The HIV Spatial Data Repository is a new website especially designed for geographic information system (GIS) users interested in mapping HIV indicators. The website is one of the first in the world to provide HIV data, primarily from developing countries, for GIS purposes.

A new article in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence analyzes DHS data to examine spousal violence in Bangladesh. "Spousal Violence in Bangladesh as Reported by Men," by Kiersten Blair Johnson of Macro International and Maitreyi  Bordia Das of The World Bank, finds that nearly three out of four Bangladeshi men say they have ever hurt their wives. The authors found that men's attitudes towards wife-beating are the strongest predictor for violence.

An Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices indicator has been devised to capture the complementary feeding practices of children ages 6-23 months. The age window when most children falter in growth is 6-23 months, mainly due to poor complementary feeding practices.  USAID, WHO, and UNICEF support the use of this indicator to gather dietary information about this vulnerable age group.

This working paper examines men's condom use at last higher-risk sex (i.e., nonmarital, noncohabiting partner) in five sub-Saharan countries: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia. The two most recent DHS surveys in each country are analyzed to show trends in various indicators

Many countries in East and South Asia demonstrate a strong cultural preference for sons. The authors examine the influence of family size and composition on reproductive behavior in three South Asian countries-Nepal, India, and Bangladesh-that are known for strong son preference.  Data from recent Demographic and Health Surveys were analyzed to determine whether the choice of contraceptive method adopted (modern versus traditional; temporary versus permanent) and desire for another child differ by parity and sex composition of surviving children.