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In the rather chaotic history of United Nations' peacekeeping operations, where results have not always matched the efforts of the international community, East Timor stands as an undeniable success, as of March 10, 2004. In two and a half years, from November 1999 to May 2002, this totally devastated country was entirely reconstructed. In the space of twenty-eight months, this country saw its external and internal security assured, and the establishment of central and district administrations, a police force, a judicial system, legal and regulatory codes, a central bank, a fiscal system, an educational system, agricultural development, the renegotiation of oil agreements with Australia, and a constitution. In the months after independence on 20 May 2002, an outside observer could have been forgiven for concluding that East Timor's new state institutions were failing.

Objectives: To examine access and equity to induced abortion services in Australia, including factors associated with presenting beyond nine weeks gestation., Methods: Cross-sectional survey of 2,326 women aged 16+ years attending for an abortion at 14 Dr Marie clinics. Associations with later presentation assessed using multivariate logistic regression., Results: Over a third of eligible women opted for a medical abortion. More than one in 10 (11.2%) stayed overnight. The median Medicare rebated upfront cost of a medical abortion was $560, compared to $470 for a surgical abortion at ≤9 weeks. Beyond 12 weeks, costs rose considerably. More than two-thirds (68.1%) received financial assistance from one or more sources. Women who travelled ≥4 hours (AdjOR: 3.0, 95%CI 1.2-7.3), had no prior knowledge of the medical option (AdjOR: 2.1, 95%CI 1.4-3.1), had difficulty paying (AdjOR: 1.5, 95%CI 1.2-1.9) and identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (AdjOR: 2.1, 95%CI 1.2-3.4) were more likely to present ≥9 weeks., Conclusions: Abortion costs are substantial, increase at later gestations, and are a financial strain for many women. Poor knowledge, geographical and financial barriers restrict method choice. Implications for public health: Policy reform should focus on reducing costs and enhancing early access., (© 2017 The Authors.)

Background: We examined the baseline prevalence of penile, scrotal, perineal/perianal, and intra-anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seronegative men who have sex with men (MSM)., Methods: Data were analyzed from 602 MSM aged 16-27 years with ≤ 5 lifetime sexual partners. Serum samples were tested for antibodies to HPV6/11/16/18. Swab samples were collected separately from several anogenital areas for detection of HPV6/11/16/18/31/33/35/39/45/51/52/56/58/59 DNA., Results: The prevalence of any tested HPV type was 18.5% at the penis, 17.1% at the scrotum, 33.0% at the perineal/perianal region, 42.4% in the anal canal, and 48.0% at any site. Overall, 415 MSM (69.7%) were negative to HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18 at enrollment by both serology and DNA detection. Men residing in Europe and Latin America had significantly increased risk of HPV infection at external genital sites and the anal canal compared to men from Australia. Tobacco use and greater number of lifetime sexual partners was associated with higher HPV infection prevalence., Conclusions: The prevalence of HPV infection is high among young sexually active MSM, with the anal canal being the most common site of infection. Lifetime number of sexual partners was the most important modifiable risk factor for anogenital HPV infection.