ABSTRACT
People's knowledge and perceptions about AIDS are critical in efforts to combat the further spread of this disease. Using data from a study on "Determinants and Consequences of Contraceptive Use Patterns in Thailand", this paper investigates the knowledge and perceptions about AIDS among ever-married women in Bangkok Metropolis. Differentials in knowledge and perceptions are investigated by socio-economic subgroups. The results indicate the need to inform and educate people about AIDS, especially those in low-income groups or with lower levels of education.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/transmission , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/epidemiology , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/prevention & control , Adult , Contraceptive Devices, Male/statistics & numerical data , Female , Humans , Marriage/statistics & numerical data , Risk Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Thailand/epidemiologyABSTRACT
PIP: Condoms have been used since the 16th century as a prophylactic agent against sexually transmitted diseases. With regards to family planning, condoms are used for spacing and prevention of pregnancy. However, after the invention of more reliable contraceptives, condoms lost their popularity as a contraceptive agent, only to regain it in the wake of the AIDS epidemic. The main concern in using condoms has always been the high failure rate, which tends to be a complicated issue given that it's efficacy is affected by the motivation and characteristic of the user. Irrespective of the numerous advantages of the condom, at present there is little incentive to use them on a routine basis. Reasons for this objection include the fact that condoms not only interfere with sex, but are unnatural and leave the man very unsatisfied. Promoting condoms in developing countries is both a cultural and political issue, stemming from the misleading preconception of the man's role in family planning. For instance, condoms are infamous for their use in illicit sex, and as such cannot be used on a relatively respectable individual. The challenge in condom promotion is the creation of a new image based on family planning, reliability aspects of condoms, noninterference with pleasure concept and the added value of protection against STD's.^ieng
Subject(s)
Advertising , Attitude , Communication , Condoms , Developing Countries , HIV Infections , Health Services Needs and Demand , Patient Acceptance of Health Care , Philosophy , Psychology , Behavior , Contraception , Contraception Behavior , Disease , Economics , Family Planning Services , Marketing of Health Services , Organization and Administration , Social Behavior , Virus DiseasesABSTRACT
Because of the importance of contraceptive behaviour in most societies today a better understanding is needed of the social and behavioural factors affecting contraceptive decisions and choices of individuals and couples. This paper examines the need for longitudinal, theoretically-based studies of contraceptive use dynamics, including the timing, duration and interaction of reproductive events which may be more important than contraceptive technology in the social, cultural and economic context of fertility control. New research methods and appropriate analysis of data are relevant. Consideration of the social context is essential for the formulation and implementation of effective policies relating to the provision of contraceptive services.
Subject(s)
Choice Behavior , Contraception Behavior/psychology , Decision Making , Research/standards , Contraception Behavior/statistics & numerical data , Research/trends , Research DesignABSTRACT
The author reports on a seminar on the application of demographic knowledge to population policy in Latin America. "In the absence of reliable empirical evidence, the actual objective of the seminar became an exploration, with Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Bolivia as case studies, of questions such as: what applications, what knowledge, what relationships, what emphases, what transmission mechanisms, what communication channels, what investment by public and private agencies are needed to respond to the demand--actual and potential--for demographic knowledge for policy purposes." The seminar brought together not only academics, but parliamentarians, members of international agencies, and other professionals concerned with population issues. The focus of the discussion was on ways and means of improving existing flows of information and of expanding knowledge available for policy purposes.
Subject(s)
Communication , Congresses as Topic , Demography , Government , Information Services , Organization and Administration , Private Sector , Public Policy , Americas , Bolivia , Brazil , Central America , Developed Countries , Developing Countries , Economics , Latin America , Mexico , North America , Peru , Politics , Population , South AmericaABSTRACT
The structure of a computerized mathematical model for resource allocation in population programs (REALPOP) and its application to the Dominican Republic's national family planning program are described. The model integrates demographic and management science approaches in the analysis of resource allocation, program planning, goal evaluation, and growth strategies of a family planning program. It is designed primarily to aid administrative decision-makers. The Dominican National Population and Family Council (NPFC) established a goal of reducing the crude birth rate from its 1968 level of 48 per thousand population to 28 per thousand in 15 years. Further, the program has established a clear set of program plans and alternatives. This study investigates the implication of these plans for the program's stated goals.