Abstinence only - What are they teaching????

Reports and ResearchUnion of Concerned Scientists Page Last Revised: 12/08/06

Federally funded abstinence-only programs use curricula that contain "false, misleading or distorted information about reproductive health," according to a 2004 congressional study prepared for Representative Henry A. Waxman (D-CA).¹ Abstinence-only (or abstinence-only-until-marriage) classes teach teenagers only about abstinence and not about any other ways of protecting themselves against sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.Federal support for abstinence-only education programs has increased steadily under the Bush administration, rising from $80 million in fiscal year 2001 to $167 million in fiscal year 2005.² The Waxman study says that support for abstinence-only programs has risen despite the fact that rigorous academic studies have found them to be ineffective.For example, while abstinence-only classes encourage young people to take a pledge that they will remain virgins until marriage, the Waxman study cites research that indicates "virginity pledgers" are no less likely to engage in premarital sex than their peers. Pledgers have rates of sexually transmitted diseases similar to other teens, and are less likely to use contraception in the event that they do engage in sexual intercourse.³ The Bush administration distorted science-based performance measures when testing whether abstinence-only programs were proving effective. The administration insisted that the Centers for Disease Control, the federal agency sponsoring abstinence education, measure success by the participation rates and attitudes of teens attending the programs,4 not the pregnancy rates of those teens, as had been the previous standard.5 In addition to being ineffective at deterring teen pregnancy and disease, the Waxman study reports that federally-funded abstinence-only programs teach children false scientific information. "Eleven of the thirteen curricula most commonly used by [federally funded abstinence-only programs] contain major errors and distortions of public health information," says the study.6 Some of the misinformation suggests poor research and editing by curricula authors. For example, one curriculum explains that "twenty-four chromosomes from the mother and twenty-four chromosomes from the father join to create this new individual;" the actual number is twenty-three.7 Most of the errors, however, appear to stem from an ideological effort to scare young people about sex, contraception, and abortion. The treatment of condoms is one example. The U. S. Center for Disease Control has found that "latex condoms provide an essentially impermeable barrier to particles the size of STD pathogens."8 Still, one abstinence curriculum sought to cast doubt on the trustworthiness of condoms:Think on a microscopic level. Sperm cells, STI organisms, and HIV cannot be seen with the naked eye-you need a microscope. Any imperfections in the contraceptive not visible to the eye, could allow sperm, STI, or HIV to pass through. . . . The size difference between a sperm cell and the HIV virus can be roughly related to the difference between the size of a football field and a football.9 The curriculum goes on to falsely state that "the actual ability of condoms to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS, even if the product is intact, is definitely not known."Another curriculum says "the typical failure rate for the male condom is 14 percent in preventing pregnancy."10 This statement is a distortion of the fact that given typical use, couples have a 15 percent chance of experiencing a condom failure over the course of a year; the failure rate falls to 2-3 percent with perfect condom use.11 Abstinence-only education programs also contain misinformation about abortions. "Sterility: Studies show that five to ten percent of women will never again be pregnant after having a legal abortion," one curriculum says.12 In actuality, as obstetricians are taught, an elective abortion does not alter fertility.13 Sadly, this pseudo science is fed to the young people most in need of correct, factual information regarding important life decisions. The Waxman study highlights the necessity for more government oversight to ensure that federally funded education programs teach scientific fact, not falsehood.

If you want to follow up more go here

HUGE NUMBERS OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY

ACCORDING TO A RECENT STUDY ABOUT 1 IN 16 TEENAGERS THAT HAVE HAD SEX HAVE EXPERIENCED A PREGNANCY (Click HERE to read the article)

HIV/AIDS time for an update

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HIV/AIDS?

What do you know about the world HIV/AIDS epidemic? . Did you know that Aids is the fourth largest cause of death in THE WORLD? Did you know that HIV/AIDS is on the rise again??? Did you know that Britain had the largest increase in new HIV cases in Europe this year?Pretty scarey!

In this post there are 4 abstracts from journals discussing different aspects of HIV/AIDS. If you find one of these abstracts interesting just go to and order the article.

Here they are:

"UK has now one of fastest growing HIV epidemics in Europe"
Location:
AA VERTICAL FILE - GLOBAL EPIDEMIC - GE 24
Publication Type:
ARTICLE (ONLINE)
by Alcorn, Keith
AIDSMAP.COM

Volume: Issue: Day: Month: November, Year: 2006 Page numbers:
Subjects:
1. GLOBAL EPIDEMIC 2. EUROPE 3. GREAT BRITAIN
Abstract:
The United Kingdom had one of the highest rates of new HIV diagnoses in Europe
last year, outstripped only by Portugal, Ukraine, Estonia and Russia, according to
a report from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control published
this week in Eurosurveillance Weekly. Figures compiled from HIV surveillance
programmes showed that the UK had 148 new HIV diagnoses per million
inhabitants in 2005, compared with 30 per million in Germany, 99 per million in
France and 100 per million in Switzerland.

"Living with HIV and migration : issues for HIV-positive people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds"
Location:
AA VERTICAL FILE - MULTICULTURAL GROUPS - MG 24
Publication Type:
JOURNAL ARTICLE
by Korner, Henrike
TALKABOUT PLWHA NSW
Volume: 147 Issue: Day: Month: October - November Year: 2006 Page numbers:
pp 10-11
Subjects:
1. HIV POSITIVE PEOPLE 2. MIGRATION 3. HIV TESTING 4. HIV TESTINGCOUNSELLING
5. CULTURAL ASPECTS
Abstract:
Migrating to a new country and living with HIV are each major life-changing
events. People who need to cope with both, face some formidable challenges.
This article reports on the interrelationship between living with HIV and resettling
in a new country, and the impact of the Australian migration system on both.

"Barebacking websites: electronic environments for reducing or inducing HIV risk"
Location:
AA VERTICAL FILE - SAFER SEX & RISK BEHAVIOURS - SS 36
Publication Type:
JOURNAL ARTICLE
by Grov, C.
AIDS CARE
Volume: 18 Issue: 8 Day: Month: November Year: 2006 Page numbers: pp 990-
997
Subjects:
1. ANAL SEX 2. MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN 3. RISK BEHAVIOUR
4. INTERNET
Abstract:
Barebacking, or intentional unprotected anal intercourse (UAI), among men who
have sex with men (MSM) has been a growing concern for the public health
community because of UAIs link to HIV incidence and sexually transmitted
infections (STIs). Men who bareback have created online spaces through websites
that host thousands of profiles throughout the US and world. Adapting two
domains from person-environment theory, this study contrasted the health
messages surrounding the risks of UAI within two mainstream US-based
barebacking websites. One website developed intensive systems to promote harm
reduction, such as encouraging frequent HIV-testing, discussing STIs with
partners, and limiting the number of partners. In contrast, the other site analysed
negated the seriousness of HIV and STIs, which can have clear negative
outcomes for patrons whom relied on this information. This analysis implicates
the need to explore electronic environments as viable tools for HIV prevention
and programme development.
ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR

"Gonorrhoea found more frequently in the throat than any other site in gay men"
Location:
AA VERTICAL FILE - SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES - STD 24
Publication Type:
ARTICLE (ONLINE)
by Carter, Michael
AIDSMAP.COM
Volume: Issue: Day: Month: October Year: 2006 Page numbers: Available online
at
http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/0E0E7294-9752-4ABE-B342-
EE233557287C.asp
Subjects:
1. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS 2. GONORRHEA 3. GAY MEN 4. MEN
WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN
Abstract:
Gay men should have regular throat swabs to check for infection with
gonorrhoea, American investigators emphasise after a study conducted in San
Francisco found that 6% of gay men had the sexually transmitted infection in
their throat, usually without any symptoms. The study, which is published in the
November 15th edition of Clinical Infectious Diseases also found that the throat
was the most common site for gonorrhoea infection in gay men and that younger
age and a greater number of oral sex partners were significantly associated with
gonorrhoea of the throat.

"Woman to Woman: Coming Together for Positive Change--using empowerment and popular education to prevent HIV in women"
Location:
AA VERTICAL FILE - WOMEN - WOM 58
Publication Type:
JOURNAL ARTICLE
by Romero, Lisa et al
AIDS EDUCATION AND PREVENTION
Volume: 18 Issue: 5 Day: Month: Year: 2006 Page numbers: pp 390-405
Subjects:
1. WOMEN 2. WOMEN-EDUCATION 3. WOMEN-RISK BEHAVIOUR 4. GENDER
ROLES
Abstract:
HIV risk is the product of social, cultural, economic, and interpersonal forces that
create sex-role definitions and expectations that can lead to gender inequalities in
health. Woman to Woman: Coming Together for Positive Change is an HIV/AIDS
prevention intervention that takes into account that choices and actions may be
constrained by poverty, gender roles, and cultural norms. This project educates
and empowers, promotes women's perspectives, reaches women "where they
are," and encourages women to speak of their experience. The following study
presents the evaluation of the effectiveness of an empowerment basedparticipatory HIV prevention program over a 3-year period, implemented in both
rural and urban settings in New Mexico, targeting over 300 women at-risk of
HIV/AIDS. In addition, the practicalities of conducting participatory process and
outcome evaluation with a small nonprofit with minimal budget will be discussed.

Youth In A Global World

In today’s world, “growing up” is not what it
used to be. The lives of youth today present a
wide range of educational, family, employment,
and health experiences that depart in major
ways from those of youth one or two generations
ago. These different experiences can be attributed
to the effects of globalization, technological
advances, and widespread economic development.
There are more youth (also referred to as
“young people” in this brief ) in the world now
than ever before, and they are concentrated in
developing countries. Youth spend a longer time in
school, begin work at a later age, and get married
and have children later than their counterparts did
20 years ago. They are also less likely to live in
poverty, unless they are growing up in sub-Saharan
Africa, or parts of Eastern Europe or Central Asia.
While in many ways the lives of young people are
more complex and challenging than ever, in most
countries they are also more varied, full of opportunity,
and more secure than in the past. In general,
modern youth spend longer preparing for adulthood
than their parents. However, the transition to
adulthood is also laden with risks and challenges,

To read more on this click on youth in a global world: This eight-page brief describes what it's like to grow up in today's world, with a special focus on four major experiences in people’s lives: schooling, health, marriage, and childbearing. It highlights changes, cites trends, and suggests ways policies and programs could further improve the lives of youth.

Male Pill Still So Far Away

Here is an article that may interest people about the male pill

and another one about 'pronto condoms'

and yet another on 'robotripping' which is getting off on cough medicines. I am wondering how prevelent this is in Australia and if anybody has anecdotal evidence of this.

Youth Reproductive Health Course

There is an interesting e-course online hosted by the Global Health Learning Centre.
Have a look. If you complete the course (about 90 min) you get a certificate. Some interesting facts re young people and HIV/sexual health in developing countries.

Christmas is coming!

BOOKS OF INTEREST


Two books that you may find interesting which you can get through the SHineSA library are the 'Quartely essay' issue 22 2006 - Voting for Jesus, Christianity and Politics in Australia and "The Male in the Head" young people, heterosexuality and power.




The first of these: 'Quarterly Essay" says this on the back cover.
" From the Hillsong Church to the Family First party, Australia appears to be experiencing an evangelical revival. In the second 'Quarterly Essay' for 2006, Amanda Lohery investigates that revival - its shape and scope, and what it means for the mainsttream churches and the nations politics. She talks to young believers and analyses the machinations of the Christian Right. She discusses with humour and insight, the appeal of the megachurch, the changing image of jesus and the political theories of Geaorge Pell and Peter Jensen

Voting for Jesus is also an essay about the use and abuse of religion in party politics."

I found this book to be easy reading entertaining and definately thought provoking. If you want to know what young believers think about, abortion, same sex attractedness and other issues this is definately worth a read.


The other book 'The Male in the Head' by Janet Holland, Caroline Ramazanoglu, Sue Sharpe and Rachel Thomson covers a discussion about social construction of sexuality. In particular sex, gender and power - and the gendering of sexual knowledge and "the collusion of young women with thier sexual partners in a reproduction of multilayered male power."

This is a fantastic book for anyone interested in gender, power and the roles our young people adopt.



PODCASTS

In addition you may wish to hear what young people have to say about sexuality, sexual health issues and thier thoughts re life. If so go to the SHineSA youth podcast and listen to them yourself through your windows media player. There are plenty of other topics to hear in the podcast as well.
Listen here for an example

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SE&X COURSE

AND - DONT FORGET The 2007 SE&X courses are taking bookings now. Below are 2 SE&Xers from 2006. One of the podcast recordings has them talking about their thoughts re the course.

2006 participants