6867 research outputs found
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Encuentros entre feministas jóvenes organizadas y actores clave: tensiones, financiamiento y supervivencia
No full textA pesar de que las mujeres jóvenes feministas son una parte importante del movimiento feminista en México, hay muy poca información escrita desde su perspectiva en torno a la relación que tienen con organizaciones más grandes, fundaciones y organizaciones donantes nacionales e internacionales, y con actoras/es clave a nivel institucional, como lo muestran los resultados de una revisión documental sobre el panorama e impacto de la organización de jóvenes feministas en México.
El objetivo de este documento es evidenciar la complejidad de las relaciones entre las organizaciones y colectivas de feministas jóvenes en México y las fundaciones y organizaciones donantes así como instituciones de gobierno; a la par de reconocer buenas prácticas. Para ello, analizamos y sintetizamos las reflexiones que las jóvenes participantes en el proyecto nos compartieron a través de grupos focales y entrevistas, a la par que incluimos sus propios testimonios. De esta manera, buscamos mostrar la perspectiva que ellas mismas tienen sobre su relación con otras organizaciones de la sociedad civil (OSC), instituciones de gobierno y privadas, donantes, organismos y fundaciones internacionales
Male contraceptive methods: Understanding men and women\u27s views and related relationship dynamics via nationally representative surveys in six countries
No full textA better understanding of men\u27s and women\u27s attitudes and relationship contexts into which novel male contraceptive methods will be introduced is needed. A cross-sectional survey of 12,435 randomly selected heterosexual men aged 18–60 years—and 9122 of their female partners—was conducted in Nigeria, Kenya, the DR Congo (DRC), Ivory Coast, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, during 2021–2022. Across all countries, the majority endorsed that both men and women are responsible for contraception and reported that open communication and shared decision-making were common between partners. Important differences emerged by region—for example, larger proportions in Asian versus African contexts reported trust in one\u27s partner to disclose contraception use. About one-third of respondents who had used existing male contraceptives were dissatisfied with them. Notable proportions (up to one half) also had some concerns about the potential of new male contraception methods —for example, that it may negatively affect men\u27s sexual performance. Multinomial regression analyses showed that higher education and income were associated with more positive attitudes about men and women\u27s shared responsibility for contraception. Findings suggest that a future roll-out of novel male contraception should tailor awareness messages and related programming to address existing concerns and differences in attitudes across regions. Results also indicate that in multiple countries with high burdens of unintended pregnancy there is a need, interest, and relatively favorable contexts for the introduction of new male contraceptives
Unpacking vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among adolescent girls and young women in India: A qualitative study
No full textBackground: Despite national declines in HIV prevalence, adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in India remain disproportionately vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. This vulnerability stems from a convergence of biological, social, and structural factors, including early marriage, gendered expectations, poverty, and limited access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services. While prior research has documented these determinants, few studies explore how they intersect and evolve to shape AGYW’s lived experiences of risk, particularly within the general population. Methods: This qualitative study used an adapted socio-ecological framework (which conceptualizes how structural, community, and individual-level factors interact to influence health and vulnerability) to examine the pathways of vulnerability to STIs and HIV among AGYW aged 16–24 in two urban regions: Delhi NCR and Mumbai. Data were collected through 42 in-depth interviews (IDIs), 4 focus group discussions (FGDs), and 18 key informant interviews (KIIs) with health providers, NGO staff, and program implementers. Reflexive thematic analysis was applied, guided by deductive codes from the eco-social model and inductive insights from participants’ narratives. Results: Findings show that AGYW’s vulnerability is shaped by interconnected macro (e.g., early marriage, patriarchal norms), meso (e.g., school-based silences, provider bias), and micro (e.g., relationship coercion, low self-efficacy) level factors. Although some AGYW had SRH knowledge, stigma, lack of autonomy, and unsupportive environments often constrained its use. Married and low-income AGYW were particularly disadvantaged, while non-governmental organizations (NGOs) played an important but uneven role—offering crucial safe spaces for awareness and support, yet limited by inconsistent coordination and resources. Conclusion: AGYW’s vulnerability to STIs/HIV in urban India is produced through dynamic and intersecting structural, institutional, and interpersonal constraints. Addressing these requires integrated, gender-sensitive interventions that promote agency, reduce stigma, and foster collaboration between NGOs and public systems. Programs must go beyond awareness to reshape the environments in which AGYW make sexual health decisions
Expanding Access to Family Planning in Refugee Settings with Sustainable, Scalable, and Low-cost Solutions
No full textWithin refugee settlements, the uptake of family planning (FP) services remains low, despite their availability. Cultural taboos, misinformation, and stigma often discourage women of reproductive age (15–49 years) from actively seeking these services. To expand access to FP services using existing, low-cost approaches and appropriate communication mechanisms and scale-up platforms, Baobab and partners are harnessing existing food distribution and refugee verification platforms as a strategic avenue for reaching women with FP information and counseling, coupled with strengthened referral procedures between these platforms and health facilities for actual FP provision and uptake
Intersections of menstruation, gender-based violence and contraceptive use: Qualitative insights from girls and young women’s experiences in western Kenyan family planning clinics
No full textObjective: To examine how menstruation, contraceptive use and gender-based violence intersect to shape the sexual and reproductive health and autonomy of girls and young women in Kenya. Design: Qualitative study exploring girls and young women’s experiences with contraceptive use and menstrual management, using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions analysed through a reflexive thematic approach. Setting: Four county-run family planning clinics in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. Participants: 77 girls and young women aged 15–19 years (via 35 in-depth interviews and 7 focus group discussions) and 27 family planning clinic providers (via 5 focus group discussions). Results: Interviewees’ contributions suggest that covert contraceptive use, when discovered through menstrual monitoring, provoked intimate partner violence. Heavy menstrual bleeding, whether related to contraceptive use or not, was viewed as a sexual restriction and also fuelled intimate partner violence. Furthermore, the inability to afford sanitary pads, combined with the stigma surrounding menstruation, drove some girls and young women into exploitative sexual relationships, often resulting in unwanted or unintended pregnancies. Conclusions: Menstrual bleeding and contraceptive use, both independently and in combination, affect girls and young women’s reproductive autonomy and overall health and well-being, particularly in relation to gender-based violence. Improving menstrual hygiene management, challenging the stigma and harmful norms tied to menstruation and contraception and ensuring safe contraceptive use are integral to improving sexual and reproductive health and autonomy and are requisite for preventing and eradicating gender-based violence
Impact of digital exposure on premarital sex and contraception use among unmarried Indian youth
No full textBackground: Premarital sex in India is hugely stigmatized. With the widespread use of mobile phones and the internet, attitudes and behaviors towards premarital sexual activities are inevitably shifting. This study investigates the impact of digital exposure, specifically mobile phones and the internet on premarital sex and contraception use among unmarried Indian youths. Methodology: Utilizing data from the 5th National Family Health Survey, the analysis includes 172,568 women and 33,397 men aged 15–29 years. The study applies univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistical methods, such as Chi-square tests and Multiple Logistic Regression. Propensity Score matching addresses selection bias, estimating the impact of digital exposure on premarital sexual activities and condom use. Results: The findings show that youth exposed to mobile phones and the internet are more likely to engage in premarital sex and use condoms during their first sexual encounter. Specifically, 13.46% of men and 2.83% of women reported premarital sex, with 60.84% of men using condoms at first sex. These behaviors are significantly associated with age, education, urban residence, and mass media exposure. Conclusion: Digital exposure significantly influences premarital sexual behaviors and contraception use among unmarried Indian youth. Adoption of mobile devices and internet usage in India should be accompanied by the implementation of holistic and culturally appropriate technology-driven interventions to provide sex education in India
Misclassification of HIV infection status among serologically diverse populations in Nigeria: Implications for test and treat program
No full textBackground: In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Test and Treat policy which supports antiretroviral treatment for all people with HIV, irrespective of CD4 count or clinical stage. This was adopted in 2016 in Nigeria. This policy resulted in scaleup of HIV testing strategies and differentiated models of care including community-based ART. This study evaluated the HIV testing algorithm and assessed the rates of misclassification of HIV status among newly diagnosed clients. Methods: Between February and August 2018, whole blood samples were collected from clients newly diagnosed with HIV in Lagos and Benue states. HIV status wasconfirmed with rapid tests using the serial algorithm during outreach sessions for both key populations and general populations. HIV positivity was confirmed using GenScreen™ HIV1/2.O Antibody only ELISA test (BioRad, USA). Optical density (OD) for each sample was measured with the use of Emax microplate reader set at endpoint 450 wavelength. Based on manufacturer’s algorithm, sample OD and calculated cut-off value ratio, an OD \u3c 1.0 was interpreted as negative and \u3e 1.0, positive. Concordance between rapid test algorithm result and ELISA was used to estimate the proportion of samples that were misclassified. Results: A total of 788 samples were collected from newly diagnosed clients across 4 sites in Lagos and 3 sites in Benue. Samples were collected from 212 and 178 key populations (KPs) clients in Lagos and Benue, respectively, and from 206 and 192 general population (GPs) clients in Lagos and Benue, respectively. Mean OD was 3.75 (IQR:3.70–3.81) with a standard deviation of 0.13. There was a 100% concordance between rapid test and ELISA results and no misclassification identified. Conclusion: We identified no instances of misclassification of positive HIV status suggesting that all clients who have been placed on treatment truly had HIV infection. The 100% concordance rate recorded from all the sites may be attributable to the maturity of the HIV program in Nigerian with a concomitant standard quality assurance system for both clinical and outreach testing services. This finding supports the implementation of the Test and Treat policy that Nigeria has adopted. Scale up of Test and Treat and community ART is thus recommended to increase access to treatment
Preference, adherence, and acceptability of 3 nonmedicated intravaginal rings of differing external diameters: A randomized, crossover trial
No full textBackground: No empirical data support the 54 to 58 mm external diameter of intravaginal rings currently available and in development for contraception and other indications. Understanding how external diameter affects preference, adherence, and acceptability is critical for optimizing future product development. Objective: Our primary objectives were to determine which of 3 nonmedicated rings of differing external diameters was preferred and yielded the highest adherence. Secondary objectives were comparing acceptability, patterns of adherence, and safety of the 3 rings. Study Design: In an open-label, 3-way crossover trial, healthy, HIV-uninfected, monogamous, sexually active, nonpregnant, 18-year-old to 40-year-old cisgender women and their male partners in Atlanta, GA and the Bronx, NY were randomly assigned to the sequence of using 3 nonmedicated silicone rings (46 mm, 56 mm, and 66 mm external diameters) continuously for approximately 30 days each (90 days total; November 2021 to December 2022). We tested whether end-of-study preference for any of the 3 rings was greater than 0.33 (binomial proportion, exact test). We used mixed-effect regression models with random intercepts by participants to compare adherence (ring never out for more than 30 minutes in 24 hours) and probability of removals (including reasons for removal), expulsions, and the ring being out of the vagina all day, per ring, per day of use with the 56-mm ring as the reference group and to compare scores on a novel 19-item acceptability scale with items related to ease and experience of use and impact on sex. Results: Of 24 women, 23 completed the study (median age: 26.7 years [standard deviation: 3.78]). Most were college graduates (92%), White (63%), non-Hispanic (79%), single (79%), and nulliparous (92%). At the end of the study, 59% preferred the smallest (46 mm) ring versus 18% each for the 56-mm and 66-mm rings (P=.0045). The proportion of participants who were adherent did not differ by ring (46 mm, 78%; 56 mm, 75%; 66 mm, 59%; P=.30); however, odds of expulsion were higher for the 46-mm (odds ratio: 5.72; 95% confidence interval: 1.25–26.1) and 66-mm (odds ratio: 25.9; 95% confidence interval: 6.11–109) rings than for the 56-mm ring. The 66-mm ring also had greater odds of being out (removal or expulsion, any length of time) than the 56-mm ring (odds ratio: 6.50; 95% confidence interval: 3.46–12.2). Mean acceptability scale scores were identical (4.54/5) for the 46-mm and 56-mm (smallest and medium) rings and significantly higher than for the largest, 66-mm ring (3.94/5; P\u3c.001). Conclusion: Although the 46-mm ring was preferred by more women and had higher rates of adherence compared to the other 2 rings, the 56-mm ring was rated as equally acceptable with significantly fewer reports of expulsions/removals compared to the other 2 rings. These data confirm that the current 54 to 58 mm diameter of vaginal rings on the market and in development is acceptable and performs well. Future studies should explore the effect of other mechanical attributes, such as compressibility, on preference, adherence, and acceptability, as well as investigating ring characteristics in other populations
Measuring abortion incidence, severity of complications, and health facilities’ capacity to provide abortion care in refugee settings in Ethiopia: Technical report
Full text linkHumanitarian crises disrupt essential services, making it difficult for people to access basic care, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. While data on SRH services in humanitarian settings is lacking, even less is known about how common abortion is or the severity of abortion-related complications in these settings. Using a modified application of the Abortion Incidence and Complications Methodology (AICM), this study aimed to estimate the incidence of induced abortion, determine the severity of abortion related complications, and assess the capacity of the health system to offer safe abortion and quality postabortion care among refugee women in 23 of all 24 refugee camps in Ethiopia
Multi-criteria assessment framework: Prioritising renewable energy-powered lift irrigation sites in Bhutan
Full text linkBhutan’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental conservation is deeply embedded in its national policies and vision for the future. Agriculture remains the backbone of Bhutan\u27s rural economy, and ensuring reliable irrigation is essential for enhancing agricultural productivity, improving livelihoods, and strengthening food security. However, given the challenging topography and climate variability, conventional irrigation systems are often inadequate, requiring innovative and sustainable solutions. Renewable energy (RE)-powered irrigation systems can play a key role in addressing these challenges. This Multi-Criteria Assessment (MCA) Framework has been developed to support the prioritisation and evaluation of RE-powered and conventional lift irrigation projects in Bhutan. It provides a structured, holistic, and evidence-based approach to evaluating and selecting sites based on technical feasibility, financial and economic viability, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. The framework will serve as a critical decision-making tool for policymakers, planners, and project implementers, ensuring that irrigation projects are not only efficient and effective but also gender-equitable and socially inclusive (GESI). The development of this framework has been a collaborative effort led by the Department of Energy, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, with support from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)