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Gender and education evidence in Kenya
Get PDFThe Kenya Gender and Education Roadmap is a series of four evidence briefs designed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the gender and education landscape in Kenya. Drawing from a variety of key data sources, including the Population Council’s Evidence for Gender and Education Resource (EGER) Database, DHS and national-level datasets, and recent literature from East Africa the series provides data-driven insights into gender-related barriers to schooling, especially for girls. By combining needs assessments, current evidence, and practice-based research, the series sheds light on the alignments and gaps in Kenya’s efforts to achieve gender equity in education. This brief presents findings from a recent literature review of programs designed to address gender-related barriers to schooling for girls in East Africa, highlighting effective and promising approaches to address these barriers and offer cross-cutting recommendations for programs and policies in Kenya
Discussion of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections with sex partners of Nigerian men who have sex with men and transgender women: Implications for interventions to promote safer sex practices
No full textBackground: Discussion of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among sex partners facilitates risk reduction. We evaluated HIV/STI-related communications, including broad assessment of any self-reported discussion of the topic and specific discussion of each partners’ HIV status, among a historically marginalized and presently criminalized community of sexual and gender minorities (SGM) in Nigeria. Methods: From 2013-2018, we enrolled SGM aged 18+ in Lagos or 16+ in Abuja who reported anal sex with men. At enrollment and 3-, 9-, and 15-month follow-up visits, participants were asked about their sexual behaviors and communications with main sexual partners (MSP) and casual sexual partners (CSP). Questions included “have you talked with your [MSP/CSP] about sexually transmitted infections and HIV?” Multivariable robust Poisson regression with generalized estimating equations was used to estimate adjusted relative risks (aRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors potentially associated with HIV/STI-related communications with some or all of each type of sexual partner. Results: Among 2795 SGM enrolled with median age 23 years (interquartile range 20–27), questions about HIV/STI-related communications with MSP were answered by 2436 (87.2%) and with CSP by 2398 (85.9%). Communication with MSP was reported by 68.1% (1659/2436), of whom 897 (54.1%) discussed their own HIV status and 925 (55.8%) discussed their partner’s status. Communication with CSP was reported by 43.9% (1052/2398), of whom 389 (37.0%) discussed their own HIV status and 385 (36.6%) discussed their partner’s status. Among participants with both MSP and CSP, HIV/STI-related communication with MSP was more common among participants with higher than secondary education (aRR 1.40 [95%CI 1.24–1.58)], who were divorced/separated/widowed (aRR 1.19 [95% CI 1.06–1.33]), who discussed their HIV status with CSP (aRR 1.18 [95%CI 1.10–1.25]), discussed CSP’s HIV status (aRR 1.20 [95%CI 1.13–1.27]), and used a condom at last sex with CSP (aRR 1.16 [95%CI 1.08–1.25]). HIV/STI-related communication with CSP was more common among participants with higher than secondary education (aRR 1.36 [95%CI 1.12–1.66]); who were divorced/separated/widowed (aRR 1.38 [95%CI 1.13–1.69]), who discussed their HIV status with MSP (aRR 1.47 [95%CI 1.27–1.69]), who discussed CSP’s HIV status (aRR 1.22 [95%CI 1.06–1.40]) and used a condom at last sex with CSP (aRR 1.22 (95%CI 1.08–1.38]). Conclusion: HIV/STI-related communications with main and casual sex partners were both associated with safer sex with CSP. HIV prevention and treatment programs for SGM should promote open communications in sexual relationships and consider deployment of modern strategies to facilitate disclosure, especially in settings with criminalizing legislation
Dapivirine Levonorgestrel Vaginal Ring: A multipurpose prevention ring for HIV and contraceptive protection
Get PDFLeveraging our experience developing the monthly dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR or “PrEP ring”), which received a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency in 2020 for women’s HIV risk reduction, the Population Council is developing a 3-month multipurpose vaginal ring to help women protect against both HIV and unintended pregnancy. This ring is designed to slowly release the antiretroviral (ARV) drug, dapivirine and the contraceptive hormone, levonorgestrel
Current status of mannose receptor-targeted drug delivery for improved anti-HIV therapy
No full textIn the pursuit of achieving better therapeutic outcomes in the treatment of HIV, innovative drug delivery strategies have been extensively explored. Mannose receptors, which are primarily found on macrophages and dendritic cells, offer promising targets for drug delivery due to their involvement in HIV pathogenesis. This review article comprehensively evaluates recent drug delivery system advancements targeting the mannose receptor. We have systematically described recent developments in creating and utilizing drug delivery platforms, including nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, noisomes, dendrimers, and other nanocarrier systems targeted at the mannose receptor. These strategies aim to enhance drug delivery specificity, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy while decreasing off-target effects and systemic toxicity. Furthermore, the article delves into how mannose receptors and HIV interact, highlighting the potential for exploiting this interaction to enhance drug delivery to infected cells. The review covers essential topics, such as the rational design of nanocarriers for mannose receptor recognition, the impact of physicochemical properties on drug delivery performance, and how targeted delivery affects the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anti-HIV agents. The challenges of these novel strategies, including immunogenicity, stability, and scalability, and future research directions in this rapidly growing area are discussed. The knowledge synthesis presented in this review underscores the potential of mannose receptor-based targeted drug delivery as a promising avenue for advancing HIV treatment. By leveraging the unique properties of mannose receptors, researchers can design drug delivery systems that cater to individual needs, overcome existing limitations, and create more effective and patient-friendly treatments in the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS
What do we know about improving human capital fundamentals among adolescent girls in Africa?
No full textAfrica stands at a crossroads, with its future prosperity hinging on the policy and investment decisions it makes today. The continent has an opportunity to shape the trajectories of generations to come by investing in the success of a pivotal population: its adolescent girls. With over 145 million adolescent girls calling Africa home, the potential for transformative change is immense. Yet challenges persist: from high rates of child marriage to limited educational opportunities. Over half of African girls ages 15 to 19 are out of school or married or have children. How can African countries overcome these challenges to ensure that adolescent girls enter adulthood empowered to thrive? Pathways to Prosperity for Adolescent Girls in Africa, published by the World Bank, offers a groundbreaking road map for change
Girls and Boys Clubs Self-Administered Tool
Get PDFThis questionnaire was designed by the FGM Data Hub to be administered to girls and boys participating in the clubs implemented under FCDO-funded The Girl Generation – Support to the Africa-led Movement (TGG-ALM) to End FGM. The purpose was to generate data for tracking changes in knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, practices, and agency in relation to FGM and gender norms among girls and boys participating in the clubs, as well as the extent of their involvement in the programme
A Randomized, Phase 1, Open-Label Study in Healthy HIV-Negative Women to Evaluate the Pharmacokinetics, Safety and Bleeding Patterns Associated with 90-Day Use of Matrix Vaginal Rings Containing 200 mg Dapivirine and 320 mg
No full textThe International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM), which was acquired by the Population Council in 2022, is the developer of the dapivirine vaginal ring and a multipurpose prevention technology (MPT) vaginal ring containing dapivirine and levonorgestrel. Two Phase 1 trials, evaluating pharmacokinetics, safety, bleeding patterns, acceptability, adherence and the vaginal microenvironment of the dapivirine levonorgestrel ring were conducted at sites in the United States by the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN). These data sets support the bleeding and acceptability analyses from one of the clinical trials (MTN-044)
Webinar—Missing voices: Girls in the care economy
No full textAs part of the International Day of the Girl Child 2024’s theme “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” it was essential to consider how adolescent girls envision their role in the future care economy. The care economy, which includes both paid and unpaid care work, disproportionately burdens women and girls, yet current policies largely overlook the distinct experiences of adolescent girls.
On October 30, 2024, the Population Council’s GIRL Center hosted a conversation among people with lived experience, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers on the implications for girls’ engagement in the care economy and how best to integrate their distinct needs in programs and policies to support their visions for the future.
Speakers included: Dr. Annabel Erulkar, Population Council (Facilitator) Maïmouna Bah, Population Council (Presenter) Edith Murogo, Centre for Domestic Training and Development Winnie Nelima, Centre for Domestic Training and Development Amar Nijhawan, International Development Research Center Chiku Semfuko, International Labour Organization
The webinar was conducted in English with simultaneous interpretation in French and Spanish
Between worlds: Cis-and trans-identifying diaspora Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) women in Ontario, Canada on the intersections of gender, sexuality and sexual health
No full textYouth Sexual Health and HIV/STI Prevention in Middle Eastern and North African Communities (YSMENA) is the first community-based research study in Canada to explore key determinants of sexual health among diaspora Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) women living in Canada. Our objectives were to identify the factors influencing sexual health for MENA youth and grow an evidence base to strengthen the sexual health response for MENA communities. Using mixed- method design, data were gathered through a quantitative socio-demographic survey and qualitative focus groups with 24 women-identifying MENA youth (16–29 years) living in Ontario, Canada. Six (6) focus groups were held virtually via Zoom, with heterosexual, lesbian, bisexual and queer (LBQ), and trans women. Members of each group participated in two sessions as per the sequential critical dialogical method and transcripts were coded in NVIVO. While participants identified with diverse sexual orientations and across the trans-feminine gender spectrum, key commonalities surfaced, namely the pressures to conform to familial expectations and the barriers faced when accessing healthcare. The trans group experienced compounded levels of exclusion given their unique positioning. Although the challenges faced by the group were deeply entrenched in patriarchy, heteronormativity and internalized shame, many participants demonstrated resilience and self-acceptance that enabled them to forge pathways to health. Findings have important and valuable implications for community-based health programs targeting MENA women as well as healthcare practitioners and service providers
