Contraceptive decision-making among adolescents in secondary schools in Kingston and St. Andrew, Jamaica

The study investigated the factors which influence contraception decision-making among Grade 9 or Form 3 students attending secondary schools within Kingston and St. Andrew (Corporate Area). A cross-sectional study which involved a random sample of 220 students drawn from six schools, (one all-female, one all-male and four co-educational) was carried out during the month of March 1997. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the number of females and males who were attending school. It was observed that the students did not have good knowledge on fertility but indicated that they were well aware of the condom and the pill. Closer examination to validate this knowledge, proved to be the corollary of what they had indicated, concerning the use of the pill. Generally, students had good attitude toward fertility and contraception but seemed to be unclear about the difference between abortion and contraception. Only a small percentage of them used a contraceptive, of which more males than females used a method, hence the condom was found to be used most popularly among this sub-group. The pharmacy remained the main source of providing teenagers with contraceptives, but students' preferences were the Doctor's Office and the Family Planning Clinic. The level of counselling was average and students main reason for their choice was related to health reasons. A significant number of males than females indicated that they had sufficient information to choose a method and 58 percent of them had been exposed to FLE, and 84 percent had good to fair knowledge on fertility and contraception. A fairly large percentage of students were dissatisfied with the FLE programme in their schools. Students suggested various sources from which they obtained information and cited the media (1st) and youth group as the most acceptable place where sex education information should be made available. A large majority of the respondents (96.7 percent) did not want to have a child now. The reasons for their choices were based on their perception of pre-disposing and enabling factors. The majority of students, least considered educational and future job benefits as part of their decision-making concerning contraception. The majority of the students did not want to enter into motherhood or. fatherhood, at this stage of their lives. But the result showed that they were lacking in several of the essential requirement necessary for decision-making.(Au)

Quality of sexually transmitted disease services in Jamaica: evaluation of a clinic-based approach. Collaborative Working Group on Indicators of STD Case Management

As part of a larger strategy to develop global indicators of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection prevention programmes, a clinic-based method for the assessment of sexually transmitted disease (STD) service quality was developed and field tested by trained observers who visited a random sample of public-sector clinics in Jamaica in October 1991. The assessment included an inventory of equiptment and drugs, interview with clinic staff, and observations of 27 health workers in 15 clinics as they provided services to 115 patients presented for STD care. This observation-based method provided Jamaican programme managers with descriptive data on STD case management in public clinics within a one-month study period at an approximate local cost of US$ 5000. Based on weighted estimates, 91 percent of public-sector STD patients in Jamaica were seen in clinics whose staff had received some training in STD case management during the preceding 12 months. The correct treatment rate was estimated to be 82 percent for those diagnosed with gonorrhoea, and 70 percent for those diagnosed with syphilis. Based on 98 observed encounters for first-time-for-episode patients, counselling included sex partner referral (57 percent), partner reduction (48 percent), and condom use (59 percent). Although 61 percent of STD patients were seen in clinics with condoms in stock on the day of the assessment, only 23 percent were offered condoms during their visit. The clinic-based assessment method can be adapted to the programme management and reporting needs of the countries at all stages of STD service development, and can provide data needed to improve programme operations and meet international reporting standards (AU)

The knowledge and attitude of Christian ministers of religion in Kingston and St. Andrew Jamaica concerning HIV infection and AIDS

This study was designed to determine the knowledge and attitude of Christian ministers of religion on the HIV infection and AIDS. It was carried out on 70 Christians ministers of religion residing in Kingston and St. Andrew. These ministers were selected from nine church groups comprising 58 denominations and 230 churches in Kingston and St. Andrew. The instrument used was a self administered questionnaire. Knowledge on HIV and AIDS was very high with ministers obtaining a mean score of 30.5 marks out of a possible total of 39 marks. Overall, there was little variation in knowledge score between church groups. Involvement of ministers in activities related to HIV or AIDs prevention or treatment was minimal 16 percent; and only 9 percent had any training for couselling. All felt that ministers could contribute towards the prevention of the HIV infection, and identified a number of ways. The majority of the ministers felt the Ministry of Health was not doing sufficient to deal with the HIV/AIDS problems and suggestions for improvement were given. Recommendations include: Inclusion of at least one representative from each church group on the National AIDS Committee, and organization of counselling seminars targeted at ministers of religion.(AU)

AIDS: social ethical and legal aspects

A general article in which the author deals with some key issues, e.g., notification of communicable diseases, testing, "the right to know", the right to work and examines the legal, social and ethical issues involved

The Women's Centre in Jamaica: an innovative project for adolescent mothers

In 1978 the Jamaican Women's Bureau established the Women's Centre, the 1st project in the developing world to help pregnant teenagers avoid the usual hardships of poverty and dependence. The women take courses in academic subjects and prenatal and postnatal health, and receive good medical care. Fathers and parents are involved in counselling sessions where practical life skills, including family planning, are emphasized. The young mothers improve dramatically in self confidence, self esteem, and in their ability to take care of their babies. The Centre's success has helped to loosen the policies of the Jamaican government on the education of pregnant school age women (AU)