Editorial: From sexual orientation to cochlear transplants in a tropical environment

Abstract

Welcome to this December issue of African Health Sciences in which we bring you topical subjects ranging from sexual orientation of University students 1 to HIV, TB and cochlear transplants in a tropical environment. The menu will have something for you and for all of us interested in health and development in Africa and among the diaspora. Reproductive health: South African and Thai researchers introduce us to the reproductive health discourse describing reasons non-use of contraception among university students in 22 countries 2 , while Nigerian authors tackle the issue of sexual orientation among university students in what has emerged as Africa's largest economy 3. Scandinavian researchers have also bravely tackled another emotive subject among women: skin bleaching. 4 Their findings are disturbing but not stunning. What we need are projects to sensitize women and men of colour on the physical, cultural and psychological dangers of skin bleaching.