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1. Adolescent Refugees and Migrants: A Reproductive Health Emergency
2. AIDS, Public Policy and Child Well-being
3. Central America: A Guide to Combating All Forms of Discrimination Against Children and Young People
4. Education and HIV and AIDS in Malawi: The Role of Open, Distance and Flexible Learning
5. Ideas for Working with Girls
6. Improving Communication between Parents and Adolescents on Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS
7. Improving the Education Response to HIV and AIDS: Lessons of Partner Efforts in Coordination, Harmonisation, Alignment, Information Sharing and Monitoring in Jamaica, Kenya, Thailand and Zambia
8. Mobilising Communities on Young People’s Health and Rights
9. No One to Turn To: The Under-reporting of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Aid Workers and Peacekeepers
10. Our Right to Be Protected from Violence: Activities for Learning and Taking Action for Children and Young People
11. Training Youth Caregivers to Provide Education and Support to Orphans and Vulnerable Children in South Africa
12. Youth Risk-taking Behavior in Brazil: Drug Use and Teenage Pregnancy
13. YouthLens Research Brief Series, issues 25-27
1. Adolescents’ perception of reproductive health care services in Sri Lanka
2. Barriers and facilitators to human papillomavirus vaccination among Chinese adolescent girls in Hong Kong: a qualitative–quantitative study
3. Childhood abuse as a risk factor for adolescent pregnancy in El Salvador
4. Effects of the culturally-sensitive comprehensive sex education programme among Thai secondary school students
5. Factors influencing teen mothers' enrollment and participation in prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission services in Limpopo Province, South Africa
6. Health providers' perceptions of adolescent sexual and reproductive health care in Swaziland
7. Links between sex-related expectations about alcohol, heavy episodic drinking and sexual risk among young men in a shantytown in Lima, Peru
8. Out-of-school and ‘at risk’? Socio-demographic characteristics, AIDS knowledge and risk perception among young people in Northern Tanzania
9. Perinatal outcome of primiparous teenagers in northern Namibia
10. Reasons for multiple sexual partnerships: Perspectives of young people in Zambia
11. Sexual risk reduction needs of adolescents living with HIV in a clinical care setting
12. Study on peer-led school-based HIV/AIDS prevention among youths in a medium-sized city in China
13. Young males' gendered sexuality in the era of HIV and AIDS in Limpopo Province, South Africa
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1. Adolescent Refugees and Migrants: A Reproductive Health Emergency (2008, PDF, 19 pages, 1.9 MB)
This paper focuses on young refugees and migrants, who have the same developmental needs common to all young people, but whose needs are significantly affected by displacement from their homes and separation from the structure and guidance of their families. The new environments in which they find themselves are often violent, stressful, and unhealthy places to live.
Organization: Pathfinder International
Contact: tech-comm@pathfind.org
2. AIDS, Public Policy and Child Well-being (2007, PDF, 362 pages, 2.6 MB)
This book reviews the community and public policy interventions introduced so far to moderate the impact of the disease on children and families, and it discusses the advantages and limitations of such interventions. The main constraint to the measures introduced so far is their nearly exclusive focus on prevention and the health sector. While this approach is understandable in the early phase of an epidemic, its ability to protect child well-being now appears limited. Indeed, even the countries that successfully reduced adult prevalence are now confronted with a rise in the number of pediatric AIDS cases and AIDS deaths among parents and orphans. In the absence of more decisive policy action, the prospects for child well-being will remain problematic.
Organization: UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre
Contact: florenceorders@unicef.org
3. Central America: A Guide to Combating All Forms of Discrimination Against Children and Young People (2008, PDF, 191 pages, 1.2 MB; in Spanish)
This publication reports on discrimination against children with disabilities in Nicaragua.
Organization: Save the Children
Contact: postmaster@scslat.org
4. Education and HIV and AIDS in Malawi: The Role of Open, Distance and Flexible Learning (2008, PDF, 46 pages, 278 KB)
Drawing mostly on secondary data (e.g., the analysis of documents, reports, and academic articles), as well as on primary data from interviews and discussions with key informants in Malawi, this paper reviews the way in which the education sector in Malawi is responding to support students' access to education and achievement in the context of the AIDS epidemic.
Organization: The SOFIE Project
Contact: m.harri@ioe.ac.uk
5. Ideas for Working with Girls (2008, CD-ROM) (Free for orders coming from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean; elsewhere, $7.95 plus $5.00 shipping.)
This CD contains a collection of games, training manuals, and workshops for teachers, trainers, and others who work for and with girls. It includes interactive and participatory training guides and resources on rights, empowerment, violence against women and girls, HIV/AIDS, sexuality and reproductive health, and leadership development.
Organization: International Women's Tribune Center
Contact: iwtc@iwtc.org
6. Improving Communication between Parents and Adolescents on Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS (2008, PDF, 54 pages, 787 KB; executive summary in English, report in French)
This document reports on an operations research project focused on parents/guardians of young people age 10-19 living in urban and rural Senegal. The goal of the project was to develop a model of intervention and assess its effectiveness in increasing adult-youth communication about issues of adolescent well-being, sexuality, and reproductive health. Researchers measured changes in parents' and youth's knowledge and attitudes about reproductive health; community support for adolescent needs; the frequency and quality of sexual-health-related discussions between parents and their children; and the protective and regulatory mechanisms used by parents to address adolescents' reproductive health.
Organization: Population Council
Contact: publications@popcouncil.org
7. Improving the Education Response to HIV and AIDS: Lessons of Partner Efforts in Coordination, Harmonisation, Alignment, Information Sharing and Monitoring in Jamaica, Kenya, Thailand and Zambia (2008, PDF, 77 pages, 792 KB)
This report synthesizes case study exercises undertaken to examine the quality, effectiveness, and coordination of the education sector’s response to the HIV epidemic. In each country, stakeholders assessed critical achievements and gaps in the education sector response to HIV and AIDS; the evolution and effectiveness of coordination mechanisms and structures; progress toward harmonization and alignment; information-sharing on HIV and AIDS and education; key resources for the response; and monitoring and evaluation.
Organization: UNESCO/Inter-agency Task Team on Education
Contact: info-iatt@unesco.org
8. Mobilising Communities on Young People’s Health and Rights
Organization: Family Care International
Contact: info@familycareintl.org
9. No One to Turn To: The Under-reporting of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Aid Workers and Peacekeepers
English (2008, PDF, 37 pages, 446 KB)
French (2008, PDF, 40 pages, 358 KB)
No One to Turn To seeks to reinvigorate efforts to address the sexual abuse and exploitation of children by the very people hired to help them — aid workers and peacekeepers. Based on research with communities and international organizations, this publication examines the chronic under-reporting of abuse and the inadequate response to it. It provides new analysis on why this abuse persists despite international efforts to stop it, and proposes new solutions to tackle it.
Organization: Save the Children UK
Contact: supporter.care@savethechildren.org.uk
10. Our Right to Be Protected from Violence: Activities for Learning and Taking Action for Children and Young People (2008, PDF, 78 pages, 4.3 MB)
This publication is meant for adults, youth leaders, and peer educators who work with young people aged 12-18 in community centers, youth groups, and other settings. The book gives information about the UN Study on Violence Against Children, activities that can be used to help others learn about these issues, and ideas for taking action against violence.
Organization: United Nations
Contact: publications@un.org
11. Training Youth Caregivers to Provide Education and Support to Orphans and Vulnerable Children in South Africa (2008, PDF, 12 pages, 855 KB)
A study conducted by the Population Council in KwaZulu Natal suggests that using trained youth caregivers is a feasible approach for reaching orphans and vulnerable children with HIV prevention education and support. Participants were enthusiastic about the program and demonstrated some improvements in HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and communication.
Organization: Population Council
Contact: horizons@popcouncil.org
12. Youth Risk-taking Behavior in Brazil: Drug Use and Teenage Pregnancy (2008, 14 pages, 220 KB)
The authors conducted an extensive survey to address risk factors faced by young people in the shantytowns of Fortaleza, Brazil. The paper analyzes the impact of factors — such as exposure to mass media, the existence of support networks, self-esteem, and the occurrence of violence at home and in the neighborhood — on the probability of risk-taking behavior.
Organization: The World Bank and Institute for the Study of Labor
Contact: iza@iza.org
13. YouthLens Research Brief Series, issues 25-27
No. 25. Helping Parents Improve Adolescent Health (2008, PDF, 4 pages, 179 KB). New reports from the World Health Organization show the importance of parents for improving adolescent health but also raise questions about how programs address desired parental behaviors. This YouthLens summarizes the new reports.
No. 26. Youth and Injecting Drug Users (2008, PDF, 4 pages, KB). Most injecting drug users start the practice before age 25, yet few HIV prevention programs targeting injecting drug use focus on youth – either to prevent the initiation of injecting or to reduce risks of HIV associated with injecting drugs.
No. 27. Addressing the Needs of Young Adolescents (2008, PDF, 4 pages, KB). Although programs are beginning to pay attention to the needs of young adolescents, more evaluations of these efforts are needed. New interventions are generally either community-based efforts or school-based approaches, including new sexuality and life skills education.
Organization: Family Health International
Contact: youthwg@fhi.org
1. Adolescents’ perception of reproductive health care services in Sri Lanka (PDF, 260 KB). Agampodi SB, Agampodi TC, Ukd P. BMC Health Serv Res 2008;8(Article No. 98):8p.
The purpose of this study was to explore the perceived reproductive health problems, health-seeking behaviors, knowledge about available services, and barriers to reaching services among a group of adolescents in Sri Lanka in order to improve reproductive health service delivery. A convenience sample of 32 adolescents between 17 and 19 years of age participated in four focus group discussions. These discussions revealed that knowledge on existing services was very poor and that boys were totally unaware of youth health services available through the public health system. Girls mainly sought help for reproductive health matters from friends, whereas boys did not want to discuss their problems with anyone. Lack of availability of services was the most important barrier cited. Lack of confidentiality, youth friendliness, and accessibility of available services were other barriers discussed.
2. Barriers and facilitators to human papillomavirus vaccination among Chinese adolescent girls in Hong Kong: a qualitative–quantitative study. Kwan TT, Chan KK, Yip AM, et al. Sex Transm Infect 2008;84(3):227-32.
Six focus groups were conducted with Chinese adolescent girls in Hong Kong in April 2007. A supplementary questionnaire was administered to all participants before and after group discussion to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and intention to be vaccinated and to collect demographic information. Participants' knowledge on cervical cancer was limited and HPV was largely unheard of. They had difficulty understanding the mechanism linking cervical cancer with HPV infection. Participants held a favorable attitude toward HPV vaccination, but the perceived timing of vaccination varied. Barriers to vaccination include high monetary cost, uncertain length of vaccine effectiveness, low perceived risk of HPV infection, no immediate perceived need of vaccination, anticipated family disapproval, and fear of the pain of injection.
3. Childhood abuse as a risk factor for adolescent pregnancy in El Salvador. Pallitto CC, Murillo V. J Adolesc Health 2008;42(6):580-6.
The authors used data from 3,753 women between the ages of 15 and 24 from a nationally representative household health survey of Salvadoran women (FESAL 2002/2003) to explore the association between history of childhood abuse and adolescent pregnancy. The effect of intimate partner violence during adolescence on the relationship was explored among a subgroup of 15- to 19-year-olds. The risk of adolescent pregnancy was significantly higher among women abused as children. Women who were sexually abused, physically abused, or who experienced any type of abuse had a 48%, 42%, and 31% higher risk, respectively, of adolescent pregnancy than those without a history of abuse, after adjusting for confounding factors. Intimate partner violence during adolescence was also strongly and significantly linked with adolescent pregnancy risk.
4. Effects of the culturally-sensitive comprehensive sex education programme among Thai secondary school students. Thato R, Jenkins RA, Dusitsin NJ. Adv Nurs 2008;62(4):457-69.
A quasi-experimental study was conducted in which outcome measures included sexual behavior, condom use, intention to refuse sex, intention to use condoms, and knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (including HIV) and pregnancy. Students in the experimental group participated in a comprehensive sex education program and had lower levels of reported sexual intercourse at 3- and 6-month follow-ups, compared with those in control group. Students participating in the program had significantly greater intention to refuse sex in the future, and sexually active adolescents participating in the program reported significantly lower frequencies of sexual intercourse across time. However, the program did not influence consistent condom use, although the intervention was associated with increased intention to use condoms. Knowledge about STIs, HIV, and pregnancy among students in the intervention group was significantly greater. The authors conclude that school nurses can play a major role by applying this kind of sex education program.
5. Factors influencing teen mothers' enrollment and participation in prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission services in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Varga C, Brookes H. Qual Health Res 2008;18(6):786-802.
The authors conducted a community-based survey and focus group discussions with adolescent mothers. Client–counselor dynamics during pretest counseling were pivotal in determining uptake and participation, and counselor profile strongly influenced the nature of the interaction. Other factors found to influence adherence to recommendations for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission included the stigma surrounding HIV and early premarital pregnancy, fear of a positive test result, and concerns over confidentiality and poor treatment by health care providers. Adolescents described elaborate strategies to avoid HIV disclosure to labor and delivery staff, despite knowing this would mean no antiretroviral therapy for their newborn infants. Theoretical, methodological, and programmatic implications of study findings are also discussed.
6. Health providers' perceptions of adolescent sexual and reproductive health care in Swaziland. Mngadi PT, Faxelid E, Zwane IT, et al. Int Nurs Rev 2008;55(2):148-55.
Fifty-six healthcare providers, working in 11 health clinics in Swaziland in 2005, were surveyed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Their services included providing advice on STIs and HIV/AIDS and offering pre- and post-test counseling and testing on HIV, contraceptives, and condom use. Half of the nurses/midwives had no continued education and lacked supervision on adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care. The majority had unresolved ethical dilemmas toward abortion care between the law, which is against abortion, and the reality of the adolescents' situation. Twenty-six wanted the government to support adolescent-friendly services and to train healthcare providers in adolescent SRH services. The authors conclude that curricula within nursing and midwifery pre-service education need to be reviewed to incorporate comprehensive services for adolescents.
7. Links between sex-related expectations about alcohol, heavy episodic drinking and sexual risk among young men in a shantytown in Lima, Peru. Galvez-Buccollini JA, Paz-Soldan V, Herrera P, et al. Int Fam Plan Perspect 2008;34(1):15-20.
Cross-sectional data from 312 sexually experienced males aged 18-30 in a shantytown in Lima, Peru, were used in logistic regression models to identify associations of heavy episodic drinking and sex-related expectations about alcohol with sexual risk behaviors. Heavy episodic drinking was associated with having had two or more sexual partners and having had sex with a casual partner in the past year. After controlling for alcohol consumption, the authors found that sex-related expectations about alcohol were associated with these high-risk sexual behaviors, as well as with not using a condom at last sex and not using a condom at last sex with a casual partner. Beliefs about the effect of alcohol on sexual performance could help explain links between alcohol consumption and risky sexual behavior not completely accounted for by the pharmacological effects of alcohol.
8. Out-of-school and ‘at risk’? Socio-demographic characteristics, AIDS knowledge and risk perception among young people in Northern Tanzania. Bastien S. Int J Educ Dev 2008;28(4):393-404.
A structured face-to-face interview was conducted with 1,007 young people between the ages of 13 and 18 from urban and rural Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Findings suggest that not attending school is the product of a complex interaction of economic, individual, family, and school-related factors. Boys have more AIDS knowledge than girls, and those from urban areas are more knowledgeable than their rural counterparts. AIDS knowledge increased significantly at each level of education. Those with the highest risk perception were male, of young age, and from rural areas. Expanding access to AIDS information, particularly in rural areas, while concomitantly addressing the social and structural determinants of educational attainment is crucial to improving the health of young people.
9. Perinatal outcome of primiparous teenagers in northern Namibia. van Dillen J, van Beijeren E, van Roosmalen J. Trop Doct 2008;38(2):122-5.
The authors assessed the obstetric and perinatal outcomes of teenage pregnancies compared with their older counterparts in northern Namibia. They did a retrospective study using birth records from February 2002 to August 2002. The data collected included perinatal mortality, delivery mode, birth weight, in-hospital days, and frequency of antenatal care (ANC) attendance. They were compared with primiparous women in different age groups (n = 612). No differences were found in obstetric and perinatal outcomes among the three different age groups. Overall ANC attendance was high. The perinatal outcome for pregnant teenagers was comparable with their older counterparts in northern Namibia. In this region, ANC succeeds in reaching pregnant teenagers, and teenage pregnancies are not at an increased risk for obstetric complications.
10. Reasons for multiple sexual partnerships: Perspectives of young people in Zambia. Nshindano C, Maharaj P. Afr J AIDS Res 2008;7(1):37-44.
This study explores youths’ perspectives on multiple sexual partnerships in the context of HIV and AIDS. The study draws on four focus group discussions and 10 in-depth interviews with university students in Lusaka, Zambia in 2006. While the young people were generally aware of the HIV-related risk associated with multiple sexual partnerships, they felt several obstacles prevented them from changing their sexual behavior. Of special interest are their perceptions related to socio-economic disadvantages and cultural factors.
11. Sexual risk reduction needs of adolescents living with HIV in a clinical care setting. Bakeera-Kitaka S, Nabukeera-Barungi N, Nostlinger C, et al. AIDS Care 2008;20(4):426-33.
Seventy-five young people (11-21 years) living with HIV and attending the Paediatric Infectious Disease Clinic in Kampala, Uganda participated in eight focus group discussions. In addition, one focus group was conducted with adult key informants (service providers). About a quarter of the young participants reported prior or current sexual experience. The study revealed knowledge gaps relating to reproductive health, HIV transmission, and contraceptive methods. Motivations for protection included hope for the future, good counseling, and fear of the consequences of sexual activity, such as unwanted pregnancies. Barriers to adopting preventive behaviors included peer pressure, poverty, HIV-related stigma, ignorance of their partners, alcohol use, and a desire to have children for the older participants. Young seropositive people in this setting lacked specific behavioral skills, such as disclosure of HIV status to their sexual partners.
12. Study on peer-led school-based HIV/AIDS prevention among youths in a medium-sized city in China. Huang H, Ye X, Cai Y, et al. Int J STD AIDS 2008;19(5):342-6.
This study examined the effectiveness of peer-led HIV prevention intervention on HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and behavior intention in senior high school students in San-ming, China. Three thousand and sixty-eight students completed self-administered questionnaires before and after intervention, of which 981 students (the intervention group) accepted peer-led HIV/AIDS prevention intervention and others (the control groups) continued the usual teacher-led health education curriculum. Significant increases were observed in the intervention group in HIV-related knowledge, in attitudes, and in behavior intention after intervention.
13. Young males' gendered sexuality in the era of HIV and AIDS in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Ragnarsson A, Onya HE, Thorson A, et al. Qual Health Res 2008;18(6):739-46.
This study comprised 19 focus group discussions with adolescents aged 12 to 14 years. The participants depicted male sexuality as biologically predetermined, where physical needs and practices such as circumcision legitimize early sexual debut. Furthermore, the construction of male sexual identity and power imbalances in relationships are already evident at an early age, and age and economics are pertinent factors affecting social relations. Violent behavior and sexual abuse are supported by constructed gender inequalities, which form an often negative and nonsupportive environment for young people. The authors stress the importance of planned HIV and sexuality education for young adolescents with support structures that can help endorse individual actions and informed choices. This is especially important in resource-poor settings where young people are likely to be less empowered.
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