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Sex Education Programs In Singapore's Schools Should Provide Teens With Objective, Reliable Information, Education Ministry Says
The number of teenagers contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections has increased over the past several years, Singapore"s Education Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Thursday, the Straits Times reports. In 2008, 787 STIs were recorded among teenagers, a more than threefold increase from the 238 cases in 2002. In addition, nine new HIV cases were reported among teenagers in 2007, compared with one in 2002. According to Ng, the figures highlight the need for sex education programs. The programs also are needed because of increases in sexual activity and unintended pregnancies among teens, the Times reports. According to a 2006 Health Promotion Board and education ministry survey of 4,000 students between ages 14 and 19, about 8% reported being sexually active. In addition, less than one-quarter of sexually active teenagers reported using contraception to protect against STIs and unintended pregnancies. Changes in attitudes toward sex -- as well as the increased exposure teens have to information about sex -- only increase the need for schools to provide students with objective and reliable information about sex, according to Ng. He added that sex education programs in schools have changed since the programs were introduced in 2000. He said, "When we started, the key message was abstinence, reflecting the conservative social tone of our Asian society, where liberal values on sex are not espoused," adding, "This is not a negative facet of our society. It is not prudish, regressive or naç¯ve." Ng said that two years ago, the focus of sex education programs changed from abstinence to include information about how to prevent unintended pregnancies and STIs. He said, "In 2007, messages were added -- beyond knowing how to say no -- students were also taught the repercussions of unwanted pregnancies and STIs and HIV and how to prevent them. This is now a key focus of sexuality education, and should continue to be moving forward" (Tan, Straits Times, 5/22).
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World Bank To Give Nigeria $100M Loan For Malaria Control
Nigeria on Monday signed on to receive a $100 million loan from the World Bank for malaria control activities, Leadership Nigeria reports. The states of Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano and Rivers will receive part of the funding for malaria control activities (Nduwugwe, 7/21).World Bank Country Director for Nigeria Onno Ruhl signed the agreement on behalf of the bank and Nigerian Finance Minister Sarki Muhtar signed on behalf of the federal government. Ruhl said the World Bank is "confident" in Nigeria"s ability to fight malaria, This Day writes. Ruhl pointed out that during President Barack Obama"s recent trip to Ghana, he "commended" Nigeria"s interfaith efforts for fighting malaria. Drugshop to buy zoloft online and other pills.
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Scientists Shed New Light On Cause Of Inherited Movement Disorder
University of Utah School of Medicine researchers and their colleagues at University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center have found strong evidence that abnormal calcium signaling in neurons may play an important role in the development of spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2), a disorder causing progressive loss of coordination, speech difficulty, and abnormal eye movements. Their findings are published in the July 27, 2009 issue of Journal of Neuroscience.
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Uganda To Distribute ITNs To All Citizens

The Ugandan ministry of health said that everyone in the country will receive free insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) to prevent malaria beginning in September, James Kakooza, the state minister for primary health care, said, New Vision/allAfrica.com reports. Kakooza said children and mothers will be the priority, but that the goal is to make the 17.4 million imported ITNs available to everyone. The ITNs will supplement 6 million ITNs that were distributed over the last three years, Richard Ndyomugyenyi, the malaria control program officer, said. Countries that have distributed ITNs to all citizens have lowered malaria prevalence to one percent, Kakooza said, adding, "We can also do it here in Uganda. It is just a matter of time." The ministry aims to provide one net for every two people, he said. According to New Vision/allAfrica.com, Uganda spends about 1,200 billion shillings or about $408 million annually from public and private funds to manage malaria. It contributes 10 percent of its health budget to the disease. The distribution of ITNs is part of Uganda"s overall strategy to control malaria, which also includes indoor insecticide spraying, New Vision/allAfrica.com reports (Businge, New Vision/allAfrica.com, 6/17). This information was reprinted from globalhealth.kff.org with kind permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Global Health Policy Report, search the archives and sign up for email delivery at globalhealth.kff.org. © Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.


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