Sexual and Reproductive Health
Research Interests:
This paper addresses Moore and O'Neil's deconstruction of imperial desire for the domination of women and the other in Volume 1 of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
Research Interests: Gender Studies, Philosophy, Sex and Gender, Women's Studies, Feminist Theory, and 41 moreVictorian Studies, Women's History, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Gender History, Literature, Postcolonial Studies, Comics Studies, Feminist Philosophy, Sexuality, Sexual Violence, Gender and Sexuality, Language and Ideology, Ideology, History of Sexuality, Gender, Victorian Literature, Gender Equality, Comics, Postmodernism, Feminism, Michel Foucault, Desire, Postcolonial Feminism, Victorian cultural studies, Victorian studies (Literature), Postcolonial Theory, Neo-Victorian Literature, Steampunk, Victorian Masculinity, Postmodern Literature, Feminist Literary Theory and Gender Studies, Postmodern Literary Theory and Popular Culture, Comics and Graphic Novels, Women and Gender Studies, Foucault power/knowledge - discourse, Postmodern, Victorian Literature and Culture, Alan Moore, Sexual Deviant Behaviour, Sexual Desire, and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
LIH-MEI LIAO is a clinical psychologist who works with women born with conditions that are associated with atypical reproductive-genital development. Clinical management of some of these conditions remains extremely controversial.... more
LIH-MEI LIAO is a clinical psychologist who works with women born with conditions that are associated with atypical reproductive-genital development. Clinical management of some of these conditions remains extremely controversial. Historical precedent, medical power and social intolerance produce a context that continues to centralise invasive surgery as the solution to problems of sexual anatomy and identity. Lih-Mei works as part of the multi-disciplinary team at the Middlesex Centre at University College Hospital (UCH) in London. Following her presentation at the 'What's different about sex?' conference, I met with her to find out about the trials and tribulations of her work, in particular her input in relation to vaginal reconstruction.
Research Interests:
With clarity and elegance, Bay-Cheng (2015) has provided a solid articulation of how neoliberalism has infiltrated the sexual lives of many girls and young women. Without question, research in the U.S. and the Anglophone West, as well as... more
With clarity and elegance, Bay-Cheng (2015) has
provided a solid articulation of how neoliberalism has infiltrated
the sexual lives of many girls and young women.
Without question, research in the U.S. and the Anglophone
West, as well as current trends in popular culture and the
media in these locales, warrant recognizing neoliberal
sexual agency and understanding the variety of ways it
interacts with the slut/prude/virgin continuum. While
some research has evidenced the salience of neoliberal
sexual agency for some adolescent girls, we depart with
Bay-Cheng’s (2015) assertion that developmental and
age differences not be taken into account and question
the primacy of neoliberal sexual agency as a new and
comparable hegemony to the slut/prude/virgin continuum.
We suggest that there remain other forms of sexual
agency that should not be displaced or disregarded and
wonder whether a paradigm shift from model to metaphor
may be helpful for capturing the complexity, contradictions
and contexts that constitute girls’ and young
women’s sexuality.
provided a solid articulation of how neoliberalism has infiltrated
the sexual lives of many girls and young women.
Without question, research in the U.S. and the Anglophone
West, as well as current trends in popular culture and the
media in these locales, warrant recognizing neoliberal
sexual agency and understanding the variety of ways it
interacts with the slut/prude/virgin continuum. While
some research has evidenced the salience of neoliberal
sexual agency for some adolescent girls, we depart with
Bay-Cheng’s (2015) assertion that developmental and
age differences not be taken into account and question
the primacy of neoliberal sexual agency as a new and
comparable hegemony to the slut/prude/virgin continuum.
We suggest that there remain other forms of sexual
agency that should not be displaced or disregarded and
wonder whether a paradigm shift from model to metaphor
may be helpful for capturing the complexity, contradictions
and contexts that constitute girls’ and young
women’s sexuality.
Research Interests: Social Psychology, Sex and Gender, Feminist Theory, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Sexuality, and 12 moreSexual Violence, Gender and Sexuality, Adolescent Development, Youth Culture, Feminism, Qualitative Research, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Constructions of femininity, Feminist activism, Sexuality And Culture, College student development, and Interpersonal Romantic Relationships
Objetivo: avaliar o conhecimento e a prática do cuidado pré-concepcional entre adolescentes. Método: estudo descritivo realizado em uma maternidade pública da cidade de São Paulo, com gestantes, parturientes e puérperas. As adolescentes... more
Objetivo: avaliar o conhecimento e a prática do cuidado pré-concepcional entre adolescentes. Método: estudo descritivo realizado em uma maternidade pública da cidade de São Paulo, com gestantes, parturientes e puérperas. As adolescentes responderam a questões sobre o cuidado pré-concepcional e um instrumento para mensuração do planejamento da gravidez. Os dados foram analisados no SPSS 18.0 e pela análise categorial temática. O projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa, CAAE: 0094.0.196.196-11. Resultados: dentre as 126 adolescentes, 18,3% planejaram a gravidez, 19,0% não planejaram e 62,7% mostraram-se ambivalentes. As medidas citadas como preparo pré-concepcional abrangeram três dimensões: emocional, social e física. Apesar da maioria considerar importante, 84,9% não adotaram qualquer medida como preparo para a gravidez e 22,0% sequer sabiam citar alguma medida. Conclusão: os resultados revelam que pouco se sabe e se faz sobre o cuidado pré-concepcional na adolescência.
Research Interests:
The aim of this study was to analyze correlates and prevalence of pregnancy planning according to women’s race/color. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 792 women attending public health facilities in São Paulo, Brazil, between... more
The aim of this study was to analyze correlates and prevalence of pregnancy planning according to women’s race/color. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 792 women attending public health facilities in São Paulo, Brazil, between 2011 and 2013. We used the Brazilian version of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy to measure the pregnancy planning. Black women planned less their pregnancy than White women; they also reported a greater proportion of the first pregnancy at younger ages and had more children. Living with the partner was the most important determinant for planning the pregnancy for both Black and White women (Black women: OR=4.20, CI 95%: 1.80-9.76; White women: OR=4.26, CI 95%:1.62-11.19). The higher educational level is, the lower the chance of Black women had to experience an unplanned pregnancy (OR=0.87; CI 95%:0.78-0.97). There are elements that equally influence both White and Black women regarding the pregnancy planning, like living with the partner. However, among Black women, the increase in the educational level would empower them to adopting actions to successfully prevent unplanned pregnancy.
Research Interests:
Objective: To describe the reasons for which women in unplanned pregnancies did not use emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy in progress. Method: Quantitative, crosssectional study in a random sample of users of pregnant women 12... more
Objective: To describe the reasons for which women in unplanned pregnancies did not use emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy in progress. Method: Quantitative, crosssectional study in a random sample of users of pregnant women 12 Basic Units of a district of
São Paulo (n=366), between March and June 2013. The inclusion criterion was living in an unplanned pregnancy. In Stata 12.0, the data were analyzed using proportions. Results: Although most have knowledge emergency contraception (96.7%), only 9.8% used for preventing pregnancy in progress. The main reason for nonuse was thinking that it would not become pregnant (47.6%). Other reasons were wanting to get pregnant in the future and not think/remember the method. Conclusions: Recognize situations where you risk getting pregnant, how to get and use the method and have clear reproductive intentions can increase the use of emergency contraception as indicated.
São Paulo (n=366), between March and June 2013. The inclusion criterion was living in an unplanned pregnancy. In Stata 12.0, the data were analyzed using proportions. Results: Although most have knowledge emergency contraception (96.7%), only 9.8% used for preventing pregnancy in progress. The main reason for nonuse was thinking that it would not become pregnant (47.6%). Other reasons were wanting to get pregnant in the future and not think/remember the method. Conclusions: Recognize situations where you risk getting pregnant, how to get and use the method and have clear reproductive intentions can increase the use of emergency contraception as indicated.
Research Interests:
The recent publication (March 2014) of the new declaration of sexual rights of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) provided a good opportunity to review the genealogy of sexual rights in order to understand the circumstances of... more
The recent publication (March 2014) of the new declaration of sexual rights of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) provided a good opportunity to review the genealogy of sexual rights in order to understand the circumstances of the emergence of such rights, to identify the organisations which opened the discourse on sexual rights and the various different perspectives from which this theoretical and intellectual elaboration was engaged.
A database was compiled comprising of all the main texts and declarations of sexual rights. The analyses revealed the following phases: in the first phase, we saw how the issue of family planning and the fight against the violence and discriminations against women emerged in the discourse on human rights; in the second phase, it was the human rights issues that were included in the field of sexual health, giving rise to “sexual rights”. These first two phases principally concerned the sexual health of heterosexual women and men. We are now witnessing the development of a new perspective aimed at the promotion of human rights and the fight against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identities.
The combination of a “health” approach and a “human rights” approach provides the bases of the main contemporary regimes of truth (Foucault) for sexuality.
A database was compiled comprising of all the main texts and declarations of sexual rights. The analyses revealed the following phases: in the first phase, we saw how the issue of family planning and the fight against the violence and discriminations against women emerged in the discourse on human rights; in the second phase, it was the human rights issues that were included in the field of sexual health, giving rise to “sexual rights”. These first two phases principally concerned the sexual health of heterosexual women and men. We are now witnessing the development of a new perspective aimed at the promotion of human rights and the fight against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identities.
The combination of a “health” approach and a “human rights” approach provides the bases of the main contemporary regimes of truth (Foucault) for sexuality.
Research Interests:
A 3 day recreational drug use survey of all attendees at 56 Dean Street GUM/HIV clinic; this survey was an early initiative to support the recruitment of the first full time ChemSex advisor in a UK sexual health clinic. Jodie Scrivener,... more
A 3 day recreational drug use survey of all attendees at 56 Dean Street GUM/HIV clinic; this survey was an early initiative to support the recruitment of the first full time ChemSex advisor in a UK sexual health clinic.
Jodie Scrivener, Dr Alan McOwan, David Stuart
Jodie Scrivener, Dr Alan McOwan, David Stuart
Research Interests:
Citation: Kirkman, L., Fox, C., & Dickson-Swift, V. (2015, 21-22 July). Relationship diversity and implicit stigma in rural Victoria. Paper presented at the SEXRurality 2015 Showcasing rural innovations and achievements in sexual health... more
Citation: Kirkman, L., Fox, C., & Dickson-Swift, V. (2015, 21-22 July). Relationship diversity and implicit stigma in rural Victoria. Paper presented at the SEXRurality 2015 Showcasing rural innovations and achievements in sexual health conference, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.
Background and aims:
This paper is drawn from PhD research into the experience of rural baby boomers in friends-with-benefits relationships (FWBR). A FWBR is defined as one where the participants have a friendship, an ongoing sexual relationship, yet do not consider themselves to be a couple. Midlife adults are initiating new relationships and many seek intimacy yet want to maintain independence, so are not looking for marriage or cohabitation. In rural areas maintaining confidentiality about relationships can be difficult and social expectations are conservative. Judgement and negative social consequences can come from having a non-normative relationship.
Methods:
This study was qualitative and used interpretive description, influenced by social constructionism, queer theory and feminist principles. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 people, 15 women and 7 men, who were invited to “Tell me about your friends-with-benefits relationship”. Participants were born between 1946 -1964 and had had a FWBR within the previous 5 years. Prompting questions asked about the effect of the relationship on their wellbeing, approach to safe sex, and use of health services for sexual health. Transcripts were analysed thematically.
Conclusions:
Participants reported that the relationships had a positive effect overall on wellbeing. No one used the word ‘stigma’ yet for many there was an implicit assumption that their non-normative relationships had to be hidden. I will present the population-based evidence about midlife sexuality and relationship diversity, then relate it to the findings from my rural sexuality research from the perspectives of stigma, confidentiality and well-being.
Disclosure of Interest Statement:
No conflicts of interest to disclose.
Background and aims:
This paper is drawn from PhD research into the experience of rural baby boomers in friends-with-benefits relationships (FWBR). A FWBR is defined as one where the participants have a friendship, an ongoing sexual relationship, yet do not consider themselves to be a couple. Midlife adults are initiating new relationships and many seek intimacy yet want to maintain independence, so are not looking for marriage or cohabitation. In rural areas maintaining confidentiality about relationships can be difficult and social expectations are conservative. Judgement and negative social consequences can come from having a non-normative relationship.
Methods:
This study was qualitative and used interpretive description, influenced by social constructionism, queer theory and feminist principles. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 people, 15 women and 7 men, who were invited to “Tell me about your friends-with-benefits relationship”. Participants were born between 1946 -1964 and had had a FWBR within the previous 5 years. Prompting questions asked about the effect of the relationship on their wellbeing, approach to safe sex, and use of health services for sexual health. Transcripts were analysed thematically.
Conclusions:
Participants reported that the relationships had a positive effect overall on wellbeing. No one used the word ‘stigma’ yet for many there was an implicit assumption that their non-normative relationships had to be hidden. I will present the population-based evidence about midlife sexuality and relationship diversity, then relate it to the findings from my rural sexuality research from the perspectives of stigma, confidentiality and well-being.
Disclosure of Interest Statement:
No conflicts of interest to disclose.
Research Interests:
Reproductive health is concerned with the people’s ability to have a satisfying and safe sex life ensuring their capability to reproduce with a liberty of making a decision that if, when and how often they have to do so. In Pakistan,... more
Reproductive health is concerned with the people’s ability to have a satisfying and safe sex life ensuring their capability to reproduce with a liberty of making a decision that if, when and how often they have to do so. In Pakistan, culturally females are married at a young age; become mothers and are at risk of health complications i.e. HIV/ STD and STI. There is less utilization of reproductive health services throughout Pakistan that ultimately affects health status of people at very young age. Most of the communities are not aware of reproductive
health services, thus not availing these facilities. Objective: So the present study was designed to examine the females perceptions, attitude and practices about reproductive health services as well as to determine the level of their empowerment to take decisions and make choices regarding their own reproductive health besides determining the level of the quality, availability and accessibility of reproductive health services and to suggest some measures for policy makers to improve the reproductive health state of young mothers in district Faisalabad. Study Design: A sample of 600 young married females of age 15-32 years was selected through multistage sampling technique. Period: 2009. Setting: Rural and urban area of District Faisalabad. Material and Method: Uni-variate (frequency distribution and percentage) and Bivariate analysis (Chi square and Gamma Statistics) was carried out. Results: Most (44.0%) of the respondents belonged to age category of 26-30 years; 35.5% were married for 18 years; 39.3% had been married for 5 years; 71.8% had primary and above level of education. Majority (65.9%) had up to Rs.10,000 per month income, 49.2% possessed 6-10 family members, 73.5% had at least 2 and above live children. Majority had the knowledge of reproductive health (67.7%) and HIV/AIDs (54.7%) whereas most of females had no knowledge of STIs (69.8%), RTIs (52.3%) and its development (51.8%). Most of the females experienced headache (62.8%), swelling of different body parts (61%) and back pain (62.7%) during their reproductive life. Bivariate
analysis showed highly significant relation among age at marriage, number of children, cultural hindrance and age of respondents vs. their reproductive health. Conclusion: Although
most of the females were young & educated mothers with good reproductive health experience but still lacking in knowledge about STIs, HIV/AIDS, RTIs and breast cancer that is because of
cultural hindrance, early age marriage pattern and male dominancy which indicates that we need to pay more attention towards female education and empowerment and decision making authority status at domestic level through community mobilization with the help of NGOs, Religious scholars and existing health system/ Health personnel’s .i.e. doctors/ nurses /LHV/ FHW.\
Key words: Attitude, STI, RTIs, HIV, AIDs, Reproductive health Knowledge, Brest Cancer, Young Females,
health services, thus not availing these facilities. Objective: So the present study was designed to examine the females perceptions, attitude and practices about reproductive health services as well as to determine the level of their empowerment to take decisions and make choices regarding their own reproductive health besides determining the level of the quality, availability and accessibility of reproductive health services and to suggest some measures for policy makers to improve the reproductive health state of young mothers in district Faisalabad. Study Design: A sample of 600 young married females of age 15-32 years was selected through multistage sampling technique. Period: 2009. Setting: Rural and urban area of District Faisalabad. Material and Method: Uni-variate (frequency distribution and percentage) and Bivariate analysis (Chi square and Gamma Statistics) was carried out. Results: Most (44.0%) of the respondents belonged to age category of 26-30 years; 35.5% were married for 18 years; 39.3% had been married for 5 years; 71.8% had primary and above level of education. Majority (65.9%) had up to Rs.10,000 per month income, 49.2% possessed 6-10 family members, 73.5% had at least 2 and above live children. Majority had the knowledge of reproductive health (67.7%) and HIV/AIDs (54.7%) whereas most of females had no knowledge of STIs (69.8%), RTIs (52.3%) and its development (51.8%). Most of the females experienced headache (62.8%), swelling of different body parts (61%) and back pain (62.7%) during their reproductive life. Bivariate
analysis showed highly significant relation among age at marriage, number of children, cultural hindrance and age of respondents vs. their reproductive health. Conclusion: Although
most of the females were young & educated mothers with good reproductive health experience but still lacking in knowledge about STIs, HIV/AIDS, RTIs and breast cancer that is because of
cultural hindrance, early age marriage pattern and male dominancy which indicates that we need to pay more attention towards female education and empowerment and decision making authority status at domestic level through community mobilization with the help of NGOs, Religious scholars and existing health system/ Health personnel’s .i.e. doctors/ nurses /LHV/ FHW.\
Key words: Attitude, STI, RTIs, HIV, AIDs, Reproductive health Knowledge, Brest Cancer, Young Females,
Research Interests:
RESUMO: Neste trabalho, buscamos apresentar os resultados de recente análise dinâmica contextual sobre as oportunidades e barreiras para a saúde sexual e reprodutiva dos jovens brasileiros. Na realização da pesquisa, revimos a literatura... more
RESUMO: Neste trabalho, buscamos apresentar os resultados de recente análise dinâmica contextual sobre as oportunidades e barreiras para a saúde sexual e reprodutiva dos jovens brasileiros. Na realização da pesquisa, revimos a literatura acadêmica mais recente, identificamos as principais ações governamentais e não-governamentais sobre essa temática e entrevistamos alguns especialistas da área. No decorrer deste trabalho, apresentamos os principais temas, concepções e ações, quando o assunto é saúde sexual dos jovens, e identificamos algumas das lacunas nas pesquisas e intervenções de educação não-formal até a inserção da educação sexual nos parâmetros curriculares nacionais na segunda metade da década de 1990. Finalizando, apresentamos uma agenda de ações e estudos no sentido de fomentar estratégias mais eficazes de promoção da saúde sexual e reprodutiva dos jovens brasileiros.
Research Interests:
From theories of conception and concepts of species to museum displays of male genitalia and the politics of breastmilk, The Secrets of Generation is an interdisciplinary examination of the many aspects of reproduction in the eighteenth... more
From theories of conception and concepts of species to museum displays of male genitalia and the politics of breastmilk, The Secrets of Generation is an interdisciplinary examination of the many aspects of reproduction in the eighteenth century.
Exploring the theme of generation from the perspective of histories of medicine, literature, biology, technology, and culture, this collection offers a range of cutting-edge approaches. Its twenty-four contributors, scholars from across Europe and North America, bring an international perspective to discuss reproduction in British, French, American, German, and Italian contexts.
The definitive collection on eighteenth-century generation and its many milieus, The Secrets of Generation will be an essential resource for studying this topic for years to come.
Exploring the theme of generation from the perspective of histories of medicine, literature, biology, technology, and culture, this collection offers a range of cutting-edge approaches. Its twenty-four contributors, scholars from across Europe and North America, bring an international perspective to discuss reproduction in British, French, American, German, and Italian contexts.
The definitive collection on eighteenth-century generation and its many milieus, The Secrets of Generation will be an essential resource for studying this topic for years to come.
Research Interests:
Abstract Background: There is little empirical literature on the effects of infertility on marital relationships in Ghana. This study sought to examine the effects of infertility on marital relationship among fertility clients at a Public... more
Abstract
Background: There is little empirical literature on the effects of infertility on marital relationships in Ghana.
This study sought to examine the effects of infertility on marital relationship among fertility clients at a Public
Hospital in Accra, Ghana.
Results: The study revealed that infertility negatively affected the sexual life of participants as they generally
reported that even though they still had regular sexual intercourse with their partners after realising they were
infertile (61.6 %), sex was only for the purpose of reproduction and not for mutual sexual satisfaction (68.8 %).
Sexual intercourse was reported to be unfulfilling as well as unenjoyable (64.3 %). The psychological well-being
of participants (87.5 %) and stability within marital unions were also negatively affected by infertility, resulting in
quarrels (72.3 %).
Conclusions: Infertility has numerous negative implications for marital relationship. Thus, infertile persons should
not be only physically examined and treated for infertility, but should also be given counselling to lessen the
psychological trauma attached to infertility.
Keywords: Self-reported, Infertility, Marital relationship, Fertility clients
Background: There is little empirical literature on the effects of infertility on marital relationships in Ghana.
This study sought to examine the effects of infertility on marital relationship among fertility clients at a Public
Hospital in Accra, Ghana.
Results: The study revealed that infertility negatively affected the sexual life of participants as they generally
reported that even though they still had regular sexual intercourse with their partners after realising they were
infertile (61.6 %), sex was only for the purpose of reproduction and not for mutual sexual satisfaction (68.8 %).
Sexual intercourse was reported to be unfulfilling as well as unenjoyable (64.3 %). The psychological well-being
of participants (87.5 %) and stability within marital unions were also negatively affected by infertility, resulting in
quarrels (72.3 %).
Conclusions: Infertility has numerous negative implications for marital relationship. Thus, infertile persons should
not be only physically examined and treated for infertility, but should also be given counselling to lessen the
psychological trauma attached to infertility.
Keywords: Self-reported, Infertility, Marital relationship, Fertility clients
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Introduction: Midwifery is the art of caring for women during childbearing. It is practiced throughout the world according to the norms, traditions and cultural practices found in each country. Maternal mortality in Nigeria is high but... more
Introduction: Midwifery is the art of caring for women during childbearing. It is practiced throughout the world according to the norms, traditions and cultural practices found in each country. Maternal mortality in Nigeria is high but there are wide variations between the geopolitical zones of the country. Government has established the midwives service scheme (MSS) as part of efforts towards reversing the country’s unacceptably high maternal mortality trends. To improve these indices, the MSS in Nigeria engaged newly graduated unemployed and retired midwives to work temporarily in rural areas. The midwives are posted for twelve months to selected primary care facilities linked through a cluster model in which four such facilities with the capacity to provide basic essential obstetric care are clustered around a secondary care facility with the capacity to provide comprehensive emergency obstetric care. This brief review is an attempt at exploring the impact of the midwives service scheme on maternal and neonatal indices in Nigeria. Main content: The outcome of the MSS four years has been an improvement though unevenly and marginally, in these indices in the various geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Improvements have been noticed in maternal indices such as antenatal care attendance, women receiving two doses of tetanus toxoid and number of deliveries by skilled personnel. Also reduction in maternal and neonatal mortality has been observed over the years following introduction of the scheme.
Major challenges however, include lack of essential drugs, poor accommodation facilities for MSS staff, irregular payment of their remuneration and lack of water/power supply to some designated facilities for the scheme. Recommendations and conclusions: It is therefore recommended that 24 hours availability of essential drugs at primary healthcare centers be maintained. This should happen in conjunction with regular payment of full entitlements and benefits and provision of secured, habitable and good accommodation for MSS staff. Finally, aggressive community mobilization should continue in order to engender community involvement and participation for sustainable program development.
Major challenges however, include lack of essential drugs, poor accommodation facilities for MSS staff, irregular payment of their remuneration and lack of water/power supply to some designated facilities for the scheme. Recommendations and conclusions: It is therefore recommended that 24 hours availability of essential drugs at primary healthcare centers be maintained. This should happen in conjunction with regular payment of full entitlements and benefits and provision of secured, habitable and good accommodation for MSS staff. Finally, aggressive community mobilization should continue in order to engender community involvement and participation for sustainable program development.