Sample Abstract

 

1. Overview
2. Social Science Abstract
3. Science Abstract

Overview

Abstracts will be used to search for the actual article on our website:

* 2-3 Sentences on background
* 2-3 Sentences on the thesis/pitch/premise/main idea of the piece
* 2-3 Sentences on supporting arguments/evidence/ facts
* 2 Sentences discussion/implications of the argument
* 1-2 Sentences lessons learned/conclusions

Social Science Abstract

Title: May you be blessed with many sons – Son Preference in India leads to excessive Female Mortality. Word Count (150 words)

[Background/Context:] India is the largest contributor to the world's population, adding in excess of 18 million people each year. Unlike China, India does not enforce a strict one-child policy. Thus, academics theorize India's surplus of men may have a greater global impact on trade and international policy than China's excess male population. [Thesis/Pitch/Premise:] By examining the cultural underpinnings of India's past and present scenario of male-biased sex ratios, I argue that despite advancements in India's health care access, education, and affluence, the cultural preference for sons has led to rampant discrimination against its daughters, resulting in excessive female mortality. [Supporting Evidence/Facts:] This excessive female mortality is achieved through direct methods - feticide and infanticide, and indirect methods – neglect of females. [Conclusions:] Furthermore, instead of an expected increase in social value of women because of their relative rarity to men, I propose that the cultural value of Indian women will further decline because of the increased objectification and commodification of females.

Science Abstract

Title: Regular male partners of Kenyan female sex workers as a possible bridging population in the HIV pandemic

[Issues:] Peer-based HIV risk reduction interventions targeting female sex workers (FSWs) can decrease sexual risk taking and HIV/STI rates. However, sexual risk-taking with so-called "regular partners" (RPs) is more resistant to change. Consequently, RPs may act as a bridging population for the transmission of HIV/STIs between FSWs and the general population. [Description:] A pilot study was performed in Nairobi FSWs and their self-identified RPs. FSWs and RPs each completed behavioural questionnaires and provided biological samples at two different clinic sites. Condom use was reported on a scale of 1 (never) to 6 (always). Testing was performed for syphilis, HIV, Herpes simplex type 2, N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis. All participants received free male condoms, risk-reduction counseling, and HIV/STI treatment, including referral for antiretrovirals as needed. [Lessons learned:] Thirty-four FSW-RP pairs were enrolled; 26/34 FSWs were active in sex work. Women defined an RP as "like a husband" (21/34), or as a boyfriend or live-in partner (12/34), and had been in the relationship for a mean of 6.9 years (range; 1-348 months). Usually (28/34; 82%) the RP had originally been a casual client. Among active FSWs, condom use was lower with RPs than with casual clients or repeat clients (2.8 vs 6.0 and 5.3; P<0.001), and was lower with repeat clients than casual clients (5.3 vs 6.0; P=0.05). Concurrent sexual relationships were reported by 27/34 RPs (79%), with a mean of 4.6 women. Classical STIs were uncommon. HIV prevalence was 35% (12/34) in FSWs and 27% (9/34) in RPs. HIV status concordance was 89% (8/9), taking the HIV-infected RP as the index case. [Recommendations:] Sex workers and their RPs can be accessed for research and risk-taking interventions. High rates of partner concurrence, and a high HIV prevalence and concordance, mean that RPs may constitute an important "bridging population" in the HIV pandemic.