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Network: Qualitative Research
Vol. 22, No. 2, 2002
The use of qualitative research to improve reproductive health is the focus of this issue of Network. Such research is guiding research and program design, complementing findings from quantitative studies, and exploring issues that have received little study.
Network: Reproductive
Life Stages
Vol. 22, No. 1, 2002
- Various stages of a woman’s reproductive life —
characterized by different priorities for contraception and
disease protection, as well as different needs for reproductive
health information — are highlighted in this issue of Network.
Adolescents, for example, need information about both abstinence
and the use of contraceptive methods. Women in their peak
childbearing years need to understand that contraceptive use
will not jeopardize their fertility, but that sexually
transmitted infections (STIs) can. Meanwhile, women approaching
menopause need to be aware of their continuing risks for
unplanned pregnancy and STI infection.
Network: Sexual
Health
Vol. 21, No. 4, 2002
- Sexuality, gender socialization,
partner communication, social relationships, and cultural norms
all influence sexual health, defined by the World Health
Organization as "integration of the physical, emotional,
intellectual, and social aspects of sexual being in ways that
are enriching and that enhance personality, communication, and
love." The current issue of Network seeks to increase
awareness of these important and often overlooked dynamics, and
to help readers identify social and programmatic barriers to
optimal sexual health. A special package of articles in the
issue also clarifies the complex relationship between
contraception and induced abortion, citing evidence that
increased use of effective contraception leads to declines in
induced abortion rates.
Network: Improving
Reproductive Health Services
Vol. 21, No. 3, 2002
- Throughout the world, many women are denied contraceptive
methods due to health concerns that — in fact — have no
scientific basis. Youth continue to face various reproductive
health dangers, many of which are tied to behaviors related to
sexuality. Meanwhile, reproductive health programs in developing
countries struggle to provide quality care with limited
resources. However, various initiatives, tools, and research are
addressing these ongoing problems, according to the current
issue of Network.
Network: Ethics
and Reproductive Health
Vol. 21, No. 2, 2001
- An essential element of good reproductive
health research, as well as service delivery, is that it be
performed in an ethical manner. This issue of Network covers the
evolution of basic ethical principles, ethical dilemmas that
service providers regularly face, distinctions between informed
choice and informed consent, and emerging reproductive health
technologies that raise ethical concerns.
Network: Emergency
Contraceptive Pills
Vol. 21, No. 1, 2001
- Emergency contraceptive pills can prevent pregnancy after
unprotected intercourse, method failure, or incorrect method
use. This issue of Network includes an overview of emergency
contraception: how it works, when it should be used, proper
dosage, effectiveness, safety, and side effects. Other articles
discuss efforts to improve emergency contraception, why many
women needing the method do not use it, and ways to increase
access. Also explored in the issue is the feasibility of HIV
treatment shortly after being exposed to HIV (postexposure
prophylaxis).
Network: Family
Planning and STIs
Vol. 20, No. 4, 2001
- Many family planning clients need services related to sexually
transmitted infections (STIs). This issue of Network includes an
article about ways to provide dual protection, against both
pregnancy and STIs. Other articles address the needs of
HIV-positive women, ways to reach youth and men, and a
contraceptive method table that compares each method's ability
to protect against STIs.
Network: Adolescent
Reproductive Health
Vol. 20, No. 3, 2000
- Sex education and other services for young adults help reduce
their risks of an unplanned pregnancy or infection from a
sexually transmitted disease. The issue includes examples of
programs for adolescents in Jamaica, Mali, Uganda, Zambia,
Egypt, South Africa and India.
Network: Female
Barrier Methods
Vol. 20, No. 2, 2000
- Female barrier methods include the diaphragm, female condom
and spermicides. A number of experimental devices and
microbicidal products are under development. In general, female
barrier methods are not as effective in preventing pregnancy as
other modern methods, but provide a degree of protection against
sexually transmitted diseases. Correct and consistent use of the
male latex condom offers the best barrier protection against
infections.
Network:
Intrauterine Devices
Vol. 20, No. 1, 2000
- Today's intrauterine devices (IUDs) offer safe and reversible
long-term contraception, requiring little effort on the part of
users once they are inserted. However, while popular in some
countries, IUDs are not widely used in other countries because
of reluctance among users and health providers, or a lack of
supplies and trained staff.
Network:
New Contraceptive Users
Vol. 19, No. 4, Summer 1999
- First-time contraceptive users are a diverse group that includes
young adults who have recently become sexually active and older
couples who initiate use after the births of their children.
Network:
Community-based Distribution
Vol. 19, No. 3, Spring 1999
- Community-based distribution programs take contraceptive methods to people where they
live, rather than requiring people to visit clinics or other locations for services.
Articles examine recent research involving programmatic issues and profile services,
highlighting Peru, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
Network: Contraception and Chronic Conditions
Vol. 19, No. 2, Winter 1999
- Major chronic diseases or conditions affect many people worldwide, and have important
implications for making contraceptive choices. A chart
summarizes how specific chronic diseases influence method choice.
Network: Improving Service Quality
Vol. 19, No. 1, Fall 1998
Ways to improve the quality of family planning services include better staff training
and client counseling, as well as offering clients a range of methods from which to
choose. Also in this issue of Network, a contraceptive update reviews how different
methods affect menstrual bleeding, an important consideration when selecting a method.
Network:
Family Planning and Women's Lives
Vol. 18, No. 4, Summer 1998
- Family planning use affects women's lives in many ways, including their opportunities
for paid employment or a better education, their sense of self-esteem, and a variety of
other "quality of life" concerns. This issue of Network reports research
findings from FHI's Women's Studies Project in 10 developing countries, which sought a
better understanding of how contraceptive use or non-use influenced women's lives.
Network: Men and Reproductive Health
Vol. 18, No. 3, Spring 1998
Encouraging male responsibility for family planning requires services that protect the
reproductive health of both men and women. Articles discuss male responsibility for
reproductive health, men's reproductive health risks, surveys from developing countries
that suggest a strong interest in family planning among men, and topics involving existing
and experimental male contraceptives.
Network: Evaluating Family Planning Costs
Vol. 18, No. 2, Winter 1998
- Because financial resources are limited, those who manage family planning services must
often face difficult choices about competing priorities. Decisions about the use of
resources require careful comparison of costs for each service, and those costs may be
influenced by a variety of factors. Articles discuss the use of client fees, the role of
private-sector services, ways to reduce costs and the integration of family planning
services with related health-care programs, such as prevention of sexually transmitted
diseases.
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