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Introduction: Implementing sex education programs during adolescence is crucial for addressing the risks associated with sexuality. However, some of these interventions lack proper incorporation of a gender perspective and maintain a heteronormative and biologically-focused approach, potentially resulting in inequitable outcomes for adolescents. In response, comprehensive sex education is most effective due to its multidimensional view of sexuality. However, integrating a comprehensive perspective on sexuality and a gender lens that contributes to adolescent health equity presents challenges, especially in low and middle-income countries. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive and gender-transformative sex education program for adolescents in a middle-income country of Latin America, utilizing the Intervention Mapping Approach. Methods: This exploratory sequential mixed-method study comprised two phases. In the first phase, a literature review, nine focus groups with high school students, and 14 interviews with school professionals were conducted to inform program design. Subsequently, the program underwent validation through expert judgment. In the second phase—as part of program development—a preliminary evaluation was conducted by implementing the program in two high schools with 30 students from public high schools, who were administered a pre-post ad hoc survey. Results: A comprehensive and gender-transformative sex education program was designed based on literature review findings and input from students and school workers. The ad hoc survey revealed a statistically significant increase in protective skills in sexuality (W = 59, p =.01) among all participants. Discussion: Designing a sex education intervention through Intervention Mapping allowed for the integration of evidence and the needs of the target population. The results of the preliminary evaluation suggest the potential of the developed program to enhance protective skills in sexuality and promote health equity through gender-equitable outcomes in adolescent sex education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our longitudinal, qualitative study with 29 pregnant adolescents who smoke used a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach to understand experiences and the function of tobacco through pregnancy to 6 months postpartum. The young women described complex lives of overlapping oppressions interspersed with expressions of resistance; these were lived experiences on the threshold of both adulthood and an anticipated better life. Our research implicated tobacco use as a value laden action at the border of oppression and resistance. Thinking about tobacco as a component of and a flag for oppression, we combined a gender based focus with the social ecological model to create a rich understanding of the opportunities for designing equitable interventions that address a range of interconnected influences on an adolescent mother's health. Opportunities for interventions open briefly in the space between the early idealism displayed by adolescent mothers and the impinging potential reality of oppressive life trajectories.

To authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9566.2009.01234.x Byline: Joan L. Bottorff (1), John L. Oliffe (2), Mary T. Kelly (3), Lorraine Greaves (4), Joy L. Johnson (2), Pamela Ponic (2), Anna Chan (3) Keywords: smoking; gender relations; fathers; mothers; harm reduction Abstract: Abstract To further understand men's continued smoking during their partner's pregnancy and the postpartum period, a study was undertaken to explore women's perspectives of men's smoking. Using a gender lens, a thematic analysis of transcribed interviews with 27 women was completed. Women's constructions of men's smoking and linkages to masculine and feminine ideals are described. The findings highlight the ways women position themselves both as defenders and regulators of men's smoking. Femininities that aligned women with hegemonic masculine principles underpinned their roles in relation to men's smoking and presented challenges in influencing their partner's tobacco reduction. By positioning the decision to quit smoking as a man's solitary pursuit, women reduced potential relationship conflict and managed to maintain their identity as a supportive partner. Insights from this study provide direction for developing gender-specific tobacco reduction initiatives targeting expectant and new fathers. Indeed, a lack of intervention aimed at encouraging men's tobacco reduction has the potential to increase relationship tensions, and inadvertently maintain pressure on women to regulate fathers' smoking. This study illustrates how gender-based analyses can provide new directions for men's health promotion programmes and policies. Author Affiliation: (1)Faculty of Health and Social Development, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Canada (2)School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (3)Nursing and Health Behaviour Research Unit, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (4)British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women's Health, Vancouver, Canada Article note: Address for correspondence: Joan L. Bottorff, Faculty of Health and Social Development, University of British Columbia Okanagan, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, British Columbia V1Y 1V7, Canada, e-mail: joan.bottorff@ubc.ca

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2009.10.001 Byline: Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli (a), Milan Khara (b), Ric M. Procyshyn (c), Joy L. Johnson (d), Alasdair M. Barr (e), Lorraine Greaves (a) Keywords: Methadone maintenance; Smoking cessation; Smoking reduction; Smoking and substance use Abstract: Individuals in methadone maintenance treatment are motivated to quit smoking and are interested in smoking cessation treatment. However, few studies have assessed the efficacy of smoking cessation treatment for individuals undergoing methadone maintenance. The purpose of this article is to review interventions for tobacco use cessation among individuals in methadone maintenance with a particular emphasis on the components of such interventions and their effect on smoking cessation/reduction and drug use. Author Affiliation: (a) British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women's Health, Box 48, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6H 3N1 (b) Tobacco Dependence Clinic 3rd Floor, Pacific Spirit Community Health Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6M 2E1 (c) BC Mental Health & Addictions Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V5Z 4H4 (d) School of Nursing, NEXUS, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z3 (e) Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada Article History: Received 22 May 2009; Revised 22 September 2009; Accepted 15 October 2009

Cet article aborde les changements que les femmes violentees ont apportes a leur consommation de drogues et qui ont eu recours a l'aide des maisons d'hebergement rurales et urbaines. Elles [...]

Les femmes qui utilisent des substances nocives durant leur grossesse sont souvent stigmatisees et jugees par le discours public, On a l'impression que c'est la sante et les droits du [...]

Introduction: Few studies have explored fathers' views and experiences of creating a smoke-free home, with interventions largely targeting mothers. This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to fathers creating a smoke-free home, to inform future intervention development.Methods: Eighteen fathers who were smokers and lived in Scotland were recruited from Dads' community groups, Early Years Centres and through social media advertising. Semi-structured interviews explored their views and experiences of creating a smoke-free home. A theory-informed thematic analysis using the COM-B model highlighted ways in which capability, opportunity, and motivations shaped fathers' home smoking behaviors.Results: Several fathers understood the health risks of second-hand smoke exposure through public health messaging associated with recent smoke-free legislation prohibiting smoking in cars carrying children. Limited understanding of effective exposure reduction strategies and personal mental health challenges reduced some fathers' ability to create a smoke-free home. Fathers were keen to maintain their smoke-free home rules, and their motivations for this largely centered on their perceived role as protector of their children, and their desire to be a good role model.Conclusions: Fathers' abilities to create a smoke-free home are shaped by a range of capabilities, opportunities, and motivations, some of which relate to their role as a father. Establishing a fuller understanding of the contextual and gender-specific factors that shape fathers' views on smoking in the home will facilitate the development of interventions and initiatives that fathers can identify and engage with, for the broader benefit of families and to improve gender equity and health.Implications: Our findings can inform future development of father-centered and household-level smoke-free home interventions. They identify fathers' views and experiences and help reframe smoking in the home as a gendered family-wide issue, which is important in building consensus on how best to support parents to create a smoke-free home. Our findings highlight the need for additional research to develop understanding of the ways in which gender-related aspects of family structures, heterosexual relationships, and child living arrangements influence home smoking rules and how to tailor interventions accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Le harcelement sexuel et les abus sont des problemes importants et souvent caches aux athletes feminines. Cet article rapporte des exemples tires d'un sondage national realise dans des equipes canadiennes. [...]

This study uses taped interviews to examine women's perceptions of personal safety and abuse during conjugal visits. Common themes in the interviews include fears related to controlling and abusive behavior from incarcerated partners and negative experiences with the correctional system or prison personnel.