Population Council Research that makes a difference

Barbara S. Mensch, Ph.D.

Senior Associate

Barbara S. Mensch is a senior associate at the Population Council. A social demographer, her current work focuses on transitions to adulthood in developing countries and behavioral research conducted as part of HIV prevention trials and intervention programs. Mensch is principal investigator on a five-year NICHD grant, "Education and HIV risk among young people in a high-prevalence country," which seeks to elucidate the relationships between schools, educational outcomes, and HIV among young people in Malawi. She was a member of the National Academy of Sciences Panel on Transitions to Adulthood in Developing Countries and was responsible for drafting the chapter on marriage for the committee report. Through her role as a member of the Behavioral Research Working Group of the NIH-funded Microbicide Trials Network, Mensch is collaborating on studies to assess several candidate microbicides and delivery platforms for adherence and acceptability. Mensch was also the principal investigator on methodological studies funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and the US Agency for International Development to assess and improve the measurement of sensitive behaviors in both surveys and clinical studies in developing countries. Earlier in her career at the Council, she conducted research assessing the quality of care provided by reproductive health and family planning programs. At Columbia University's School of Public Health in the 1980s, she investigated adolescent pregnancy and drug use in the United States.

Mensch received a B.A. in history from Wellesley College, a B.A. and M.A. in social and political sciences from Cambridge University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in sociology and demography from Princeton University.

She is affiliated with the Population Council's Poverty, Gender, and Youth, and HIV and AIDS programs.

 

Barbara S. Mensch, Ph.D.

Senior Associate

Audio Computer-assisted Self-interviewing (ACASI) and Microbicides (more)
Council researchers are using ACASI to conduct behavioral and social science research about microbicides.
(1/2006 - ongoing)
Topics: Microbicides
Countries: Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, United States, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Comparative Studies on the Transitions to Adulthood (more)
These studies use comparable data from many developing countries to analyze key aspects of transitions to adulthood, including schooling, time use, marriage, sexual initiation, and parenthood.
(1/1998 - ongoing)
Topics: Adolescence/transitions to adulthood
Countries: Developing Countries

Malawi Schooling and Adolescent Study (more)
This six-round longitudinal study aims to identify critical aspects of school quality that put adolescents who face the dual challenges of poverty and HIV/AIDS on a safer, healthier, and more productive path to adulthood. Our research seeks to uncover those aspects of schooling that will lead to more protective behaviors and lower HIV risk among young men and women.
(1/2007 - 4/2015)
Topics: Adolescence/transitions to adulthood; Child marriage; HIV and children; HIV prevention; RTIs/STIs; Schooling; Sexual and gender-based violence; Sexuality and sexual behavior; Sexuality education
Countries: Malawi

Male Circumcision Partnership: Achieving Scale (more)
The Male Circumcision Partnership is establishing multisectoral provider networks for high-quality adult male circumcision services.
(1/2009 - 11/2013)
Topics: Male circumcision; Sexuality and sexual behavior
Countries: Swaziland, Zambia

A Simulated Clinical Trial to Explore Willingness to Participate and Methods for Improving Reporting of Adherence Among a Sex-worker Cohort in Nellore, India (more)
A simulated microbicides clinical study is being conducted in India to develop and test strategies for improving recruitment, adherence, and the reporting of adherence for future microbicides clinical trials.
(1/2008 - 1/2012)
Topics: Microbicides; Sex workers
Countries: India

Assessing and Improving the Measurement of Sexual Behaviors (more)
Council researchers are conducting a series of studies assessing the reporting of sexual behavior in survey research and the use of audio computer-assisted self-interviews (audio-CASI) as a technique for providing more reliable and valid information.
(1/2000 - 1/2009)
Topics: Sexuality and sexual behavior
Countries: Brazil, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda

Barbara S. Mensch, Ph.D.

Senior Associate

An evaluation of methods to improve the reporting of adherence in a placebo gel trial in Andhra Pradesh, India  (abstract) (HTML
Abbott,Sharon; Friedland,Barbara A.; Sarna,Avina; Katzen,Lauren L.; Rawiel,Ulrike; Srikrishnan,Aylur K.; Shalini,C.S.; Tun,Waimar; Kelly,Christine A.; Solomon,Suniti; Mensch,Barbara S.
AIDS and Behavior 17(6): 2222-2236
Publication date: 2013

Challenges in measuring the sequencing of life events among adolescents in Malawi: A cautionary note 
Mensch,Barbara S.; Soler-Hampejsek,Erica; Kelly,Christine A.; Hewett,Paul C.; Grant,Monica J.
Demography (In press)
Publication date: 2013

Characteristics of female sex workers in southern India willing and unwilling to participate in a placebo gel trial  (abstract) (HTML
Mensch,Barbara S.; Friedland,Barbara A.; Abbott,Sharon; Katzen,Lauren L.; Tun,Waimar; Kelly,Clifton A.; Sarna,Avina; Srikrishnan,Aylur K.; Solomon,Suniti
AIDS and Behavior 17(2): 585-597
Publication date: 2013

Effect of computer-assisted interviewing on self-reported sexual behavior data in a microbicide clinical trial  (abstract) (PDF
Gorbach,Pamina M.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Husnik,Marla; Coly,Astou; Masse,Benoit R.; Makanani,Bonus; Nkhoma,Chiwawa; Chinula,Lameck; Tembo,Tchangani; Mierzwa,Stan; Reynolds,Kimberly; Hurst,Stacey; Coletti,Anne S.; Forsyth,Andrew
AIDS and Behavior 17(2): 790-800
Publication date: 2013

Menstruation and school absenteeism: Evidence from rural Malawi  (abstract) (HTML
Grant,Monica J.; Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Mensch,Barbara S.
Comparative Education Review 57(2): 260-284
Publication date: 2013

Prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance among women screening for HIV prevention trials in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (MTN-009)  (abstract) (HTML
Parikh,Urvi M.; Kiepiela,Photini; Ganesh,Shayhana; Gomez,Kailazarid; Horn,Stephanie; Eskay,Krista; Kelly,Cliff; Mensch,Barbara S.; Gorbach,Pamina M.; Soto-Torres,Lydia; Ramjee,Gita; Mellors,John W.; on behalf of IPTc Taskforce
PLoS ONE 8(4): e59787-
Publication date: 2013

Sexually transmitted infections and reproductive health morbidity in a cohort of female sex workers screened for a microbicide feasibility study in Nellore, India  (abstract) (HTML
Sarna,Avina; Friedland,Barbara A.; Srikrishnan,Aylur K.; Katzen,Lauren L.; Tun,Waimar; Abbott,Sharon; Rawiel,Ulrike; Kelly,Christine A.; Shalini,C.S.; Solomon,Suniti; Mensch,Barbara S.
Global Journal of Health Science 5(3): 139-149
Publication date: 2013

Social desirability bias in sexual behavior reporting: Evidence from an interview mode experiment in rural Malawi  (abstract) (HTML
Kelly,Christine A.; Soler-Hampejsek,Erica; Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.
International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 39(1): 14-21
Publication date: 2013

The effect of school status and academic skills on the reporting of premarital sexual behavior: Evidence from a longitudinal study in rural Malawi  (abstract) (HTML
Soler-Hampejsek,Erica; Grant,Monica J.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.; Rankin,Johanna
Journal of Adolescent Health 53(2): 228-234
Publication date: 2013

Acceptability in microbicide and PrEP trials: Current status and a reconceptualization  (abstract) (HTML
Mensch,Barbara S.; van der Straten,Ariane; Katzen,Lauren L.
Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS 7(6): 534-541
Publication date: 2012

Assessing and improving self-reporting of male circumcision in Zambia and Swaziland  (PDF
Hewett,Paul C.; Haberland,Nicole; Mensch,Barbara S.; Apicella,Louis
Population Council Research and Evaluation of Male Circumcision Scale-Up Report (no. 2)
Publication date: 2012

Sex with stitches: The resumption of sexual activity during the post-circumcision wound healing period in Zambia  (abstract) (HTML
Hewett,Paul C.; Hallett,Timothy B.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Dzekedzeke,Kumbutso; Zimba-Tembo,Susan; Garnett,Geoffrey P.; Todd,Petra E.
AIDS 26(6): 749-756
Publication date: 2012

The (mis)reporting of male circumcision status among men and women in Zambia and Swaziland: A randomized evaluation of interview methods  (abstract) (HTML
Hewett,Paul C.; Haberland,Nicole; Apicella,Louis; Mensch,Barbara S.
PLoS ONE 7(5): e36251-
Publication date: 2012

Assessing the reporting of adherence and sexual activity in a simulated microbicide trial in South Africa: An interview mode experiment using a placebo gel  (abstract) (HTML
Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.; Abbott,Sharon; Rankin,Johanna; Littlefield,Sarah A.; Ahmed,Khatija; Cassim,Nazira; Patel,Smruti; Ramjee,Gita; Palanee,Thesla; Mierzwa,Stan; Skoler-Karpoff,Stephanie
AIDS and Behavior 15(2): 407-421
Publication date: 2011

Introducing adolescent livelihoods training in the slums of Allahabad, India  (PDF
Grant,Monica J.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Sebastian,Mary Philip
Promoting Healthy, Safe, and Productive Transitions to Adulthood Brief (no. 2)
Publication date: 2011

The effect of school status and academic skills on the reporting of sexual behavior: Evidence from a longitudinal study in rural Malawi 
Soler-Hampejsek,Erica; Mensch,Barbara S.; Grant,Monica J.; Hewett,Paul C.
manuscript. (An earlier version of this paper was presented as a poster at the 2010 annual meeting of the Population Association of America, Dallas, 15-17 April.)
Publication date: 2011

Validation of a dye stain assay for vaginally inserted hydroxyethylcellulose-filled microbicide applicators  (abstract) (HTML
Katzen,Lauren L.; Fernandez-Romero,Jose A.; Sarna,Avina; Murugavel,Kailapuri G.; Gawarecki,Daniel; Zydowsky,Thomas M.; Mensch,Barbara S.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases 38(11): 1050-1055
Publication date: 2011

Consistencia lógicade la información aportada por mujeres sobre conductas sensibles: resultados de un experimento realizado con dos modos de entrevista, São Paulo, Brasil  (abstract) (PDF
Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.; Jones,Heidi E.; Luppi,Carla Gianni; Lippman,Sheri A.; Pinho,Adriana A.; Diaz,Juan
Perspectivas Internacionales en Salud Sexual y Reproductiva (Número especial): 21-29
Publication date: 2009

Associations between premarital sex and leaving school in four sub-Saharan African countries  (abstract) (HTML
Biddlecom,Ann E.; Gregory,Richard; Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Mensch,Barbara S.
Studies in Family Planning 39(4): 337-350
Publication date: 2008

Consistency in women's reports of sensitive behavior in an interview mode experiment, Sáo Paulo, Brazil  (abstract) (HTML
Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.; Jones,Heidi E.; Luppi,Carla Gianni; Lippman,Sheri A.; Pinho,Adriana A.; Diaz,Juan
International Family Planning Perspectives 34(4): 169-176
Publication date: 2008

Marriage and childbirth as factors in dropping out from school: An analysis of DHS data from sub-Saharan Africa  (abstract) (HTML
Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Mensch,Barbara S.
Population Studies 62(1): 1-13
Publication date: 2008

Pregnancy and marriage are not the main reasons for leaving school in Africa  (abstract) (HTML
Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Mensch,Barbara S.
International Family Planning Perspectives 34(3): 147-148
Publication date: 2008

Sexual behavior and STI/HIV status among adolescents in rural Malawi: An evaluation of the effect of interview mode on reporting  (PDF
Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.; Gregory,Richard; Helleringer,Stephane
Poverty, Gender, and Youth Working Paper (no. 8)
Publication date: 2008

Sexual behavior and STI/HIV status among adolescents in rural Malawi: An evaluation of the effect of interview mode on reporting  (abstract) (HTML
Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.; Gregory,Richard; Helleringer,Stephane
Studies in Family Planning 39(4): 321-334
Publication date: 2008

Using sexually transmitted infection (STI) biomarkers to validate the reporting of sexual behavior within a randomized experimental evaluation of interviewing methods  (abstract) (PDF) (HTML
Hewett,Paul C.; Mensch,Barbara S.; de A.Ribeiro,Manoel Carlos; Jones,Heidi E.; Lippman,Sheri A.; Montgomery,Mark R.; van de Wijgert,Janneke
American Journal of Epidemiology 168(2): 202-211
Publication date: 2008

Le contexte de l'initiation sexuelle en évolution dans la région subsaharienne de l'Afrique  (PDF
Mensch,Barbara S.
Promouvoir la santé, la sécurité et la productivité transitions vers l'âge adulte Document (N26)
Publication date: 2007

Obtaining more accurate and reliable information from adolescents regarding STI/HIV risk behaviors  (PDF
Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.
Promoting Healthy, Safe, and Productive Transitions to Adulthood Brief (no. 25)
Publication date: 2007

Premarital sex and schooling transitions in four sub-Saharan African countries  (PDF
Biddlecom,Ann E.; Gregory,Richard; Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Mensch,Barbara S.
Poverty, Gender, and Youth Working Paper (no. 5)
Publication date: 2007

The changing context of sexual initiation in sub-Saharan Africa  (PDF
Mensch,Barbara S.
Promoting Healthy, Safe, and Productive Transitions to Adulthood Brief (no. 26)
Publication date: 2007

Marriage and childbirth as factors in school exit: An analysis of DHS data from sub-Saharan Africa  (PDF
Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Mensch,Barbara S.
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 219)
Publication date: 2006

The changing context of sexual initiation in sub-Saharan Africa  (abstract) (HTML
Mensch,Barbara S.; Grant,Monica J.; Blanc,Ann K.
Population and Development Review 32(4): 699-727
Publication date: 2006

The changing context of sexual initiation in sub-Saharan Africa  (PDF
Mensch,Barbara S.; Grant,Monica J.; Blanc,Ann K.
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 206)
Publication date: 2005

The transition to marriage 
Mensch,Barbara S.; Lloyd,Cynthia B.
from Growing Up Global: The Changing Transitions to Adulthood in Developing Countries, pp. 416-505
Publication date: 2005

Trends in the timing of first marriage among men and women in the developing world 
Mensch,Barbara S.; Singh,Susheela; Casterline,John B.; Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Behrman,Jere R.; Stromquist,Nelly P.; Cohen,Barney
from The Changing Transitions to Adulthood in Developing Countries: Selected Studies, pp. 118-171
Publication date: 2005

Trends in the timing of first marriage among men and women in the developing world  (PDF
Mensch,Barbara S.; Singh,Susheela; Casterline,John B.
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 202)
Publication date: 2005

Trends in the timing of first marriage among men and women in the developing world [Arabic]  (PDF
Mensch,Barbara S.; Singh,Susheela; Casterline,John B.
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 202)
Publication date: 2005

Consistency in the reporting of sexual behaviour by adolescent girls in Kenya: A comparison of interviewing methods  (abstract) (PDF) (HTML
Hewett,Paul C.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Erulkar,Annabel S.
Sexually Transmitted Infections 80(suppl 2): ii43-ii48
Publication date: 2004

Integrating adolescent livelihood activities within a reproductive health program for urban slum dwellers in India  (PDF
Huntington,Dale; Sebastian,Mary Philip; Mensch,Barbara S.; Clark,Wesley H.; Narain Singh,Aditya; Roychowdhury,Sohini; Khan,M.E.; Selvam,Nirmala; Patel,Bella C.; Barge,Sandhya; Gupta,Y.P.; Johri,Lovleen; Biswas,Gita; Shenoy,Manohar
FRONTIERS Final Report
Publication date: 2004

Integrating adolescent livelihood activities within a reproductive health programme for urban slum dwellers in India  (PDF
Sebastian,Mary Philip; Grant,Monica J.; Mensch,Barbara S.
Final report
Publication date: 2004

The effect of a livelihoods intervention in an urban slum in India: Do vocational counseling and training alter the attitudes and behavior of adolescent girls?  (PDF
Mensch,Barbara S.; Grant,Monica J.; Sebastian,Mary Philip; Hewett,Paul C.; Huntington,Dale
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 194)
Publication date: 2004

The feasibility of computer-assisted survey interviewing in Africa: Experience from two rural districts in Kenya  (abstract) (HTML
Hewett,Paul C.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Erulkar,Annabel S.
Social Science Computer Review 22(3): 319-334
Publication date: 2004

Adolescent fertility 
Mensch,Barbara S.; Singh,Susheela; Demeny,Paul; McNicoll,Geoffrey
from Encyclopedia of Population, pp. 14-16
Publication date: 2003

Adolescents in Vietnam: Looking beyond reproductive health  (abstract) (PDF
Mensch,Barbara S.; Clark,Wesley H.; Dang Nguyen Anh
Studies in Family Planning 34(4): 249-262
Publication date: 2003

Consistency in the reporting of sexual behavior among adolescent girls in Kenya: A comparison of interviewing methods  (PDF
Hewett,Paul C.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Erulkar,Annabel S.
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 182)
Publication date: 2003

Gender-role attitudes among Egyptian adolescents  (abstract) (PDF
Mensch,Barbara S.; Ibrahim,Barbara L.; Lee,Susan M.; El-Gibaly,Omaima
Studies in Family Planning 34(1): 8-18
Publication date: 2003

The feasibility of computer-assisted survey interviewing in Africa: Experience from two rural districts in Kenya.  (PDF
Hewett,Paul C.; Erulkar,Annabel S.; Mensch,Barbara S.
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 168)
Publication date: 2003

The impact of educational quality on school exit in Egypt  (HTML
Lloyd,Cynthia B.; El Tawila,Sahar; Clark,Wesley H.; Mensch,Barbara S.
Comparative Education Review 47(4): 444-467
Publication date: 2003

The reporting of sensitive behavior by adolescents: A methodological experiment in Kenya  (abstract) (HTML
Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.; Erulkar,Annabel S.
Demography 40(2): 247-268
Publication date: 2003

Baseline survey results: Integrating adolescent livelihood activities within a reproductive health program for urban slum dwellers in India  (PDF
Sebastian,Mary Philip; Huntington,Dale; Clark,Wesley H.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Uttekar,Bela Patel
FRONTIERS Update (no. 2)
Publication date: 2002

Midline survey results: Integrating adolescent livelihood activities within a reproductive health program for urban slum dwellers in India  (PDF
Sebastian,Mary Philip; Huntington,Dale; Mensch,Barbara S.; Clark,Wesley H.; Begum,Shahina; Uttekar,Bela Patel; Roychowdhury,Sohini
FRONTIERS Update (no. 3)
Publication date: 2002

Premarital sex in Vietnam: Is the current concern with adolescent reproductive health warranted?  (PDF
Mensch,Barbara S.; Clark,Wesley H.; Dang Nguyen Anh
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 163)
Publication date: 2002

The decline of female circumcision in Egypt: Evidence and interpretation  (abstract) (HTML
El-Gibaly,Omaima; Ibrahim,Barbara L.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Clark,Wesley H.
Social Science and Medicine 54(2): 205-220
Publication date: 2002

Transitions to Adulthood. A National Survey of Egyptian Adolescents (Second edition) 
Ibrahim,Barbara L.; Sallam,Sunny; El Tawila,Sahar; El-Gibaly,Omaima; El Sahn,Fikrat; Lee,Susan M.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Wassef,Hind; Bukhari,Sarah; Galal,Osman
Publication date: 2002

Determinants of educational attainment among adolescents in Egypt: Does school quality make a difference?  (PDF
Lloyd,Cynthia B.; El Tawila,Sahar; Clark,Wesley H.; Mensch,Barbara S.
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 150)
Publication date: 2001

Determinants of educational attainment among adolescents in Egypt: Does school quality make a difference? [Arabic]  (PDF
Lloyd,Cynthia B.; El Tawila,Sahar; Clark,Wesley H.; Mensch,Barbara S.
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 150)
Publication date: 2001

Integrating adolescent livelihood activities within a reproductive health program for urban slum dwellers in India  (PDF
Huntington,Dale; Sebastian,Mary Philip; Sevlam,Nirmala; Mensch,Barbara S.; Hegazi,Sahar
FRONTIERS Update (no. 1)
Publication date: 2001

Premarital sex, schoolgirl pregnancy, and school quality in rural Kenya  (abstract) (PDF
Mensch,Barbara S.; Clark,Wesley H.; Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Erulkar,Annabel S.
Studies in Family Planning 32(4): 285-301
Publication date: 2001

The reporting of sensitive behavior among adolescents: A methodological experiment in Kenya  (PDF
Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.; Erulkar,Annabel S.
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 151)
Publication date: 2001

Socialization to gender roles and marriage among Egyptian adolescents  (PDF
Mensch,Barbara S.; Ibrahim,Barbara L.; Lee,Susan M.; El-Gibaly,Omaima
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 140)
Publication date: 2000

The School Environment in Egypt. A Situation Analysis of Public Preparatory Schools 
El Tawila,Sahar; Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Wassef,Hind; Gamal,Zeinab; Clark,Wesley H.; Sakr,Rania
Publication date: 2000

The School Environment in Egypt. A Situation Analysis of Public Preparatory Schools [Arabic]  (PDF
El Tawila,Sahar; Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Wassef,Hind; Gamal,Zeinab; Clark,Wesley H.; Sakr,Rania
Publication date: 2000

Implications of formal schooling for girls' transitions to adulthood in developing countries 
Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Bledsoe,Caroline H.; Casterline,John B.; Johnson-Kuhn,Jennifer A.; Haaga,John G.
Washington,DC, pp. 80-104
Publication date: 1999

Premarital sex and school dropout in Kenya: Can schools make a difference?  (PDF
Mensch,Barbara S.; Clark,Wesley H.; Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Erulkar,Annabel S.
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 124)
Publication date: 1999

Taking back young lives: Policy issues for adolescent girls in the developing world  (abstract
Bruce,Judith; Mensch,Barbara S.
Journal of the American Medical Women's Association 54(3): 153-154,160
Publication date: 1999

The changing nature of adolescence in the Kassena-Nankana District of northern Ghana  (abstract) (PDF
Mensch,Barbara S.; Bagah,Daniel; Clark,Wesley H.; Binka,Fred N.
Studies in Family Planning 30(2): 95-111
Publication date: 1999

The decline of female circumcision in Egypt: Evidence and interpretation  (PDF
El-Gibaly,Omaima; Ibrahim,Barbara L.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Clark,Wesley H.
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 132)
Publication date: 1999

The decline of female circumcision in Egypt: Evidence and interpretation [Arabic]  (PDF
El-Gibaly,Omaima; Ibrahim,Barbara L.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Clark,Wesley H.
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 132)
Publication date: 1999

Transitions to Adulthood. A National Survey of Egyptian Adolescents [Arabic]  (PDF
Ibrahim,Barbara L.; Sallam,Sunny; El Tawila,Sahar; El-Gibaly,Omaima; El Sahn,Fikrat; Lee,Susan M.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Wassef,Hind; Bukhari,Sarah; Galal,Osman
Publication date: 1999

Gender differences in the schooling experiences of adolescents in low-income countries: The case of Kenya  (abstract) (PDF
Mensch,Barbara S.; Lloyd,Cynthia B.
Studies in Family Planning 29(2): 167-184
Publication date: 1998

The changing social environment for adolescents in Kassena-Nankana District of northern Ghana: Implications for reproductive behavior  (PDF
Mensch,Barbara S.; Bagah,Daniel; Clark,Wesley H.; Binka,Fred N.
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 110)
Publication date: 1998

The effects of primary school quality on the educational participation and attainment of Kenyan girls and boys  (PDF
Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Clark,Wesley H.
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 116)
Publication date: 1998

The Uncharted Passage: Girls' Adolescence in the Developing World  (PDF
Mensch,Barbara S.; Bruce,Judith; Greene,Margaret E.
Publication date: 1998

Transitions to manhood: Socialization to gender roles and marriage among Egyptian adolescent boys 
Ibrahim,Barbara L.; Mensch,Barbara S.; El-Gibaly,Omaima
Paper presented at the Seminar on Men, Family Formation and Reproduction, International Union for the Scientific Study of Population, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 13-15 May
Publication date: 1998

Gender differences in the schooling experiences of adolescents in low-income countries: The case of Kenya  (PDF
Mensch,Barbara S.; Lloyd,Cynthia B.
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 95)
Publication date: 1997

Schooling and the experience of adolescents in Kenya 
Ajayi,Ayorinde; Clark,Wesley H.; Erulkar,Annabel S.; Hyde,Karin; Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Ndeti,Cecilia; Ravitch,Barry; Masiga,Elisabeth; Gichaga,Shiprah
Publication date: 1997

Youth centres in Kenya: Evaluation of the Family Planning Association of Kenya programme 
Erulkar,Annabel S.; Mensch,Barbara S.
Publication date: 1997

Comparing the Peru service availability module and situation analysis  (abstract
Arends-Kuenning,Mary; Mensch,Barbara S.; Garate,Maria Rosa
Studies in Family Planning 27(1): 44-51
Publication date: 1996

Survey questions for the measurement of induced abortion  (abstract
Huntington,Dale; Mensch,Barbara S.; Miller,Vincent C.
Studies in Family Planning 27(3): 155-161
Publication date: 1996

The impact of the quality of family planning services on contraceptive use in Peru  (abstract
Mensch,Barbara S.; Jain,Anrudh K.; Arends-Kuenning,Mary
Studies in Family Planning 27(2): 59-75
Publication date: 1996

The reliability of the situation analysis observation guide  (abstract
Huntington,Dale; Miller,Kate; Mensch,Barbara S.
Studies in Family Planning 27(5): 277-282
Publication date: 1996

Meeting reproductive goals: The impact of the quality of family planning services on unintended pregnancy in Peru 
Mensch,Barbara S.; Arends-Kuenning,Mary; Jain,Anrudh K.; Garate,Maria Rosa
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 81)
Publication date: 1995

Assessing the impact of the quality of family planning services on contraceptive use in Peru: A case study linking Situation Analysis data to the DHS 
Mensch,Barbara S.; Arends-Kuenning,Mary; Jain,Anrudh K.
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 67)
Publication date: 1994

Indicators for measuring the quality of family planning services in Nigeria  (abstract
Askew,Ian; Mensch,Barbara S.; Adewuyi,Alfred A.
Studies in Family Planning 25(5): 268-283
Publication date: 1994

Using situation analysis data to assess the functioning of family planning clinics in Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe  (abstract
Mensch,Barbara S.; Fisher,Andrew A.; Askew,Ian; Ajayi,Ayorinde
Studies in Family Planning 25(1): 18-31
Publication date: 1994

A new approach to eliciting information about induced abortion 
Huntington,Dale; Mensch,Barbara S.; Toubia,Nahid
Studies in Family Planning 24(2): 120-124
Publication date: 1993

Rethinking postpartum family planning  (abstract) (HTML
Winikoff,Beverly; Mensch,Barbara S.
Studies in Family Planning 22(5): 294-307
Publication date: 1991

Barbara S. Mensch, Ph.D.

Senior Associate

Education interventions/programs: Some ideas to consider  
Presentation at the Malawi Schooling and Adolescent Study Dissemination Workshop, Zomba, Malawi, 26 January
Mensch,Barbara S.
Publication date: 2011

Gender differences in school effects on learning and enrollment outcomes in rural Malawi  
Paper presented at annual meeting of the Population Association of America, Washington DC, 1 April
Grant,Monica J.; Soler-Hampejsek,Erica; Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.
Publication date: 2011

Sex with stitches: The resumption of sexual activity during the post-circumcision healing period in Zambia (abstract) (PDF
Presentation at the 19th meeting of the International Society for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Research, Quebec City, 10-13 July
Hewett,Paul C.; Hallett,Timothy B.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Garnett,Geoffrey P.; Kumbutso,Dzekedzeke; Todd,Petra E.
Publication date: 2011

The larger context: Trends in education in Eastern and Southern Africa  
Presentation at the Malawi Schooling and Adolescent Study Dissemination Workshop, Zomba, Malawi, 26 January
Mensch,Barbara S.
Publication date: 2011

Transitions to adulthood in rural Malawi: Estimating the sequencing of sexual initiation, school leaving, and marriage  
Paper presented at annual meeting of the Population Association of America, Washington DC, 1 April
Mensch,Barbara S.; Soler-Hampejsek,Erica; Kelly,Christine A.; Hewett,Paul C.; Grant,Monica J.
Publication date: 2011

Assessing reporting of male circumcision in sub-Saharan Africa (PDF
Poster presentation at the XVIII International AIDS Conference, Vienna, 19 July
Mensch,Barbara S.; Munjile,Kelvin; Apicella,Louis; Haberland,Nicole; Hewett,Paul C.
Publication date: 2010

Assessing the reporting of adherence and sexual activity in a simulated microbicide trial (PDF
Presentation at International Microbicides Conference (M2010), Pittsburgh, 22-25 May
Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.; Abbott,Sharon; Rankin,Johanna; Littlefield,Sarah A.; Ahmed,Khatija; Cassim,Nazira; Patel,Smruti; Ramjee,Gita; Palanee,Thesla; Mierzwa,Stan; Skoler-Karpoff,Stephanie
Publication date: 2010

Gender, absenteeism and menstruation: Evidence from rural Malawi  
Paper presented at annual meeting of the Population Association of America, Dallas, 15-17 April
Grant,Monica J.; Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Mensch,Barbara S.
Publication date: 2010

Health and early marriage in rural Malawi  
Paper presented at annual meeting of the Population Association of America, Dallas, 15-17 April
Grant,Monica J.; Soler-Hampejsek,Erica; Mensch,Barbara S.
Publication date: 2010

'I was honest, but not that much': A qualitative investigation of acceptability of ACASI and self-reports of honesty in a simulated microbicide trial (abstract)  
Poster presentation at the XVIII International AIDS Conference, Vienna, 22 July
Abbott,Sharon; Mensch,Barbara S.; Katzen,Lauren L.
Publication date: 2010

Assessing the impact of primary school quality on adolescent educational participation and achievement (abstract)  
Presentation at the XXVI IUSSP International Population Conference, Marrakech, 29 September
Hewett,Paul C.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Chimombo,Joseph P.G.
Publication date: 2009

Assessing the impact of primary school quality on adolescent educational transitions in Malawi  
Paper presented at annual conference of the Comparative and International Education Society, Charleston, SC, 23 March
Hewett,Paul C.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Chimombo,Joseph P.G.
Publication date: 2009

Challenges in conducting behavioral research in HIV prevention studies: Examples from microbicide trials (PDF
Presentation at the United States-Russia 2009 HIV/AIDS Prevention Workshop, Moscow, 28-30 October
Mensch,Barbara S.
Publication date: 2009

Consistency of reporting sexual behavior and adherence via ACASI in HPTN 035  
Poster presentation
Coly,Astou; Mensch,Barbara S.; Gorbach,Pamina M.; Masse,Benoit R.; Makanani,Bonus; Chinula,Lameck; Nkhoma,Chiwawa; Tembo,T.; Mierzwa,Stan; Reynolds,Kimberly; Hurst,Stacey; Coletti,Anne S.; Forsyth,Andrew
Publication date: 2009

Development and acceptability of the NES/EE CVR: A year-long, user-controlled contraceptive method  
Presentation at the International Conference on Family Planning: Research and Best Practices, Kampala, 16 November
Merkatz,Ruth B.; Sitruk-Ware,Regine; Sivin,Irving; Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.; Cooney,Michael; Hoskin,Elena
Publication date: 2009

Education and the timing of sexual initiation and marriage in rural Malawi: A longitudinal analysis of the effect of attendance, attainment, and repetition (abstract)  
Paper presented at the Population Association of America Annual Meeting, Detroit, 2 May
Soler-Hampejsek,Erica; Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.
Publication date: 2009

Education and timing of sexual initiation and marriage: The effect of school attendance, attainment and repetition in rural Malawi  
Poster at XXVI IUSSP International Population Conference, Marrakech, 27 September-2 October
Soler-Hampejsek,Erica; Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.
Publication date: 2009

Use of computer-assisted self-interview to assess product use in microbicide trials: Lessons learned in HPTN 035 (PDF
Poster presentation at the 18th International Society for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Research (ISSTDR), London, 28 June-1 July
McVarish,L.; Gorbach,Pamina M.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Coly,Astou; Young,A.; Masse,Benoit R.; Makanani,Bonus; Chinula,Lameck; Nkhoma,Chiwawa; Tembo,T.; Mierzwa,Stan; Reynolds,Kimberly; Hurst,Stacey; Coletti,Anne S.; Forsyth,Andrew
Publication date: 2009

Assessing the reporting of adherence and sexual activity in a simulated microbicide trial: Preliminary results from an interview mode experiment in the Phase 3 Carraguard® sites, South Africa (PDF
Poster presented at Microbicides 2008, New Delhi, 24-27 February
Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.; Rankin,Johanna; Littlefield,Sarah A.; Abbott,Sharon; Ahmed,Khatija; Cassim,Nazira; Patel,Smruti; Mehlomakulu,Vuyelwa; Ramjee,Gita; Palanee,Thesla; Skoler,Stephanie; Gehret,Marlena; Govender,Sumentheran N.
Publication date: 2008

Measuring and assessing school quality in rural Malawi (abstract)  
Paper presented by Barbara Mensch at Population Association of America 2008 Annual Meeting, New Orleans, 17 April
Hewett,Paul C.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Chimombo,Joseph P.G.; Ghuman,Sharon; Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Gregory,Richard
Publication date: 2008

Measuring and assessing school quality in rural Malawi  
Paper presented by Cynthia Lloyd at Investing in Young People's Health and Development: Research That Improves Policies and Programs, Abuja, 27-30 April
Hewett,Paul C.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Chimombo,Joseph P.G.; Ghuman,Sharon; Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Gregory,Richard
Publication date: 2008

Measuring and assessing school quality in rural Malawi (PDF
Presentation at the Population Association of America Annual Meeting, New Orleans, 17-19 April
Mensch,Barbara S.
Publication date: 2008

Measuring and assessing the impact of school quality in rural Malawi  
Presentation at Gaining Educational Equity Around the World, conference of the Comparative and International Education Society, New York, 17-21 March
Hewett,Paul C.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Chimombo,Joseph P.G.; Ghuman,Sharon; Lloyd,Cynthia B.
Publication date: 2008

Premarital sex and schooling transitions in four sub-Saharan African countries  
Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Population Association of America, New Orleans, 19 April
Biddlecom,Ann E.; Gregory,Richard; Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Mensch,Barbara S.
Publication date: 2008

The contribution of behavioral research to microbicide trials: Taking stock (PDF
Plenary address at Microbicides 2008, New Delhi, 24-27 February
Mensch,Barbara S.
Publication date: 2008

Consistency in the reporting of sexual behavior: An analysis of an interview mode experiment in São Paulo, Brazil  
Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Population Association of America, New York, 30 March
Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.; Jones,Heidi E.; Luppi,Carla Gianni; Lippman,Sheri A.; Pinho,Adriana A.; Diaz,Juan
Publication date: 2007

Gender differences in schooling experiences among adolescents in Malawi (abstract)  
Presentation at Fifth African Population Conference, Arusha, Tanzania, 10-14 December
Hewett,Paul C.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Chimombo,Joseph P.G.; Gregory,Richard
Publication date: 2007

Pregnancy among microbicide trial participants: A demographer's perspective  
Presentation at Microbicide Trials Network behavioral research committee meeting, Washington DC, 12 January
Mensch,Barbara S.
Publication date: 2007

Early marriage and pregnancy as factors in school dropout: An analysis of DHS data from sub-Saharan Africa  
Presentation at the Population Association of America 2006 Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, 30 March
Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Mensch,Barbara S.
Publication date: 2006

Premarital sex and schooling transitions in four sub-Saharan African countries  
Paper prepared for IUSSP Seminar on Sexual and Reproductive Transitions of Adolescents in Developing Countries, Cholula, Mexico, 6-9 November
Biddlecom,Ann E.; Gregory,Richard; Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Mensch,Barbara S.
Publication date: 2006

Using STI biomarkers to validate the reporting of sexual behavior within an experimental evaluation of interviewing methods  
Presentation at the Population Association of America 2006 Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, 31 March
Hewett,Paul C.; Mensch,Barbara S.; de A.Ribeiro,Manoel Carlos; Jones,Heidi E.; Lippman,Sheri A.; Montgomery,Mark R.; van de Wijgert,Janneke
Publication date: 2006

Barbara S. Mensch, Ph.D.

Senior Associate

Curriculum Vitae

Contact

E-mail: bmensch@popcouncil.org

Address:
Barbara S. Mensch
Population Council
One Dag Hammarskjold Plaza
9th Floor
New York, NY 10017 USA
+1 212 339 0500

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