This study explored knowledge, perceptions and attitudes regarding contraception and contraceptive practices among secondary school learners in the Limpopo Province. Self-administered questionnaires were completed by 612 Grade 8 and 332 Grade 12 learners from 24 randomly selected secondary schools. The study found that permissive attitudes prevailed towards sex, characterised by casual sexual activities commencing at 12 years of age. The availability of contraceptive and termination of pregnancy (TOP) services did not enable learners to utilise them, because of social, cultural, financial and service barriers. Most learners were sexually active without being knowledgeable about contraceptives, emergency contraceptives and TOP services. Two workshops conducted with learners produced similar results to those obtained from the completed questionnaires. Semi-structured interviews conducted with nurses, providing contraceptive and TOP services in the Limpopo Province, also substantiated the findings from the questionnaires. Secondary school learners in the Limpopo Province require more knowledge about and ready access to contraceptives to enable them to delay child bearing until they are emotionally, financially and physically ready for these responsibilities. Nurses and teachers in this province can enhance the learners' contraceptive knowledge and utilisation to help learners make better informed decisions about their own and their future children's lives. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

This study aimed at identifying the socio-demographic and service related factors influencing intra uterine contraceptive device (IUD) utilization among family planning clients in Addis Ababa. With a quantitative, cross sectional descriptive design approach, data was collected using structured questionnaires administered by healthcare supervisors. A total of 366 family planning clients and 35 family planning service providers were interviewed. The findings indicated that the level of education, occupation, parity and fertility plan have significant (p<0.05) association with utilization of IUD. Healthcare service provider’s knowledge and skills for provision of intra uterine contraceptive device services were low. Community members lack awareness and knowledge of the benefit and side effects of the device. Therefore, community members need education to promote adherence and effective use of IUD. Similarly, healthcare service providers need skill training and education to ensure quality provision of IUD service / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

<p>The overall aim of this thesis was to inestigate Swedish adolescents' perceptions and behaviours regarding sexual risk taking. Specific objectives were to explore teenagers' perceptions of contraceptive use, unintended pregnancy, and abortion; teenage girls' experiences of decision making process and support connected to abortion; and male adolescents' perceptions of sexual risk taking and barriers to practicing safe sex. Another objective was to evaluate the effect of advance provision of emergency contraceptive pills to teenage girls. The methodologies included focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and a randomized controlled trial. </p><p>Among the adolescents in our studies, teenage parenthood was generally viewed as a "catastrophe", and the majority expressed supportive attitudes towards abortion (studies I-IV). Occasions of failure to use contraceptives were common, especially when sex was unplanned (studies I-V). Pregnancy prevention was perceived as the woman's responsibility. However, many girls were reluctant about using homonal contraceptives due to worries about negative side effects (I, III). Initiating condom use was difficult for girls, as well as for boys, for a number of reasons (I-IV): fear of ruining an intimate situation, associations with disease, distrust, pleasure reduction, and (for the boys) the fear of loosing one's erection. Males generally perceived personal and partner-related risks connected to unprotected intercourse as low. Few males were worried that an unintended pregnancy would be carried to term, and the majority would urge the girl towards abortion if she seemed ambivalent (II, IV). Girls viewed the abortion decision as a natural, yet difficult choice, strongly influenced by attitudes of partners, parents, peers and societal norms (III). Teenage girls provided with emergency contraceptive pills in advance used it more frequently and sooner after unprotected intercourse compared with controls, without jeopardising regular contraceptive use (V).</p>

Reproductive health and induced abortion in Latin America and the Caribbean Abstract The objective of this study is to give a comprehensive overview of the reproductive health of the population living in Latin America and the Caribbean, and to evaluate the level of induced abortion in the region at the same time. In the theoretical part of the study the term reproductive health is defined and indicators evaluating its level are described. As well the difference between safe and unsafe abortion is explained and the state of abortion law is expounded in this part. Next part is devoted to the promotion of family planning programs. In the analytical part Latin American and Caribbean countries are divided into four groups by using cluster analysis. Within each group one selected country is characterized in more detail. Indicators entering into the analysis show the level of reproductive health, the level of fertility and the economic performance of countries in the early 21st century. In the part related to the induced abortion rate in the region is discovered that despite the fact that in Latin America and the Caribbean there is one of the highest levels of contraceptive prevalence, there is also the highest level of induced abortion in the world. In the last part of the study the relationship between level of...

This study aimed at identifying the socio-demographic and service related factors influencing intra uterine contraceptive device (IUD) utilization among family planning clients in Addis Ababa. With a quantitative, cross sectional descriptive design approach, data was collected using structured questionnaires administered by healthcare supervisors. A total of 366 family planning clients and 35 family planning service providers were interviewed. The findings indicated that the level of education, occupation, parity and fertility plan have significant (p<0.05) association with utilization of IUD. Healthcare service provider’s knowledge and skills for provision of intra uterine contraceptive device services were low. Community members lack awareness and knowledge of the benefit and side effects of the device. Therefore, community members need education to promote adherence and effective use of IUD. Similarly, healthcare service providers need skill training and education to ensure quality provision of IUD service / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Objetivo: Descrever a iniciação sexual e o uso de métodos anticoncepcionais e estimar fatores associados a estas condutas, em adolescentes de 13 a 17 anos de idade, de escolas da rede pública de ensino secundário da Ilha de Santiago, Cabo Verde. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado com amostra probabilística e representativa de 768 adolescentes com idade entre 13 e 17 anos, de escolas secundárias públicas da Ilha de Santiago em 2007. A associação foi testada pelo teste de proporção, qui-quadrado de Pearson ou Fisher e regressão logística. Para estimar os fatores associados ao uso de métodos anticoncepcionais e preservativo, foi analisada a sub-amostra de 368 adolescentes sexualmente ativos. O início da vida sexual, o uso de métodos anticoncepcionais e o uso de preservativo foram analisados como desfechos. Foram consideradas variáveis independentes: características sociodemográficas, afetivo-sexuais e comportamentais. Foi utilizada regressão logística para análise simultânea dos fatores, considerando-se nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Entre os adolescentes do sexo masculino, os fatores associados ao início da vida sexual foram: idade maior que 14 anos, ser católico e consumir bebidas alcoólicas. Entre as adolescentes do sexo feminino, possuir mais de nove anos de estudo e parceria afetivosexual foram associados ao início da vida sexual. Entre os 368 adolescentes, 69,3% referiram ter usado métodos anticoncepcionais na sua última relação sexual, sendo mais freqüentes o preservativo (94,9%) e a pílula (26,4%). Fatores significativos e positivamente associados ao uso de métodos anticoncepcionais na última relação foram: morar em município da capital (OR=2,02; IC95%: 1,23;3,32), ter namorado anteriormente à época da entrevista (OR=2,82; IC95%: 1,51;5,26) e ter mais de oito anos de estudo (OR=2,03; IC95%: 1,23;3,33). A prevalência de uso de preservativo na última relação sexual foi de 94,9%. Fatores associados ao uso de preservativo na última relação foram: religião não católica (OR=0,68, IC 95%: 0,52;0,88) e parceria afetivo-sexual no período anterior à pesquisa (OR = 5,15, IC 95%: 1,79; 14,80). Conclusões: Ao contrário de outros contextos da África Subsaariana, foram constadas taxas elevadas de uso de preservativo por adolescentes no início da vida sexual. Os adolescentes podem iniciar a vida sexual de maneira mais segura se tiverem informação, educação sexual e acesso a métodos de prevenção à gravidez e IST. O elevado uso de preservativo e a associação entre escolaridade e utilização de métodos anticoncepcionais entre adolescentes na última relação sexual podem expressar resultados positivos das políticas de saúde sexual e reprodutiva atuais, contribuindo para diminuição da infecção por HIV. Todavia, a influência da religião e da parceria afetivo-sexual no uso de preservativo revela a necessidade de ações de prevenção voltadas para segmentos religiosos não católicos e que não possuem parceria afetivo-sexual. Este estudo oferece elementos para a reflexão sobre o delineamento de políticas de redução da vulnerabilidade dos jovens às IST/Aids e sobre os limites e desafios da promoção do uso do preservativo e educação sexual focando as relações desiguais de gênero. / Objective: To describe the onset of sexual life and the use of contraceptive methods and to estimate factors associated among adolescents aged 13-17 years from public high schools in Santiago Island, Cape Verde. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a probabilistic and representative sample of 768 adolescents aged 13-17 years from public high schools was carried out in Santiago Island, Cape Verde, in 2007. The association was verified by means of test of proportions, Pearsons chi-square, Fishers exact and logistic regression. The subsample of 368 sexually active adolescents was analyzed to estimate the factors associated with contraceptive methods and condom use. The first sexual intercourse and contraceptive methods and condom use were analyzed as outcomes. Sociodemographic, sexual-affective and behavioral characteristics were the independent variables. Logistic regression was used for simultaneous analysis of factors at a 5% significance level. Results: Among male adolescents, the factors associated with the first sexual intercourse were: age over 14 years, being catholic and alcohol consumption. For female adolescents, having more than nine years of schooling and sexual-affective partnership were associated with the first sexual intercourse. Among the 368 adolescents, 69.3% reported use of contraceptive methods in the last sexual intercourse; the most frequent methods were condom (94.9%) and pill (26.4%). Significant and positive factors associated with the use of contraceptive methods in the last sexual intercourse were: living in the capital (OR=2.02; 95%CI: 1.23;3.32), having dated previously the study (OR=2.82; 95%CI: 1.51;5.26) and having more than eight years of schooling (OR=2.03; 95%CI: 1.23;3.33). The prevalence of condom use in the last sexual intercourse was 94.9%. Factors associated with condom use in the last sexual intercourse were: being non-catholic (OR=0.68, 95%CI: 0.52;0.88) and having affective-sexual partnership previously the study (OR=5.15, 95%CI: 1.79;14.80). Conclusions: Contrary to other Sub-Saharan Africa contexts, high rates of condom use in adolescents first sexual intercourse were observed. Adolescents are able to begin sexual life more safely as long as they are provide with information, sexual education and access to contraceptive and STI prevention methods. The high condom use and the association between schooling and contraceptive methods utilization in the last sexual intercourse may express positive outcomes from the current sexual and reproductive health policies, accounting for the decrease in HIV infection. However, the influence of religion and sexual-affective partnership on condom use indicates the need for preventive measures targeted at noncatholic groups and those without affective-sexual partnership. This study contributes for the reflection upon the design of policies aimed at reducing the vulnerability of young people to STI/AIDS and the limits and challenges to promote condom use and sexual education focusing on gender inequalities.

O uso de álcool entre mulheres é uma questão atual e preocupante, face a maior vulnerabilidade destas aos danos hepáticos, cerebrais, entre outros, quando comparadas aos homens com padrões semelhantes de consumo. Sendo assim, investigaram-se as possíveis variações na farmacocinética do etanol em mulheres, considerando duas fases do ciclo menstrual (pré-folicular e lútea), bem como o uso de anticoncepcionais orais (AO). Participaram voluntários dos sexos feminino (n=22) e masculino (n=14), administrando-lhes 0,3 g/kg de etanol, na forma de uísque. Os resultados indicaram: a) os parâmetros farmacocinéticos do etanol não variam em função do ciclo menstrual (fase pré-folicular e lútea); b) as mulheres que tomavam AO levam menos tempo para atingir a concentração máxima e eliminam o etanol mais rapidamente do que as que não faziam uso; c) não houve diferença nos parâmetros farmacocinéticos entre o grupo de homens e o de mulheres que utilizavam AO, porém os homens apresentam maior velocidade de eliminação do que as mulheres que não faziam uso e d) os parâmetros farmacocinéticos relacionados com a biodisponibilidade (área sob a curva) e com o volume de distribuição não apresentaram diferenças entre os grupos analisados. / After drinking equivalent amounts of alcohol, women appear to be more vulnerable than men to many adverse consequences of alcohol use, including liver and brain damage. This study investigated the influence of menstrual cycle and female sex steroids levels on ethanol pharmacokinetics, as a possible mechanism for these effects. Twenty-two female and 14 male volunteers were given a moderate dose of ethanol (0.3 g/kg) in the morning after an overnight fast. The results indicated: a) no evidence that the tested menstrual cycle phases (pre-follicular and luteal) significantly influence ethanol pharmacokinetics; b) the time required to reach peak BAC was shorter and the ethanol elimination rate was increased for women taking oral contraceptives (OC) as compared to women not taking them; c) there is no difference on ethanol pharmacokinetics between men and women taking OC, but men showed increased ethanol elimination rate compared to women not taking OC; d) no gender-related differences relating to bioavailability of ethanol were found.

Ce travail de doctorat en démographie met l'accent sur l'entrée très précoce dans la maternité dans une perspective comparative entre deux pays proches sur le plan socioéconomique, mais qui se distinguent sur le plan de la fécondité, surtout pendant la période de l'adolescence – la France et l'Angleterre-Galles. Il explore les maternités adolescentes en tant que comportement reproductif « hors norme » et tente de placer ces maternités « non désirées » dans le contexte de la transition vers l’âge adulte. Nous offrons une vue longitudinale de cette problématique en décrivant « trois temps » de la vie d’une mère adolescente :- Le temps d’« avant maternité » où le fait de devenir mère adolescente est fonction de trois probabilités : celle d’avoir des rapports sexuels, celle de recourir à un (des) moyen(s) contraceptif(s) et celle de recourir à l’IVG en cas de grossesse ;- Le temps de la maternité. Quelles sont les situations de vie de ces mères adolescentes au moment de la naissance de leurs enfants ? - Le temps d’« après-maternité ». Comment varient les parcours génésiques, conjugaux, professionnels et résidentiels des femmes en fonction de leur âge à l’entrée dans la maternité ? / This thesis in demography focuses upon very early entries into motherhood in a comparative perspective between two countries similar in socioeconomic terms but differing vastly in terms of fertility, especially during adolescence - France and England and Wales. It explores adolescent maternities as an “uncommon” reproductive behaviour and aims to place these un-“unintended” births in the context of the transition to adulthood. We offer a longitudinal view of this phenomenon by describing three “periods” in the life of an adolescent mother:- The period “before maternity” where becoming an adolescent mother is a function of three probabilities: of having sexual intercourse, of using contraception and of having an abortion in case of a pregnancy;- The period of the maternity. What are the characteristics and life conditions of adolescent mothers at the time of birth ?- The period “after maternity”. How do the reproductive, conjugal, professional and residential trajectories of mothers vary in function of their age at first birth ?

Objetivo: Descrever a iniciação sexual e o uso de métodos anticoncepcionais e estimar fatores associados a estas condutas, em adolescentes de 13 a 17 anos de idade, de escolas da rede pública de ensino secundário da Ilha de Santiago, Cabo Verde. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado com amostra probabilística e representativa de 768 adolescentes com idade entre 13 e 17 anos, de escolas secundárias públicas da Ilha de Santiago em 2007. A associação foi testada pelo teste de proporção, qui-quadrado de Pearson ou Fisher e regressão logística. Para estimar os fatores associados ao uso de métodos anticoncepcionais e preservativo, foi analisada a sub-amostra de 368 adolescentes sexualmente ativos. O início da vida sexual, o uso de métodos anticoncepcionais e o uso de preservativo foram analisados como desfechos. Foram consideradas variáveis independentes: características sociodemográficas, afetivo-sexuais e comportamentais. Foi utilizada regressão logística para análise simultânea dos fatores, considerando-se nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Entre os adolescentes do sexo masculino, os fatores associados ao início da vida sexual foram: idade maior que 14 anos, ser católico e consumir bebidas alcoólicas. Entre as adolescentes do sexo feminino, possuir mais de nove anos de estudo e parceria afetivosexual foram associados ao início da vida sexual. Entre os 368 adolescentes, 69,3% referiram ter usado métodos anticoncepcionais na sua última relação sexual, sendo mais freqüentes o preservativo (94,9%) e a pílula (26,4%). Fatores significativos e positivamente associados ao uso de métodos anticoncepcionais na última relação foram: morar em município da capital (OR=2,02; IC95%: 1,23;3,32), ter namorado anteriormente à época da entrevista (OR=2,82; IC95%: 1,51;5,26) e ter mais de oito anos de estudo (OR=2,03; IC95%: 1,23;3,33). A prevalência de uso de preservativo na última relação sexual foi de 94,9%. Fatores associados ao uso de preservativo na última relação foram: religião não católica (OR=0,68, IC 95%: 0,52;0,88) e parceria afetivo-sexual no período anterior à pesquisa (OR = 5,15, IC 95%: 1,79; 14,80). Conclusões: Ao contrário de outros contextos da África Subsaariana, foram constadas taxas elevadas de uso de preservativo por adolescentes no início da vida sexual. Os adolescentes podem iniciar a vida sexual de maneira mais segura se tiverem informação, educação sexual e acesso a métodos de prevenção à gravidez e IST. O elevado uso de preservativo e a associação entre escolaridade e utilização de métodos anticoncepcionais entre adolescentes na última relação sexual podem expressar resultados positivos das políticas de saúde sexual e reprodutiva atuais, contribuindo para diminuição da infecção por HIV. Todavia, a influência da religião e da parceria afetivo-sexual no uso de preservativo revela a necessidade de ações de prevenção voltadas para segmentos religiosos não católicos e que não possuem parceria afetivo-sexual. Este estudo oferece elementos para a reflexão sobre o delineamento de políticas de redução da vulnerabilidade dos jovens às IST/Aids e sobre os limites e desafios da promoção do uso do preservativo e educação sexual focando as relações desiguais de gênero. / Objective: To describe the onset of sexual life and the use of contraceptive methods and to estimate factors associated among adolescents aged 13-17 years from public high schools in Santiago Island, Cape Verde. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a probabilistic and representative sample of 768 adolescents aged 13-17 years from public high schools was carried out in Santiago Island, Cape Verde, in 2007. The association was verified by means of test of proportions, Pearsons chi-square, Fishers exact and logistic regression. The subsample of 368 sexually active adolescents was analyzed to estimate the factors associated with contraceptive methods and condom use. The first sexual intercourse and contraceptive methods and condom use were analyzed as outcomes. Sociodemographic, sexual-affective and behavioral characteristics were the independent variables. Logistic regression was used for simultaneous analysis of factors at a 5% significance level. Results: Among male adolescents, the factors associated with the first sexual intercourse were: age over 14 years, being catholic and alcohol consumption. For female adolescents, having more than nine years of schooling and sexual-affective partnership were associated with the first sexual intercourse. Among the 368 adolescents, 69.3% reported use of contraceptive methods in the last sexual intercourse; the most frequent methods were condom (94.9%) and pill (26.4%). Significant and positive factors associated with the use of contraceptive methods in the last sexual intercourse were: living in the capital (OR=2.02; 95%CI: 1.23;3.32), having dated previously the study (OR=2.82; 95%CI: 1.51;5.26) and having more than eight years of schooling (OR=2.03; 95%CI: 1.23;3.33). The prevalence of condom use in the last sexual intercourse was 94.9%. Factors associated with condom use in the last sexual intercourse were: being non-catholic (OR=0.68, 95%CI: 0.52;0.88) and having affective-sexual partnership previously the study (OR=5.15, 95%CI: 1.79;14.80). Conclusions: Contrary to other Sub-Saharan Africa contexts, high rates of condom use in adolescents first sexual intercourse were observed. Adolescents are able to begin sexual life more safely as long as they are provide with information, sexual education and access to contraceptive and STI prevention methods. The high condom use and the association between schooling and contraceptive methods utilization in the last sexual intercourse may express positive outcomes from the current sexual and reproductive health policies, accounting for the decrease in HIV infection. However, the influence of religion and sexual-affective partnership on condom use indicates the need for preventive measures targeted at noncatholic groups and those without affective-sexual partnership. This study contributes for the reflection upon the design of policies aimed at reducing the vulnerability of young people to STI/AIDS and the limits and challenges to promote condom use and sexual education focusing on gender inequalities.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a influência do ciclo menstrual nas alterações de limiar de dor à pressão (LDP) na musculatura mastigatória de mulheres com sinais e sintomas de Disfunção Temporomandibular (DTM). Inicialmente 47 voluntárias entre 18 e 40 anos participaram do estudo, das quais 36 foram incluídas no experimento: 15 com sinais e sintomas de DTM (7 sob terapia com contraceptivos orais (CO) e 8 sem CO) e 21 saudáveis, sem sinais e/ou sintomas de DTM (8 com CO e 13 sem CO). Os LDPs dos músculos masseter e temporais (anterior, médio e posterior), e do tendão de Aquiles foram medidos bilateralmente, por meio de um algômetro, durante 2 ciclos menstruais consecutivos, nas 4 diferentes fases: menstrual (dias 1-3), folicular (dias 5-9), periovulatória (dias 12-16) e lútea (dias 19-23). Em cada fase do ciclo, as voluntárias relataram sua dor em uma Escala de Análise Visual (EVA). Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância a 3 critérios para mensurações repetidas, a um nível de significância de 5%.Foram encontrados LDPs significativamente menores nos músculos temporal e masseter e no tendão de Aquiles das mulheres com DTM quando comparado às mulheres assintomáticas, independentemente da fase do ciclo e do uso de contraceptivos (p < 0,05). De uma maneira geral, os LDPs foram maiores em mulheres em terapia com contraceptivos orais, quando comparado às mulheres sem terapia. Parece não existir influência das diferentes fases do ciclo menstrual no LDP, independentemente da presença ou não de DTM. / The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the menstrual cycle on the Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT) figures of the masticatory muscles in women with signs and symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). Forty-seven volunteers (ages between 18-40 years-old) were initially recruited for this purpose. According to the criteria adopted, 36 were included. The experimental group was composed of 15 women with myofascial pain (RDC/TMD) (7 under oral contraceptive medication), while 21 women with no TMD signs or symptoms (8 under oral contraceptive medication) composed the control group. The PPT values of masseter and temporalis (anterior, middle, and posterior regions) muscles, as well as the Achilles? tendon were bilaterally screened during two consecutive menstrual cycles, in the following phases: menstrual (day 1-3), follicular (day 5-9), periovulatory (day 12-16) and luteal (day 19-23). A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to address subjective pain in each menstrual phase. Data were submitted to 3-way ANOVA for repeated measurements, with a 5% significant level. The PPT values were significantly lower in the temporalis, masseter, and the Achilles? tendon of TMD patients when compared with the asymptomatic controls, regardless of the menstrual cycle phase or the use of oral contraceptives (p<.05). Overall, the PPT values were higher for patients under oral contraceptive therapy, while VAS was, in general higher at the menstrual phase (p<.05). It appears that the different phases of menstrual cycle have no influence on the PPT values, regardless of the presence of a previous condition, as myofascial pain.