Baby Boom
A dramatic increase in fertility rates and in the absolute number of births in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand during the period following World War II (1947-1961).
Barrier methods
Barrier methods of contraception prevent pregnancy by physically or chemically blocking the entrance of sperm into the uterine cavity. Some, particularly condoms, help to protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV infection. Barrier methods include cervical caps, condoms, diaphragms, female condoms, spermicides and sponges.
BBT
Basal Body Temperature (BBT) is a woman's resting body temperature goes up slightly after the release of an egg (ovulation), when she could become pregnant. Her temperature stays higher until the beginning of her next monthly bleeding.
Behaviour change (not ‘behavioural change')
Behaviour change is usually defined as the adoption and maintenance of healthy behaviours.
Behaviour change communication (BCC)
Behaviour change communication promotes tailored messages, personal risk assessment, greater dialogue, and an increased sense of ownership. Behaviour change communication is developed through an interactive process, with its messages and approaches using a mix of communication channels in order to encourage and sustain positive, healthy behaviours. See also ‘social change communication'.
BEmONC
Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC). See Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care facilities.
Birth cohort
A birth cohort is a group of people who were born in a specified calendar period.
Bidirectionality
The term ‘bidirectionality' describes both the linking of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) with HIV-related policies and programmes and the linking of HIV with SRH-related policies and programmes.
Billings' method (sometimes called the cervical mucus or ovulation method)
A method of contraception or body awareness which relies on recognizing and interpreting cyclic changes in cervical mucus that occur in response to changing estrogen levels. During a menstrual cycle a woman may experience different sensations at the opening of the vagina and changes in the characteristics of the cervical mucus. Couples practicing this technique can have sexual intercourse during both pre - and - post ovulatory phases, as it is possible to identify the infertile phase in both parts of the cycle by monitoring the mucus pattern.
Birth control
All methods of preventing births, including hormonal, barrier, natural family planning, abstinence and abortion.
Birth rate
The number of births in a population, usually in any given year, per 1,000 individuals. when provided without distinction by age, it is also known as Crude Birth Rate. When detailed by age group of women, it is called an Age-Specific Birth Rate.
Births averted
The measure of the number of births which have not occurred because of the effects of a family planning programme. It involves a number of assumptions about several aspects of the reproductive process and is not a precise figure.
Birth weight
The first weight of the foetus or newborn obtained after birth.
Blastocyst
A small mass of cells that results after several days of cell division by the fertilized egg.
Body awareness
The self-knowledge gained by monitoring, charting and understanding signs of fertility and infertility based on body changes (level and openness of the cervix, type of cervical mucous produced, temperature fluctuation patterns etc).
Brain Drain
Brain drain refers to the emigration of a significant proportion of a country's highly skilled population, usually to other countries offering better economic and social opportunity.
Breast self-examination (BSE)
Technique a woman uses to check her own breasts for unusual lumps or changes.
Bridging population (don't use)
The term ‘bridging population' (or ‘bridge population') describes a population at higher risk of HIV exposure whose members may have unprotected sexual relations with individuals who are otherwise at low risk of HIV exposure. Because HIV is transmitted by individual behaviours and not by groups, avoid using the term bridging population (or bridge population) and describe the behaviour instead
