WHO Guidelines on Preventing Early Pregnancy and Poor Reproductive Outcomes Among Adolescents in Developing Countries

Este reporte hace una importante contribucion a nuestra comprension de la violencia y su impacto sobre las sociedades. Exhibe los diferentes rostros de la violencia, desde el sufrimiento "invisible" de los individuos mas vulnerables de la sociedad, a la notria tragedia de las sociedades en conflicto. El mismo mejora nuestro analisis de los factores que conducen a la violencia y las posibles respuestas de diferentes sectores de la sociedad. Al hacer esto, este documento nos recuerda que la proteccion y la seguridad no ocurren en forma espontanea, sino que son el resultado de un consenso colectivo y de politicas publicas dirigidas a tal fin.

The World Report on violence and health

Background 
Early adolescence (ages 10–14) is a period of increased expectations for boys and girls to adhere to socially constructed and often stereotypical norms that perpetuate gender inequalities. The endorsement of such gender norms is closely linked to poor adolescent sexual and reproductive and other health-related outcomes yet little is known about the factors that influence young adolescents’ personal gender attitudes.


Objectives 
To explore factors that shape gender attitudes in early adolescence across different cultural settings globally.


Methods 
A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted of the peer-reviewed literature in 12 databases from 1984–2014. Four reviewers screened the titles and abstracts of articles and reviewed full text articles in duplicate. Data extraction and quality assessments were conducted using standardized templates by study design. Thematic analysis was used to synthesize quantitative and qualitative data organized by the social-ecological framework (individual, interpersonal and community/societal-level factors influencing gender attitudes).


Results 
Eighty-two studies (46 quantitative, 31 qualitative, 5 mixed-methods) spanning 29 countries were included. Ninety percent of studies were from North America or Western Europe. The review findings indicate that young adolescents, across cultural settings, commonly express stereotypical or inequitable gender attitudes, and such attitudes appear to vary by individual sociodemographic characteristics (sex, race/ethnicity and immigration, social class, and age). Findings highlight that interpersonal influences (family and peers) are central influences on young adolescents’ construction of gender attitudes, and these gender socialization processes differ for boys and girls. The role of community factors (e.g. media) is less clear though there is some evidence that schools may reinforce stereotypical gender attitudes among young adolescents.


Conclusions 
The findings from this review suggest that young adolescents in different cultural settings commonly endorse norms that perpetuate gender inequalities, and that parents and peers are especially central in shaping such attitudes. Programs to promote equitable gender attitudes thus need to move beyond a focus on individuals to target their interpersonal relationships and wider social environments. Such programs need to start early and be tailored to the unique needs of sub-populations of boys and girls. Longitudinal studies, particularly from low-and middle-income countries, are needed to better understand how gender attitudes unfold in adolescence and to identify the key points for intervention.

/pdf/understanding-factors-that-shape-gender-attitudes-in-early-2xspbq4bwr.pdf

Understanding Factors that Shape Gender Attitudes in Early Adolescence Globally: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review.

Snowball sampling is a commonly employed sampling method in qualitative research; however, the diversity of samples generated via this method has repeatedly been questioned. Scholars have posited several anecdotally based recommendations for enhancing the diversity of snowball samples. In this study, we performed the first quantitative, medium-N analysis of snowball sampling to identify pathways to sample diversity, analysing 211 reach-outs conducted via snowball sampling, resulting in 81 interviews; these interviews were administered between April and August 2015 for a research project on anti-dam movements in Southeast Asia. Based upon this analysis, we were able to refine and enhance the previous recommendations (e.g., showcasing novel evidence on the value of multiple seeds or face-to-face interviews). This paper may thus be of particular interest to scholars employing or intending to employ snowball sampling.

/pdf/enhancing-the-sample-diversity-of-snowball-samples-4kzvi5ly4i.pdf

Enhancing the sample diversity of snowball samples: Recommendations from a research project on anti-dam movements in Southeast Asia

In surveys, individuals tend to misreport behaviors that are in contrast to prevalent social norms or regulations. Several design features of the survey procedure have been suggested to counteract this problem; particularly, computerized surveys are supposed to elicit more truthful responding. This assumption was tested in a meta-analysis of survey experiments reporting 460 effect sizes (total N =125,672). Self-reported prevalence rates of several sensitive behaviors for which motivated misreporting has been frequently observed were compared across self-administered paper-and-pencil versus computerized surveys. The results revealed that computerized surveys led to significantly more reporting of socially undesirable behaviors than comparable surveys administered on paper. This effect was strongest for highly sensitive behaviors and surveys administered individually to respondents. Moderator analyses did not identify interviewer effects or benefits of audio-enhanced computer surveys. The meta-analysis highlighted the advantages of computerized survey modes for the assessment of sensitive topics.

/pdf/disclosure-of-sensitive-behaviors-across-self-administered-3wyzbi1sz4.pdf

Disclosure of sensitive behaviors across self-administered survey modes: a meta-analysis

https://www.arca.fiocruz.br/bitstream/icict/6370/2/Adolescent%20health%20in%20the%2021st%20century.pdf

Adolescent health in the 21st century.

Gastric cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The objective of this article is to review the epidemiology and biology of gastric cancer risk. This literature review explores the biological, clinical, and environmental factors that influence the rates of this disease and discuss the different intervention methods that may not only increase the awareness of gastric cancer but also increase screening in efforts to reduce the risk of gastric cancer. Helicobacter pylori infection is the primary risk factor for gastric cancer. Additional risk factors include geographical location, age, sex, smoking, socioeconomic status, dietary intake, and genetics. Primary and secondary prevention strategies such as dietary modifications and screenings are important measures for reducing the risk of gastric cancer. Interventions, such as H. pylori eradication through chemoprevention trials, have shown some potential as a preventative strategy. Although knowledge about gastric cancer risk has greatly increased, future research is warranted on the differentiation of gastric cancer epidemiology by subsite and exploring the interactions between H. pylori infection, genetics, and environmental factors. Better understanding of these relationships can help researchers determine the most effective intervention strategies for reducing the risk of this disease.

Gastric cancer: epidemiology, biology, and prevention: a mini review.

https://paa2006.princeton.edu/papers/60559

A pilot of audio computer-assisted self-interview for youth reproductive health research in Vietnam

Despite rapidly increasing contraceptive use and rapidly declining fertility, unintended pregnancy and induced abortion remain common in Vietnam. This study reassesses the level of unintended pregnancy in Vietnam and its correlates, drawing on retrospective calendar data gathered for the Vietnam Demographic and Health Survey II. Data from 13,540 "segments" of outcomes and contraceptive practice were analyzed. Based on the calendar data, 40 percent of pregnancies during the 1994-97 period are estimated to have been unintended, a proportion 48 percent higher than the prevailing estimate calculated from the reported intendedness of live births. When concealment of pregnancies ending in induced abortions is taken into account, the unintended pregnancy rate in Vietnam is likely to approach levels found only in developing countries. Unintended pregnancy was found to be associated with age, early marriage, spousal age difference, number of living sons, past unintended pregnancy, geographic region, contraceptive use prior to pregnancy, and the family planning supply environment. The findings suggest that broadening the method mix at the community level, targeting high-risk and underserved groups, and expanding postabortion counseling and services are likely to have a dramatic impact on the unintended pregnancy rate in Vietnam.

Reassessing the level of unintended pregnancy and its correlates in Vietnam

Vietnam can be considered a success story in its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of April 27, 2020, the country has had 270 cases (225 recovered), no deaths, and no new cases for the past 10 days (since April 18). On Friday, April 24, two new cases were identified at the airport, but both cases were quarantined at arrival. We provide a few take-home lessons from the Vietnam experience. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print May 28, 2020: e1-e2. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2020.305751).

Linh Cu Le

Papers

Adolescent health in the 21st century.

Gastric cancer: epidemiology, biology, and prevention: a mini review.

A pilot of audio computer-assisted self-interview for youth reproductive health research in Vietnam

Reassessing the level of unintended pregnancy and its correlates in Vietnam

The COVID-19 Pandemic: A View From Vietnam.