sodium-ethylxanthate and Virus-Diseases

The issues worldwide that deserve attention pertain to international migration, the education of women, family planning, missing female children, and prevention and control of AIDS cases. Migration outside country borders has been increasing due to economic and social disparities, and uncounted and unrecognized refugees are fleeing environmental disasters. The educational status of women has increased over the past 30 years. For example, female illiteracy has declined among women aged 20-24 years from 19% to 8% in Latin America, from 38% to 12% in eastern and western Asia, and from 80% to 49% in Africa. These improvements are significant, but the problem remains, where, for instance in Africa, there is still extensive illiteracy (75% of females aged under 25 years). A 1993 Population Action International Report states that low female educational levels and weak family planning and health programs are related to large family size and high child death rates. During the 1980s family planning was linked with ecological concerns. Progress has been made in the increase in contraceptive users in developing countries from 14% to 53% during 1965-70. Fertility has declined from 6.1 children per woman in the 1950s to 3.7. Kenya is a good example of a country with high fertility that reduced fertility through its emphasis on family planning. Obstacles to increased prevalence of contraception still remain. In Mexico more than 50% of public birth control services are provided to women in secret due to fear of their husband's abuse. Population pressure can result in the loss of girl children through higher mortality, better nutrition, neglect, or gender preference in the early fetal stages. The challenge of AIDS will be in caring for the sick and adjusting to social changes due to the expected increases in orphaned children.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Asia; Asia, Eastern; Bangladesh; Behavior; China; Demography; Developing Countries; Disease; Economics; Educational Status; Emigration and Immigration; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Family Characteristics; Family Planning Services; Family Relations; Health Planning; HIV Infections; India; Nuclear Family; Population; Population Dynamics; Psychology; Sex; Social Class; Social Values; Socioeconomic Factors; Virus Diseases

Until recently, the only sustained AIDS activity in India has been alarmist media attention complemented by occasional messages calling for comfort and dignity. Public perception of the AIDS epidemic in India has been effectively shaped by mass media. Press reports have, however, bolstered awareness of the problem among literate elements of urban populations. In the absence of sustained guidance in the campaign against AIDS, responsibility has fallen to voluntary health activists who have become catalysts for community awareness and participation. This voluntary initiative, in effect, seems to be the only immediate avenue for constructive public action, and signals the gradual development of an AIDS network in India. Proceedings from a seminar in Ahmedabad are discussed, and include plans for an information and education program targeting sex workers, health and communication programs for 150 commercial blood donors and their agents, surveillance and awareness programs for safer blood and blood products, and dialogue with the business community and trade unions. Despite the lack of coordination among volunteers and activists, every major city in India now has an AIDS group. A controversial bill on AIDS has ben circulating through government ministries and committees since mid-1989, a national AIDS committee exists with the Secretary of Health as its director, and a 3-year medium-term national plan exists for the reduction of AIDS and HIV infection and morbidity. UNICEF programs target mothers and children for AIDS awareness, and blood testing facilities are expected to be expanded. The article considers the present chaos effectively productive in forcing the Indian population to face up to previously taboo issued of sexuality, sex education, and sexually transmitted disease.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Administrative Personnel; Asia; Attitude; Behavior; Child Welfare; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Communication; Community Participation; Culture; Demography; Developing Countries; Diagnosis; Disease; Economics; Government; Health; Health Planning; Health Services Needs and Demand; Hematologic Tests; HIV Infections; Homosexuality; India; Infections; International Agencies; Legislation as Topic; Mass Media; Maternal Welfare; Morbidity; Organization and Administration; Organizations; Philosophy; Politics; Population; Population Characteristics; Psychology; Public Opinion; Public Policy; Research; Sex; Sexual Behavior; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Social Planning; Social Values; United Nations; Urban Population; Virus Diseases; Volunteers; World Health Organization

Topics: Alopecia; Dermatitis Herpetiformis; Female; Genetics, Medical; Humans; Incontinentia Pigmenti; Pigmentation Disorders; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Sex; Virus Diseases

Topics: Adolescent; Child; Female; Headache; Humans; Hypothalamus; Infections; Lipodystrophy; Neurotic Disorders; Pregnancy; Prognosis; Sex; Virus Diseases