The multi-cultural and multi-ethnic Nigerian society belongs to those developing countries where adolescents age 15-19 years, make up for the largest and growing age bracket of the total population. While reliable statistics on health issues are hardly available in Nigeria, it is estimated that over 60 percent of Nigerian women underwent some form of genital mutilation, which is responsible for a multitude of health problems later. Thus, this research explored issues of high political and social relevance in Nigeria as well as in international discussions from the World Health Organization to internationally operating non-governmental organizations of women's rights activists. The study gives a comprehensive discussion of cross-national studies on abortion and contraception, and on the effects of liberalizing the laws on it. The study adopted qualitative methodological techniques for the gathering of data by relying on focus group discussions and interviews of the target population-adolescents, as well as adults, orthodox and unorthodox medical experts. Finally, this empirical research provides a solid basis for further sociological research on the conditions of adolescent females' health and for practical steps in improving the Nigerian health care system. Contents: Abortion and Contraception: a cross national trend - Religion and abortion - Legal politics of abortion - Female circumcision, cultural mutilation and identity - The politics of culture and female circumcision - The legal violation of female circumcision - Religion and female circumcision - HIV/AIDS infections in Nigeria - Adolescents, STDs and HIV/AIDS infection - Women's movement and reproductive health rights in Nigeria- The Nigerian constitution and the woman - Women and Sexuality amongst Urhobo and Okpe ethnic groups - Ethnography of Nigeria - Presentation and analysis of research data and discourse analysis of the hypotheses on abortion, contraception and female circumcision - Evalu

Experts estimate that nearly 60 percent of all U.S. pregnancies--and 81 percent of pregnancies among adolescents--are unintended. Yet the topic of preventing these unintended pregnancies has long been treated gingerly because of personal sensitivities and public controversies, especially the angry debate over abortion. Additionally, child welfare advocates long have overlooked the connection between pregnancy planning and the improved well-being of families and communities that results when children are wanted. Now, current issues--health care and welfare reform, and the new international focus on population--are drawing attention to the consequences of unintended pregnancy. In this climate The Best Intentions offers a timely exploration of family planning issues from a distinguished panel of experts. This committee sheds much-needed light on the questions and controversies surrounding unintended pregnancy. The book offers specific recommendations to put the United States on par with other developed nations in terms of contraceptive attitudes and policies, and it considers the effectiveness of over 20 pregnancy prevention programs. The Best Intentions explores problematic definitions--"unintended" versus "unwanted" versus "mistimed"--and presents data on pregnancy rates and trends. The book also summarizes the health and social consequences of unintended pregnancies, for both men and women, and for the children they bear. Why does unintended pregnancy occur? In discussions of "reasons behind the rates," the book examines Americans' ambivalence about sexuality and the many other social, cultural, religious, and economic factors that affect our approach to contraception. The committee explores the complicated web of peer pressure, life aspirations, and notions of romance that shape an individual's decisions about sex, contraception, and pregnancy. And the book looks at such practical issues as the attitudes of doctors toward birth control and the place of contraception in both health insurance and "managed care." The Best Intentions offers frank discussion, synthesis of data, and policy recommendations on one of today's most sensitive social topics. This book will be important to policymakers, health and social service personnel, foundation executives, opinion leaders, researchers, and concerned individuals. May

The evaluation of reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) by the Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (DCP3) focuses on maternal conditions, childhood illness, and malnutrition. Specifically, the chapters address acute illness and undernutrition in children, principally under age 5. It also covers maternal mortality, morbidity, stillbirth, and influences to pregnancy and pre-pregnancy. Volume 3 focuses on developments since the publication of DCP2 and will also include the transition to older childhood, in particular, the overlap and commonality with the child development volume. The DCP3 evaluation of these conditions produced three key findings: 1. There is significant difficulty in measuring the burden of key conditions such as unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion, nonsexually transmitted infections, infertility, and violence against women. 2. Investments in the continuum of care can have significant returns for improved and equitable access, health, poverty, and health systems. 3. There is a large difference in how RMNCH conditions affect different income groups; investments in RMNCH can lessen the disparity in terms of both health and financial risk.

Theoretical Perspectives on Gender and Development demytsifies the theory of gender and development and shows how it plays an important role in everyday life. It explores the evolution of gender and development theory, introduces competing theoretical frameworks, and examines new and emerging debates. The focus is on the implications of theory for policy and practice, and the need to theorize gender and development to create a more egalitarian society. This book is intended for classroom and workshop use in the fields ofdevelopment studies, development theory, gender and development, and women's studies. Its clear and straightforward prose will be appreciated by undergraduate and seasoned professional, alike. Classroom exercises, study questions, activities, and case studies are included. It is designed for use in both formal and nonformal educational settings.