern values, childcare availability and environmental pollution on individuals’ fertility intentions in a city in Eastern Ukraine. It is shown that women who already have a child perceive environmental pollution as a constraint on their fertility intentions. Prevalence and correlates of the use of contraceptive methods by women in Ukraine in 1999 and 2007 examines changes in the prevalence and the correlates of the use of contraceptive methods. The use of modern contraceptive methods increased during the period and the use of traditional methods decreased, while the overall prevalence did not change. Higher exposure to messages about family planning in the media is correlated with the use of modern contraceptive methods.

Background: The present study was conceived to examine the trend and factors affecting fertility in Nigeria and Guinea. Fertility has declined by about nineteen percent in Nigeria between 1982 and 1999. In the same period it has declined by five percent in Guinea. The decline is observed in data from censuses and surveys. Studies have reported that fertility transition is in progress in most Sub-Sahara African countries (Bongaarts 2008; Guttmacher 2008), Nigeria (Feyisetan and Bankole 2002) and Guinea (measuredhs 2007). Studies and surveys done in some regions and among ethnic groups suggest that fertility is declining in Nigeria (Caldwell et al. 1992) and Guinea (measuredhs 2007). However, these studies and surveys are devoid of national representativeness as they are localized in specific regions or selected ethnic groups. Thus, they cannot be used as a national reference. The trend of the total fertility rate (TFR) from the three consecutive Demographic and Health Surveys in Nigeria did not show any meaningful decrease over time. In the same vein, no evidence of fertility decline was observed in Guinea from the Demographic and Health Surveys. The claim that fertility is declining in these two countries which assures the funding organizations that Family Planning programs are successful is beyond the scope of the present study. Based on Demographic and Health Surveys the claim that fertility is decreasing in Nigeria may be misleading, whereas in Guinea fertility has shown stability. This suggests that while the factors affecting fertility may be similar, their impacts differ from country to country.Method: Data from the Demographic Health Surveys (DHS) conducted in Nigeria and in Guinea were used in the study. Trends in TFR by background were extracted from the censuses and DHS final reports in Nigeria and Guinea. Data from DHS 1999 and DHS 2003 in Nigeria and DHS 1999 and DHS 2005 in Guinea were used for the actual analysis. The sample sizes of 8199 and 7620 of DHS 1999 and 2003 respectively for all women aged 15 - 49 were included in Nigeria. The sample sizes for Guinea were 6753 and 7954 for DHS 1999 and 2005 respectively. The trends in knowledge and current contraceptive use, unmet needs,desires for last child, current pregnancy, visiting of health facility, visitation by family planning workers and respondent approval of Family Planning (FP) were examined by age groups. Univariate and bivariate analyses were executed to explain the association and determinants of contraceptive use by socio-demographic characteristics. Stepwise multinomial regression was carried out to determine the variables affecting total number of children ever born (TCB).Result: Total fertility rate has increased in Nigeria between 1990 and 2003 by background characteristics. It has increased by eleven and fourteen percent in rural and urban residence respectively in Nigeria within the same interval. Fertility increased by thirteen and seventeen percent among women with primary and higher education respectively in Nigeria. Unmet needs for child spacing decreased by three percent. Over seventy percent of women have never discussed FP with their partners and other people. Over sixty percent of Women neither visited a health facility (HF) nor were visited by a health worker in 2003. Forty-eight percent of the women approved of FP in 2003, which represents an increase of five percent of 1999.Over ninety percent wanted their last child and current pregnancy in 2003. However, there are incidences of mistimed and unwanted births and pregnancies. There was an association between contraceptive use and all the socio-demographic variables examined. The age of the respondent, current use of contraceptive, age at first sexual intercourse and partner’s education have positive effects on fertility. However, education of women, place of residence and age at marriage has a negative effect on fertility.Total fertility rate has remained stable in Guinea. It increased by eight percent in rural areass and decreased by fifteen percent in urban areass between 1992 and 2005. In Guinea, fertility decreased by over twenty percent for women with primary and secondary education between 1992 and 2005. Unmet needs for child spacing and limiting declined by three and one percent. Over eighty percent of women have not discussed FP with their partners and other people. Women that did not visit a HF remained stable at sixty-six percent, while ninety-two percent were not visited in their homes by a FP worker. The women who approved of FP were forty-seven percent, showing a decline by eleven percent from 1999. Over eighty percent of the women wanted their last child and current pregnancies in 2005. There was an association between contraceptive use and all the socio-demographic variables examined.The significance of the regression coefficient shows that the age of the respondent and current use of contraception has a positive effect on TCB. Education, place of residence, age at marriage and religion have negative effects on TCB.Conclusion: The general patterns observed do not give confidence that fertility is declining or showing a tendency towards declining in Nigeria. In addition the use of modern contraceptive has no bright future as a vehicle to regulate fertility in Nigeria. Fertility in Guinea shows some potential for reduction which may be transitory because some of the indicators that favour fertility reduction seem to be losing their grip. There are overall negative attitudes to contraceptive use and FP in Guinea. This is similar to the observed situation in Nigeria. Expectation that intensified campaigns on contraceptive use and FP will reduce fertility and ultimately reduce population growth in Nigeria and Guinea is not likely to be met, because the desire for large families abound. / Magister Scientiae - MSc

Mycket pekar på att det finns en brist hos många svenska unga kvinnor vad gäller kunskap om fertilitet och reproduktion. Det finns ett behov av att formulera ett evidensbaserat redskap för barnmorskor att använda sig av i samtal om en Reproduktiv Livsplan och för att ge hälsoförebyggande information inför en eventuell graviditet. Syfte: Studiens syfte var att genomföra en pilotstudie beträffande implementering av en Reproduktiv Livsplan i svensk vårdkontext. Ett andra syfte var att testa ett instrument och proceduren inför kommande forskningsprojekt samt att utvärdera dess effekt. Metod: Föreliggande studie hade en kvantitativ ansats och hade designats som en randomiserad kontrollerad interventionsstudie. Totalt deltog 75 unga kvinnor i tre grupper; interventionsgruppen (IG), kontrollgrupp 1 (CG1) och kontrollgrupp 2 (CG2). Data samlades in via enkäter vid baslinje och telefonintervju vid uppföljning. Av de 75 kvinnorna var det 70 som fullföljde studien. Resultat: Få kvinnor uppgav att de tidigare hade funderat speciellt mycket på frågor kring fertilitet. Kunskapen om reproduktion och fertilitet var jämn mellan grupperna vid baslinjemätningen. Vid uppföljningen visade resultaten en kunskapsökning bland den tredjedel av kvinnorna som tagit del av interventionen. Det mest utmärkande fyndet var att flertalet av kvinnorna i interventionsgruppen var ganska eller mycket positiva till att barnmorskan frågade dem om deras Reproduktiva Livsplan. Alla kvinnorna svarade att det var ganska eller mycket sannolikt att de skulle vända sig till sin barnmorska om de hade fler frågor angående fertilitet. Flertalet ansåg att vårdpersonal borde ha som rutin att diskutera frågor om en Reproduktiv Livsplan. Slutsats: Det finns ett behov av att formulera ett evidensbaserat redskap för barnmorskor att använda sig av i samtal med unga kvinnor vad gäller deras Reproduktiva Livsplan och för att informera om hälsoförebyggande faktorer inför en graviditet. Genomförbarheten för denna studie var god och materialet väl lämpat för syftet, därmed kan det även rekommenderas för kommande forskning. Ytterligare visade det sig även att kvinnorna som deltog i interventionen ställde sig positiva till samtalet med barnmorskan om en reproduktiv livsplan. / Research indicates that there is a shortage among Swedish young women in terms of knowledge about fertility and reproduction. There is a need to formulate an evidence-based tool for midwives to use in conversation about a Reproductive Life Plan and to provide information about health prevention before a possible pregnancy. Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct a pilot study on the implementation of a Reproductive Life Plan in a Swedish caring context. A second aim was to test the instrument and procedure for future research projects and to evaluate its effect. Method: The present study had a quantitative approach and was designed as a randomized controlled intervention study. In total, 75 young women participated in three groups; intervention group (IG), control group 1 (CG1) and control group 2 (CG2). Data were collected via questionnaires at baseline and at follow-up by telephone interview. Out of the 75 women, 70 completed the study. Results: Few women reported that they had previously thought much about issues surrounding fertility. The knowledge of reproduction and fertility was similar between the groups at baseline. At follow-up there was a knowledge increase among the third of the women who took part of the intervention. The most striking finding was that most of the women in the intervention group were somewhat or very positive about the midwife asking them about their Reproductive Life Plan. All the women replied that it was somewhat or very likely that they would turn to their midwife if they had more questions about fertility. The majority felt that healthcare professionals should routinely discuss issues of a Reproductive Life Plan. Conclusion: There is a need to formulate an evidence-based tool for midwives to use in conversations with young women in terms of their Reproductive Life Plan and to provide information on health prevention factors before pregnancy. The feasibility of this study was good, and the material well suited for the purpose, thus it can be recommended for future research. Furthermore the results also showed that the women that participated in the intervention where positive to the talk they had with the midwife concerning the reproductive life plan.

Darbe atlikta teorinė socialinio pedagogo veiklos galimybių nepilnamečių šeimos planavimo prevencinėje veiklos analizė, išskirti pagrindiniai veiksniai, pagrindžiantys socialinio pedagogo veiklos galimybių modeliavimo būtinybę nepilnamečių šeimos planavimo prevencinėje veikloje. Nepilnamečių focus grupės diskusijos metodu atliktas tyrimas, kurio tikslas - atskleisti socialinio pedagogo veiklos modeliavimo galimybes nepilnamečių šeimos planavimo prevencijos procese. Atlikta tyrimo duomenų analizė, taikant teksto turinio (content) analizės metodą. Tyrime dalyvavo 9 14-16 metų amžiaus nepilnamečiai, kurie mokosi „X“ bendrojo lavinimo mokyklos 8-10 klasėse. Tyrimo dalyvių imtį sudarė 6 mergaitės ir 3 berniukai. Empirinėje dalyje nagrinėjami 14-16 metų nepilnamečiams reikšmingų reiškinių sampratos bei reikšmė, atskleista šeimos planavimo samprata bei struktūrą, išskirtos pagrindinės socialinio pedagogo veiklos galimybės nepilnamečių šeimos planavimo prevencinės veiklos procese, akcentuoti socialinio pedagogo inicijuojamos prevencinės veiklos trūkumai bei problemos, reikalaujančios sprendimų bei tobulinimo. Remiantis atlikta mokslinės literatūros analize bei nepilnamečių focus grupės diskusijos metu gautais duomenimis, parengtas bei pagrįstas socialinio pedagogo veiklos galimybių modelis nepilnamečių šeimos planavimo prevencijos procese. Svarbiausios empirinio tyrimo išvados: 1. Respondentų nuostatos atskleidė bei pagrindė šią šeimos planavimo prevencijos proceso... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The work carried out theoretical social pedagogue business opportunities minors in preventive family planning performance analysis, the main source of social support of teacher modeling of business opportunities need to minors in preventive family planning activities. Juvenile focus group discussion method of study, which aims - to reveal the social educator performance modeling for the prevention of juvenile family planning process. Performed data analysis using the content of the text (content) analysis. The study involved nine minors aged 14-16 who are learning the "X" of general education classes 8-10. The study participants consisted of 6 girls and 3 boys. The empirical part deals with the 14-16 minors significant events and significance of the concept, revealed the family planning concept and structure, the main teacher of social activity opportunities juvenile family planning preventive action process, to highlight the social educator initiated preventive shortcomings and problems that require solutions and improvements. Based on the analysis of scientific literature and minors in focus group discussions during the data obtained and prepared based on the social model of teacher performance potential of juvenile family planning prevention process. The main conclusions of the research: 1. Respondents highlighted the provisions of this family based prevention planning process consistency and structure of its basic elements , highlighted the school social teacher... [to full text]

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2003. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2005. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.A. (Population and Reproductive Health Research))--Mahidol University, 1999.