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Some Experts Remain Skeptical Of Withdrawal Method, Despite Recent Study On Effectiveness
Reproductive health experts were "taken aback" by a recent study that found that the withdrawal method is nearly as effective as male condoms in preventing pregnancy, the New York Times reports. The paper -- published in the June issue of the journal Contraception -- found that 4% of couples will become pregnant over a one-year period if they consistently use the withdrawal method, compared with about 2% of couples that consistently use condoms. According to the study"s authors, a more significant finding was that the rate of "typical use" for withdrawal leads to pregnancy 18% of the time, compared with 17% of the time for typical use of condoms. They wrote in the study that "it is unfortunate that some couples do not realize they are substantially reducing their risk of pregnancy when using withdrawal, as these misperceptions may cause unnecessary levels of anxiety. More speculatively, if more people realized that correct and consistent use of withdrawal substantially reduced the risk of pregnancy, they might use it more effectively." Although the authors said the goal of the paper was to encourage discussion, some experts are concerned that spreading a message that withdrawal is effective could lead young people to have unprotected sex, potentially exposing themselves to sexually transmitted infections that can be prevented through condom use, the Times reports. Melissa Gilliam, chief of family planning and contraceptive research at the University of Chicago"s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a board member of the Guttmacher Institute, said the study"s data "don"t necessarily translate to youth today." She added, "In terms of a reliable method used over and over again, the risk of failure is quite high."Rachel Jones, the lead author of the study and a senior research associate at Guttmacher, said that dismissing the withdrawal method as a "legitimate" form of contraception is "counterproductive for the prevention of pregnancy and also discourages academic inquiry into this frequently used and reasonably effective method." She also said that health educators and providers "should discuss withdrawal as a legitimate, if slightly less effective, contraceptive method in the same way they do condoms and diaphragms." She noted that "most women have used withdrawal at some point in their lives."The study"s authors decided to examine the issue after noticing that many researchers and providers "just kind of dismiss withdrawal and don"t seem to realize that it can prevent pregnancy," according to Jones. She added, "Most people seem to be under the impression that you might as well do nothing." Martha Kempner, vice president for information and communications at the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, said the results of the study have "made some classroom teachers nervous to give out the truth in this instance, but we do have to tell the truth." She added, "People, kids in particular, they"re using it. It is better than nothing, and it is always available" (Belluck, New York Times, 7/21).
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Study Investigates DNA Of Sleep
A new study at the University of Leicester aims to investigate the DNA of sleep. The research in the renowned Department of Genetics at the University of Leicester is being carried out by Ms Mobina Khericha and Dr Eran Tauber. It represents a new approach to study the genetics of sleep. Using fruitflies as models the researchers aim at understanding the genetics of sleep and identifying genes involved in this process.
News of the day
First Confirmed Case Of 2009 H1N1 Flu In Navajo County
Navajo County Public Health Services District officials announced today the first case of 2009 H1N1 in Navajo County. The Arizona Department of Health Services Lab confirmed that an 18 year old patient at Little Colorado Medical Center tested positive for the illness. The patient has subsequently been treated and released.
Endocrinology

Kaiser Permanente Survey Shows Seniors Embrace Internet To Manage Their Health

New data show that Medicare beneficiaries registered to use My Health Manager, Kaiser Permanente"s personal health record, are overwhelmingly satisfied with using the Internet to manage their health care online. Results from the recent Kaiser Permanente survey examining Web site usage and Medicare beneficiary satisfaction were presented today at the World Health Care Congress" 5th Annual Leadership Summit on Medicare in Washington, D.C. The e-mail survey received 4,560 responses and had a response rate of 23 percent. It looked at respondents" comfort in using computers, Internet use habits, and current health status, including chronic conditions and prescriptions. "The extraordinarily high satisfaction rate of the survey respondents - all 65 and older - reinforces what we are learning among the general population: When a PHR like My Health Manager (www.kp.org/myhealthmanager) is thoughtfully designed for an easy and convenient user experience, individuals will engage more fully in managing their own health," said Jan Oldenburg, senior practice leader, Internet Services Group Health Portfolio, Kaiser Permanente. "The biggest surprise from the survey was discovering that the typical Kaiser Permanente Medicare beneficiary who is registered to use My Health Manager is very comfortable with computers, using the Internet daily and reviewing their medical record online a few times each month." According to the survey, online appointment requests, the ability to e-mail your doctor and review test results online all contribute to overall satisfaction with My Health Manager, but respondents were most happy with the prescription refill feature. The survey also showed that most respondents reported being in good or better health (70 percent), and that members who reported being in excellent health are significantly more engaged in their health care than those who said they are in poor health. "As people age, they become less mobile," added Oldenburg. "My Health Manager increases a patient"s access to caregivers and health information from their own home. Having these capabilities online helps meet the health care needs of older adults." Kaiser Permanente also participated in a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services-sponsored study on PHR use among Medicare members, the results of which are expected to be available later this year. My Health Manager is directly connected to Kaiser Permanente HealthConnect((R)), one of the most robust and sophisticated electronic health records anywhere. My Health Manager is a free service available to all Kaiser Permanente members. About Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America"s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 8.6 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. Kaiser Permanente


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