Bridging emergency contraceptive pill users to regular contraception: results from a randomized trial in Jamaica.

Background: Emergency contraception research has shifted from examining the public health effects of increasing access to emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) to bridging ECP users to a regular contraceptive method as a way of decreasing unintended pregnancies.

Study Design: In a randomized controlled trial in Jamaica, we tested a discount coupon for oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) among pharmacy-based ECP purchasers as an incentive to adopt (i.e.

HIV prevalence and related behaviors among sex workers in Jamaica.

Background: The aims of the study were to estimate HIV prevalence among sex workers (SWs) in Jamaica and to identify risk factors associated with HIV infection.

Method: Face to face interviews and HIV testing of 450 SWs across Jamaica were conducted in 2005. Participants were identified by key informants.

The influence of early sexual debut and sexual violence on adolescent pregnancy: a matched case-control study in Jamaica.

Context: Contraceptive knowledge and use at first sex have increased over time among Jamaican adolescents, yet high unintended pregnancy rates persist. More information on risk factors for adolescent pregnancy is needed to inform programs.

Methods: Structured interviews were conducted with 15-17-year-old females-250 who were currently pregnant and 500 sexually experienced, but never-pregnant, neighborhood-matched controls.

One versus multiple packs for women starting oral contraceptive pills: a comparison of two distribution regimens.

Background: Despite World Health Organization and International Planned Parenthood Federation recommendations to provide multiple pill cycles to new users, many programs in developing countries still give only one pill cycle to new acceptors.

Study Design: To compare provision of a single versus multiple packs of pills, new pill users in 20 matched public sector clinics in Jamaica were assigned to one of two pill regimens in which they received either one (then subsequently three) or four pill cycles at method initiation. The primary outcome was the proportion of women who used pills beyond 4 months.

Trends in HIV risk perception, condom use and sexual history among Jamaican youth, 1996-2004.

As the number of HIV/AIDS cases continues to increase among youth, aged 15-24 years, it becomes critically important to identify the factors that are contributing to this increase. Trends in perceived risk and risk behaviours were examined among youth by sex and age in an attempt to address this concern. National-level cross-sectional data across three time periods (1996, 2000, 2004) gathered from youths, aged 15-24 years in Jamaica for six outcomes were examined (perceived risk, ever had sex, initiation of sex before age 14, multiple sexual partnerships, condom use at last sex with regular and non-regular partners).

Sexual violence and reproductive health among young people in three communities in Jamaica.

A secondary analysis of data collected from 1,130 young people ages 15 to 24 in a population-based household survey to assess the reproductive health needs of young people in three communities in Jamaica was conducted to determine the relationships among three measures of sexual violence, background variables, three measures of sexual risk taking (early sexual debut, multiple partners, and no condom at last sex), and two reproductive health outcomes (genital discharge within the past 12 months and pregnancy). In the multivariate analyses, forced first sex increased the likelihood of genital discharge among males (odds ratio, OR = 5.33) and females (OR = 2.