Seventy-eight low-income pregnant women in Roanoke, Virginia were sampled by means of a questionnaire in an effort to study what factors influence their family planning practices. The questionnaire measured the sample's contraceptive awareness, knowledge, and use, and their attitudes concerning contraception and its use. Other attitudes studied were related to pregnancy and parenthood. The questionnaire used was developed by the researcher, and was, in part, based on materials from the research of Dr. John Kanter of John Hopkins University. A factor analysis was performed which delineated factors influencing the family planning practices of the sample studied. The results indicated that younger, single, black women in the sample tended to be less aware of and less likely to use contraception. They also expressed attitudes concerning single parenthood which tended to disregard generally held social norms. A tendency also existed for white, married women, who were school drop-outs to give the reason that they "didn't mind if they became pregnant" for their lack of contraceptive use. This appeared to indicate a lack of motivation for contraceptive usage. It was concluded that other investigations should be made to substantiate the results and provide additional information relevant to the development of services aimed at family planning among low income families. / Master of Science

High-risk alcohol consumption in combination with unprotected sexual activity can have deleterious results for the individual, their family and their larger community. In this investigation, a secondary analysis was performed on the female data of Wave 3 of the Healthy Youth Survey to determine rates of female drinking and unprotected sex and to create a predictive model of high-risk drinking behaviour. Three dependent variables were examined: heavy drinking, weekly binge drinking and having a CAGE score of 2 or more, and Jessor and Jessor's (1977) Problem Behaviour Theory is drawn on in the interpretation of results. Age, the influence of negative peers, physical victimization, and the presence of an addiction-prone personality were found to be predictive of engaging in heavy drinking and weekly binge drinking; the influence of negative peers was found to be predictive in having a CAGE score of 2 or more. A difference in contraceptive use was only found for the young women engaging in weekly binge drinking. The results of this study highlight the importance of how different drinking styles can impact the likelihood of engaging in high-risk sex.

This study assessed the intentions with regard to fertility and use of contraception by women living with HIV/AIDS. The study was a quantitative cross-sectional study on a sample of 362 HIV-positive women in the ART follow-up unit in Adama Hospital Medical College. Large numbers of HIV-positive women with no income, housewives, illiterates and women in the age group of 28-32 years declared their intention to fall pregnant. The most prevalent family planning method among the HIV-positive women before their HIV diagnosis was injectables. After wards the most popular method of contraception was the condom. The results suggest that the counselling about condom use that is offered to HIV positive women yields results, as more women adopt this method of contraception. This is important in view of prevention of HIV infections and re-infections. / Health Studies / M. A. (Public Health)

This study assessed the intentions with regard to fertility and use of contraception by women living with HIV/AIDS. The study was a quantitative cross-sectional study on a sample of 362 HIV-positive women in the ART follow-up unit in Adama Hospital Medical College. Large numbers of HIV-positive women with no income, housewives, illiterates and women in the age group of 28-32 years declared their intention to fall pregnant. The most prevalent family planning method among the HIV-positive women before their HIV diagnosis was injectables. After wards the most popular method of contraception was the condom. The results suggest that the counselling about condom use that is offered to HIV positive women yields results, as more women adopt this method of contraception. This is important in view of prevention of HIV infections and re-infections. / Health Studies / M. A. (Public Health)

Despite the ongoing investments in programs to increase sexual health awareness among young adults globally, many youths remain vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Two-thirds of all STDs occur among youths engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors, which put young adults at higher risk of STDs and can result in serious consequences including infertility. Additionally, the social consequences of STD affect families and communities. While a need exists for increased public awareness of STDs among young adults, extant intervention and prevention activities should be informed by a cultural perspective, including the integration of community and government roles. The purpose of this social ecological study was to investigate the perceptions of STDs and the potential factors responsible for the increased frequency of STDs based on the lived experiences of 20 young adults with STDs in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Through a qualitative approach using a phenomenological research design, this study employed semi-structured interviews, and the resultant data were analyzed and coded. The findings indicated that college-aged students increasingly engaged in sexually risky behavior with multiple sexual partners for financial gain and power. Additionally, while institutions promoted abstinence as an effective strategy to reduce STD infections, the findings indicated a strong relationship between the phenomenon and individual interconnectedness with the larger society. Because the sexual behavior of young adults in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, is influenced at multiple ecological levels, effective and sustaining culturally appropriate STD interventions must involve the larger society including young adults in all stages of intervention development and implementation.