Mass-media-generated interpersonal communication as sources of information about family planning.

This study suggests that mass-media-generated interpersonal communication networks vary according to an individual's behavior-change stage. As people in Peru adopted modern family planning methods, they increasingly formed and perhaps relied on information from more technical interpersonal communication networks, which shifted from peers to doctors and other service providers. Moreover, information seeking and giving varied with adoption stages in unexpected ways. In collaboration with Apoyo a Programmas de Población (Advocacy for Population Programs) of Peru, we present a model of how interpersonal communication networks generated by mass media messages vary with stage of behavior change.

HIV-related knowledge and risk behaviors of street youth in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The Street Youth Study Group.

Individual interviews were conducted with 379 youth who work and/or live on the streets of a large Brazilian city to assess HIV-related knowledge, sources of information, risk behaviors, and prevention beliefs and strategies. Respondents demonstrated high levels of factual knowledge about HIV transmission (84% correct) coupled with high levels of misconceptions about casual transmission (53% correct) and intermediate levels of knowledge about prevention (64% correct). Only 54% of the respondents had heard about AIDS recently, and 37.5% said they talked to someone about AIDS. The most common sources of information about HIV/AIDS were the mass-media and friends. Over half the sample reported taking precautions to reduce their risk of HIV infection; however, the proportion of youth taking effective precautions was low. Among the 247 youth (65% of the sample) who had initiated sexual activity, lifetime condom use was reported by 18%, and condom use at last intercourse by 10%. Youth with higher levels of knowledge were more likely to report behavior changes to avoid HIV infection. These findings underscore the urgent need for prevention programs tailored to street youth in developing countries.

Cross-cultural issues in CRM training.

NASA: The author presents six stages of intercultural awareness and relates them to cockpit resource management training. A case study examines cultural differences between South American and United States flight crews and the problems that can occur when pilots minimize differences. Differences in leadership styles are highlighted and strategies for training South American pilots are provided.^ieng

Sexual practices and attitudes of street youth in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Street Youth Study Group.

Street youth are at risk of HIV infection worldwide. To develop effective prevention strategies, information about the meanings and functions of sexual activity for street youth is needed. In this paper, data from structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and field observations are used to build up a picture of the sexual culture of 9-to-18-year-olds living and/or working on the streets of a large Brazilian city. The findings reveal that these children and adolescents engage in sexual behavior that puts them at risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, and reinforce that sex is a multi-determined and entrenched behavior in this population. Interventions must take into account the fact that for street youth, sex is used as a means of ensuring survival, seeking comfort, finding pleasure, and dealing with psychological issues that arise during adolescence.

Family planning goes public.

PIP: The Center for Family Orientation (COF), a private family planning agency with clinics in 8 provinces of Bolivia, initiated a bold, scientifically planned, and successful mass media campaign in 1986. As late as 1978 the Bolivian government had been hostile to COF. The Johns Hopkins University/Population Communication Services helped COF determine that the Bolivian public and its leaders were open to more information about family planning. Bolivia, the poorest Latin American country, then had 7 million people, expected to double in 27 years. There are 2 distinct indigenous groups, the Aymara and the Quechua, and Spanish-speaking people, centered in the cities of La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz, respectively. Only 4% of couples use modern family planning methods. Initial surveys of 522 opinion leaders, 300 family planning users, focus groups of users, and a population survey of 1300 people in 8 provinces showed that 90% wanted modern family planning services. Radio was chosen to inform potential users about COF's services, to increase clinic attendance, and to involve men. To obtain support from public leaders, 10 conferences were held. The 1st series of radio messages focused on health benefits of family planning and responsible parenthood; the 2nd series gave specific benefits, information on child spacing, breast feeding, and optimal ages for childbearing. Besides 36,800 radio spots broadcast on 17 stations, booklets, posters, calendars, promotional items, and audiotapes to be played in public busses, were all designed, pretested, and revised. New acceptors increased 71% during the 11-month campaign. Success of the project influenced the start of the National Reproductive Health Project and new IEC efforts planned through cooperation of public and private institutions.^ieng