scholarly journals Gender Differences in Psychosocial Predictors of Sexual Activity and HIV Testing Among Youth in Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiffany Chenneville ◽  
Hunter Drake
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Hiv Risk ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Psychosocial Variables ◽  
Self Employment

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) carries a disproportionate burden of HIV in the world relative to its population. Youth are at particular risk. Understanding HIV risk factors, as well as factors affecting HIV testing among SSA youth, is important given that HIV testing, linkage to care, and viral suppression are part of the global strategy to end HIV. Because young women face disparate sexual and reproductive health outcomes, exploring gender differences related to HIV risk, and testing is vital. Using existing program evaluation data from a larger project, the purpose of this study was to explore gender differences related to sexual activity and HIV testing among youth in SSA. Participant data from 581 youth ages 13–24 in Kenya was analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of covariance, and binomial logistic regression. Findings revealed that young men were more likely to report sexual activity than young women. Age was a predictor of sexual activity for all youth. However, among psychosocial variables, depression predicted sexual activity for young women while stress predicted sexual activity for young men. Although there were no gender differences in HIV testing after controlling for demographic and psychosocial variables, there were some differences between young women and young men with regard to predictors of HIV testing. Age and full-time self-employment predicted HIV testing among young women, while part-time self-employment, education, and substance abuse risk predicted HIV testing among young men. Findings suggest a need for gender and youth friendly strategies for addressing the HIV treatment cascade and care continuum.

scholarly journals Exploring contraception myths and misconceptions among young men and women in Kwale County, Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson Mwaisaka ◽  
Lianne Gonsalves ◽  
Mary Thiongo ◽  
Michael Waithaka ◽  
Hellen Sidha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Women ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Modern Contraceptive ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Modern Contraception ◽  
Contraceptive Knowledge ◽  
Future Fertility ◽  
Contraceptive Uptake

Abstract Background Myths and misconceptions around modern contraceptives have been associated with low contraceptive uptake in sub-Saharan Africa and Kenya in particular. Addressing persistent contraceptive knowledge gaps can make a significant contribution towards improved contraceptive uptake among young women. This qualitative study therefore sought to explore and understand young people’s knowledge of modern contraception and to identify their key concerns regarding these methods. Methods We used focus group discussions (FGD) with vignette and writing activities to explore key myths and misconceptions around the use of contraceptives. Six FGDs (three for young men and three for young women) were conducted with a total of 28 young women and 30 young men from Kwale County, Kenya. We included 10 discussants aged 18–24 per FGD, one FGD had 8 participants. Predefined codes reflecting the discussion guides and emerging issues in the FGDs were used to develop the thematic coding framework. Our analysis followed a pattern of association on the key preset themes focusing on myths and misconceptions around contraceptive use. Results Results are presented under four key themes: awareness of contraception, myths and misconceptions around contraception, males’ contraceptive narratives and young people’s preferred sources of contraceptives. Both men and women participants reported basic awareness of contraceptives. A mixture of biological and social misconceptions were discussed and included perceptions that modern contraception: jeopardized future fertility, could result in problems conceiving or birth defects, made women promiscuous, was ‘un-African’, and would deny couples their sexual freedom. Compared to female respondents in the study, young men appeared to be strong believers of the perceived socio-cultural effects of contraceptives. On preferred sources of contraceptives, respondents reported on two main sources, pharmacies and public hospitals, however, they could not agree on which one was suitable for them. Conclusions This study revealed the presence of a mixture of biological and social myths and misconceptions around contraception, with young men also strongly adhering to these misconceptions. The low level of contraceptive knowledge, particularly on contraceptive fears as revealed by the study demonstrate critical gaps in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge among young people. Improved SRH literacy to address contraceptives’ fears through appropriate and gender specific interventions to reach out to young men and women with factual SRH information may therefore contribute to increased uptake of SRH services including modern contraceptive methods.

Elevated Incidence of a Sensed Presence and Sexual Arousal during Partial Sensory Deprivation and Sensitivity to Hypnosis: Implications for Hemisphericity and Gender Differences

1994 ◽  
Vol 79 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1527-1531 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. G. Tiller ◽  
M. A. Persinger
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Sexual Arousal ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Sensory Deprivation ◽  
Young Men ◽  
And Gender

As predicted by the vectorial cerebral hemisphericity hypothesis, 24 normal young women reported significantly more experiences of a “presence” than did 24 normal young men within a setting that emphasized hypnosis and partial sensory deprivation. The incidence of these experiences was positively correlated with scores on Spiegel's Hypnosis Induction Profile, while the attribution of the chamber experiences to ego-alien sources was correlated with the magnitude of (Vingiano's) right hemisphericity for the women only. Both sexes exhibited a significant association between the experience of a presence and sexual arousal.

scholarly journals Trends in and predictors of pregnancy termination among young women in Nigeria: a multi-level analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys 2003-2018

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franklin I Onukwugha ◽  
Monica Magdi ◽  
Ahmed Sarki ◽  
Lesley Smith
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Health Surveys ◽  
Pregnancy Termination ◽  
Married Women ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Contraceptive Prevalence ◽  
In Pregnancy

Abstract Background Three-quarters of pregnancy terminations in Africa are carried out in unsafe conditions. Unsafe abortion is the leading cause of maternal mortality among young women in Sub-Saharan Africa. Greater understanding of the wider determinants of pregnancy termination in this age group could inform the design and development of interventions to mitigate the harm. Previous research has described the trends in and factors associated with termination of pregnancy for women of reproductive age in Nigeria. However, the wider determinants of pregnancy termination have not been ascertained, and data for all women have been aggregated which may obscure differences by age groups. Therefore, we examined the trends in and individual and contextual-level predictors of pregnancy termination among young women aged 15–24 years in Nigeria. Methods We analysed data from the 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018 Nigerian Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS) comprising 45,793 women aged 15–24 years. Trends in pregnancy termination across the four survey datasets were examined using bivariate analysis. Individual and contextual predictors of pregnancy termination were analysed using a three-level binary logistic regression analysis. Results Trends in pregnancy termination declined from 5.8% in 2003 to 4.2% in 2013 then reversed to 4.9% in 2018. The declining trend was greater for women with higher socioeconomic status. Around 17% of the total variation in pregnancy termination was attributable to community factors, and 7% to state-level factors. Of all contextual variables considered, only contraceptive prevalence (proxy for RH service access by young women) at community level was significant. Living in communities with higher contraceptive prevalence increased odds of termination compared with communities with lower contraceptive prevalence (aOR = 4.2; 95% CI 2.7–6.6). At the individual-level, sexual activity before age 15 increased odds of termination (aOR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.9–2.8) compared with women who initiated sexual activity at age 18 years or older, and married women had increased odds compared with never married women (aOR = 3.0; 95% CI 2.5–3.7). Conclusion Our findings highlight the importance of disaggregating data for women across the reproductive lifecourse, and indicates where tailored interventions could be targeted to address factors associated with pregnancy termination among young women in Nigeria.

scholarly journals Hearing from men in Eswatini: Shifts in HIV risk and service uptake—Findings from DREAMS implementation science research

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Implementation Science ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Hiv Risk ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Hiv Infections ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Engaging Men ◽  
Sub Saharan

HIV prevention efforts across sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly focused on engaging men, for their own health and that of their partners and families. We examined whether and how HIV risk and protective factors are changing among men in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)—a country with a substantial HIV burden. The study is part of the Population Council’s implementation science research portfolio on the DREAMS Partnership1, a large-scale initiative to reduce new HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and their partners.

Gender Differences in Expectations of Self and Future Partner

1992 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
LAWRENCE H. GANONG ◽  
MARILYN COLEMAN
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Intimate Relationships ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Single Female ◽  
Marital Partner ◽  
Educational Achievements ◽  
Male College ◽  
Personal Success

The expectations that 131 single female and 103 male college students had for themselves and their future marital partners were investigated using a combination of open-ended items and Likert-type scales. Although the students did not differ on expectations for personal success, they did differ on expectations for the success of their future marital partner. Young women expected more success for their future husbands than young men expected for their future wives. In addition, women expected their future husbands to make significantly more money and have higher educational achievements, and to be more intelligent, more successful, and better able to handle things than themselves. The implications of these findings for intimate relationships are discussed.

scholarly journals Gender Differences in Russia’s Job Mobility and Its Rewards

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Privalko
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Young Women ◽  
High Mobility ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Job Characteristics ◽  
Job Mobility ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Life Chances ◽  
And Gender

This article considers age and gender differences in the probability and consequences of job mobility; specifically firm exits and promotions in Russia. Russia's labour market should have high rates of job mobility, but we will show using IMF figures that the rate between 2011 and 2015 is on par with the 1980's. Beyond this, little is known about who is mobile and whether mobility has any impact on wages once the characteristics of movers are controlled for. In other words, we will ask whether job mobility is a sorting mechanism, or whether it has premiums in pay in and of itself. Results show a gender difference in the likelihood of firm exit but not in the likelihood of promotion. When several personal and job characteristics are held constant, young men and women have similar odds of promotion. However, promotions have a positive effect only on the wages of young women; young men's wages are not affected. On the topic of firm exits, when several personal and job characteristics are held constant, exit is more common among young men when compared to young women; this is also true of middle aged men and women. Further, young men see a significant decrease in wages following an exit, while young women are not affected by exit. These results are flipped for middle aged workers; middle aged men see no change in wages following an exit, but middle aged women see significant declines in wages following an exit. Using these results, the article shows that the early stages of a respondent's career are marked by periods of high mobility, which is similar to the experience of young workers in other countries. After this period, mobility becomes increasingly unlikely. Part of this result could stem from the premiums tied to promotion. Results help to understand processes of inequality in wages and conditions that occur due to sorting, and the importance of promotions (internal job changes with the same employer) as 'life chances' which improve earnings in the immediate sense. Gender differences in securing these life chances help to understand wider gender gaps in earnings, which emerge later.

scholarly journals Integrated Care Delivery for HIV Prevention and Treatment in Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Zambia: Protocol for a Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/15314 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e15314
Author(s):  
Sujha Subramanian ◽  
Patrick Edwards ◽  
Sarah T Roberts ◽  
Maurice Musheke ◽  
Michael Mbizvo
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
Depth Interviews

Background Among countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Zambia has one of the highest incidences of HIV. Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) are a particularly affected group because of their social and economic vulnerability. Objective The goal of this study is to test a multilevel package of interventions at the community and health system levels in Zambia in order to connect AGYW with a source of regular care, which will in turn allow for sustainable, successful implementation of regular HIV testing and adherence to antiretroviral treatment. Methods We will adapt prior tools to create the SHIELD (Support for HIV Integrated Education, Linkages to Care, and Destigmatization) intervention to educate and empower Zambian AGYW of 10-24 years of age and their families and to create community-based youth clubs to foster peer support. We will also develop integrated wellness care clinics to offer a youth-friendly environment that provides tailored clinical services. We will perform formative research, including focus groups and in-depth interviews, among AGYW, caregivers, and stakeholders to help inform the development and tailoring of the interventions. A cluster-randomized controlled trial will be implemented in Lusaka, with six clinic catchment areas randomized into three groups: zones with integrated wellness care clinics and SHIELD intervention, zones with only SHIELD intervention, and control zones with no intervention. We will assess HIV testing among the HIV-negative or unknown (HIV-/u) cohort, and retention in care along with viral load suppression will be evaluated in the HIV-positive (HIV+) cohort. We will use in-depth interviews and surveys to collect staff and stakeholder feedback after the trial. Cost-effectiveness of the interventions and return-on-investment impacts will be quantified using a microsimulation model. Results Interim results are expected in 2021, and the final results are expected in 2022. If this multilevel intervention is successful in establishing a comprehensive care continuum for HIV-affected AGYW, the Zambian Ministry of Health may advocate for expansion to additional settings to support national scale-up. Conclusions This integrated service delivery model can also be a platform to implement additional preventive services, so HIV-/u and HIV+ AGYW can receive comprehensive, integrated services. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03995953; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03995953 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/15314

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