BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 26 November 2106)
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Research article
Individual, household and community level factors associated with keeping tuberculosis status secret in Ghana
In tuberculosis (TB) control, early disclosure is recommended for the purposes of treatment as well as a means of reducing or preventing person-to-person transmission of the bacteria. However, disclosure maybe…
Joshua Amo-Adjei
BMC Public Health 2016 16:1196
Published on: 25 November 2016
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Research article
Social norms and family planning decisions in South Sudan
Sumit Kane, Maryse Kok, Matilda Rial, Anthony Matere, Marjolein Dieleman and Jacqueline EW Broerse
BMC Public Health 2016 16:1183
Published on: 22 November 2016
Abstract
Background
With a maternal mortality ratio of 789 per 100,000 live births, and a contraceptive prevalence rate of 4.7%, South Sudan has one of the worst reproductive health situations in the world. Understanding the social norms around sexuality and reproduction, across different ethnic groups, is key to developing and implementing locally appropriate public health responses.
Methods
A qualitative study was conducted in the state of Western Bahr el Ghazal (WBeG) in South Sudan to explore the social norms shaping decisions about family planning among the Fertit community. Data were collected through five focus group discussions and 44 semi-structured interviews conducted with purposefully selected community members and health personnel.
Results
Among the Fertit community, the social norm which expects people to have as many children as possible remains well established. It is, however, under competitive pressure from the existing norm which makes spacing of pregnancies socially desirable. Young Fertit women are increasingly, either covertly or overtly, making family planning decisions themselves; with resistance from some menfolk, but also support from others. The social norm of having as many children as possible is also under competitive pressure from the emerging norm that equates taking good care of one’s children with providing them with a good education. The return of peace and stability in South Sudan, and people’s aspirations for freedom and a better life, is creating opportunities for men and women to challenge and subvert existing social norms, including but not limited to those affecting reproductive health, for the better.
Conclusions
The sexual and reproductive health programmes in WBeG should work with and leverage existing and emerging social norms on spacing in their health promotion activities. Campaigns should focus on promoting a family ideal in which children become the object of parental investment, rather than labour to till the land — instead of focusing directly or solely on reducing family size. The conditions are right in WBeG and in South Sudan for public health programmes to intervene to trigger social change on matters related to sexual and reproductive health; this window of opportunity should be leveraged to achieve sustainable change.
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Research article
Causes of maternal and child mortality among Cambodian sex workers and their children: a cross sectional study
To reach global and national goals for maternal and child mortality, countries must identify vulnerable populations, which includes sex workers and their children. The objective of this study was to identify a…
Brian Willis, Saki Onda and Hanni Marie Stoklosa
BMC Public Health 2016 16:1176
Published on: 21 November 2016