Factors associated with maternal attitudes towards condom education for children aged 1214 years in Myanmar

Condom education, an important part of comprehensive sexuality education, involves lessons on negotiating, motivating and demonstrating condom use. Expanding condom-related knowledge and skill reduces risks of unwanted pregnancy, HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Condom education for adolescents has been a controversial subject among parents, teachers, health professionals and the general public. Mothers are key stakeholders in efforts to implement such programmes. Therefore, this study explored factors associated with their attitudes towards the condom education for children aged 12-14 years. We used secondary data from the Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey. The sample includes mothers (N = 7011) who had at least one living child and responded to the question "Should children aged 12-14 be taught about condom use to prevent AIDS?" The answers yes, no and unsure were used as proxy for their attitudes. In total, 41.5% of the mothers agreed with the condom education. Mothers, who had an adolescent child, belonged to an ethnic minority, rural residents, low-educated, poor knowledge of HIV and condoms were less supportive of the condom education. These findings highlight the need for rural mothers in Myanmar to be given awareness about adolescent sexual and reproductive health focusing on HIV/AIDS and condom desensitization.

Support for Offering Sexual Health Services Through School-Based Health Clinics

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies document support for sexuality education in the schools. However, there is a dearth of research assessing support for sexual health services offered through school-based health clinics (SBHCs). The purpose of this study was to assess voter support for offering 3 sexual health services (STI/HIV testing, STI/HIV treatment, condom distribution) through SBHCs.

METHODS

The survey was developed after review of existing surveys on support for sexuality education and sexual health services. The university's Public Opinion Research Laboratory used random-digit-dialing to administer the survey to participants (N = 311) including residential and cell phone numbers.

RESULTS

Most participants were supportive of offering sexual health services at both middle schools (MS) and high schools (HS): testing for STIs/HIV (61% MS, 76% HS), treatment for STIs/HIV (60% MS, 75% HS), and provision of condoms (44% MS, 63% HS). Analyses showed significant differences in support for sexual health services by a few demographic variables, opinions about sexuality education, and the percentage of students perceived to have had sexual intercourse.

CONCLUSIONS

Results document support for offering sexual health services through SBHCs. These findings may benefit other communities looking to implement similar clinics. Such services have great potential for positively impacting the sexual health of youth.

Is cost a structural barrier preventing men who have sex with men accessing condoms? A systematic review

A systematic review was undertaken to determine whether cost is a structural barrier preventing men who have sex with men (MSM) accessing condoms. Studies were examined from a range of countries where condoms have been distributed free to particular populations and also those where condoms were available at a cost to the individual. The study inclusion criteria were: published between January 1990 and September 2014 inclusive; published in any language, discussed cost as a barrier to condom use, discussed cost barriers to MSM accessing condoms and included a measure of outcome. Articles were systematically extracted from MEDLINE, Embase, PyschINFO and Informat using the five search terms; Male Homosexuality, Access, Cost, Cost and Cost analysis, Condoms. Sixty-four articles were initially identified and 11 included in the final review. The included studies used cost-utility analysis, qualitative, cross-sectional, cohort or randomised control trial design. Large-scale free distribution programmes and smaller targeted programmes showed positive correlations in reducing the burden of disease from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections through eliminating the issue of cost. Decreasing the cost of condoms, and providing them for no cost, appears to increase their utilisation amongst MSM and possibly reduce the burden from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Inequality and stigma remain important barriers to MSM accessing and using condoms particularly in the developing world.