Epidemiology
What Factors Affect the Prevalence of HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Population Council researchers participated along with several other investigators in a recent study on HIV. The findings of the investigation, known as the multicentre study of factors determining the different prevalences of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, were presented in a special supplement to the journal AIDS. The research findings indicate that changes in HIV-prevention policy are urgently needed.
Urban Studies
Public Services Found Lacking in Many Developing-country Cities
Population Council demographers recently completed a comprehensive examination of the availability of basic public services in cities and town of developing countries around the world. Using data from the Demographic and Health Surveys of 43 countries, they discovered striking differences in the distribution of these basic services. Moreover, recent political changes underway in many developing countries may be making the delivery of basic services more difficult.
Demography
Decelerating Pace and Human Development Crucial Elements of Fertility Transition
In a small number of developing countries fertility has dipped below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman. Some demographers have asked whether projections of future population growth might be made more accurate by changing them to assume that fertility in the long run will fall below replacement in all countries, rather than to 2.1 births per woman as is now the assumption. In March 2002, a United Nations expert group met to debate the possibility for projecting the course of population growth over the next several decades. Population Council demographer John Bongaarts, one of the experts called to comment on this issue contends that simply lowering the assumed fertility level would be insufficient. He recently published research outlining additional changes that would be needed to make the fertility projection model more accurate.
Basic Research
Illuminating the Role of Inhibins and Activins in Fertility
All currently available hormonal contraceptives for women reduce fertility by influencing levels of the steroid hormones estrogen and progesterone. Altering the level of these hormones, however, can cause unpleasant side effects in some cases. Population Council molecular endocrinologist Daniel Bernard is conducting basic research that may one day lead to a contraceptive for women that leaves estrogen and progesterone levels largely unaffected, theoretically resulting in fewer side effects. His research concerns two types of protein hormones that play a role in women’s fertility: inhibins and activins.
Women's Health
Bridging the Safe Motherhood Knowledge Gap
A reduction in maternal deaths over the last decade and a half has proved elusive. This may be due in part to the fact that safe motherhood programs often have been created on the basis of ideas that initially seemed good but had not been demonstrated to be effective. Two recent studies led by Council researchers, one in conjunction with the Kintampo Health Research Centre in Ghana, and another in Mexico, have highlighted the need for identifying effective approaches before implementing them on a large scale.
Microbicides
Motivations for and Barriers to Study Participation
To gain insight into the factors that motivate people to participate in clinical trials, Population Council researchers with colleagues at the Thailand Ministry of Public Health—U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Collaboration recently assessed the interests and concerns of women in Chiang Rai, Thailand regarding participation in microbicide clinical trials. Findings from this and similar research may prove valuable for selecting trial sites, estimating enrollment rates, and tailoring trials to best meet women’s needs.
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