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Armed Conflicts, Hiv Testing, Hiv Prevalence, And High-Risk Sexual Behaviors: An Epidemiologic Analysis, Aissatou Thilo Ba

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Armed conflicts have a wide array of consequences on health and behavior possibly serving a role in the spread of HIV, yet there is limited research on the quantitative association between armed conflicts and HIV. To address this gap in the literature, we evaluated the effect of armed conflicts on HIV testing, HIV prevalence, and high-risk sexual behaviors, using Demographic and Health Surveys data from 11 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (years 2010 to 2018) and the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data. We hypothesized that armed conflicts, measured using number of conflict days, fatalities, or distance to nearest conflict, would …

Barriers To Hiv Testing Among Cameroonian Men : The Role Of Stigma And The Impact Of Covid-19, Heidi Iyok

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

ABSTRACT

Timing Of Antiretroviral Initiation And Virologic Outcomes Among Hiv-Positive Adults In Ukraine (2010--2015), Yaroslav Zelinskyi

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Background and introduction:

Traditional Latinx Gender Role Norms And Exposure To Sexual Health Programming For Latinx Men Who Have Sex With Men (Lmsm), Austin Connor Eklund

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Latinx men who have sex with men (LMSM) are at significantly greater risk for HIV infection than their non-Latinx peers. One important way of helping prevent the spread of HIV is exposing vulnerable populations to HIV prevention programming. Little is known about what factors predict exposure to HIV prevention programming for LMSM. Given extant links between traditional masculine gender role norms and health outcomes, this study sought to examine possible relations between constructs of machismo, caballerismo, and heterosexual self-presentation, along with demographic covariates, and exposure to HIV prevention programming among LMSM. Among the 530 LMSM in our sample, 89% reported …

Anxiety Among Women Living With Hiv In Kazakhstan, Kathryn Emily Mishkin

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Research shows that mental illness has an impact on the health and quality of life of women living with HIV. As a result, many countries have adopted integrated care models to provide holistic treatment to women living with HIV. However, some countries, where the HIV burden is particularly high, have been ineffective at addressing the mental health needs of these women, primarily because of a compartmentalized health care structure that limits interaction among sectors. By describing the prevalence of anxiety and comorbid anxiety-depression among women living with HIV in affected areas, there is an opportunity for effective policies to be …

The Aids Volcano : Narratives Of Hiv/Aids In The Iranian Public Sphere, Elham Pourtaher

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Broadly construed, this thesis will examine the transformations in the socio-cultural construction of HIV/AIDS in Iran from the joint perspectives of media and medical sociology. Until recently, official public narratives in Iran primarily regarded AIDS to be a drug-related disease. However, beginning from the early 2010s, a new narrative frame (often called as “the third wave”) introduces a significant “alarming” collective shift in the transmissions modes of the disease toward sexual pathways. Having observed the rather rapid transformation of the public AIDS framing, this research began with an empirical question: considering the fact that the shift implied the prevalence of …

The Potential Mechanisms Of Impaired Pneumococcal Vaccine Responses In Aging Hiv-Positive Individuals, Myroslawa Happe

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

The introduction of antiretroviral therapy has significantly reduced HIV-related morbidity and mortality and transformed HIV infection into a chronic disease. Consequently, the life expectancy of HIV-positive individuals considerably improved leading to a rapid growth of the aging HIV-positive population. Together, advanced age and HIV infection increase susceptibility to potentially deadly infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Despite preventative approaches, such as pneumococcal vaccination, it remains a challenge to induce potent and durable immune responses against pneumococcal polysaccharides in HIV-positive persons and invasive pneumococcal disease rates remain 35-fold higher as compared to healthy individuals. Poor responses to vaccine antigens in HIV+ individuals …

The Risk Spiral Model: Systemic Factors That Feed Mass Incarceration, High Risk Behaviors, Hiv And Other Sexually Transmitted Infections For African American Males, Lauresa Washington Mccoy

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

The U.S. corrections system continues to have an over representation of black males. A long legacy of practices, including convict leasing, lynchings, and police brutality, have shaped the history of African American males and the criminal justice system (Mauer, 1999). Few studies exist on the impact of mass incarceration in African American communities and its contributory impact on the degradation of the public health infrastructure within these communities. In this qualitative study, the researcher will capture and analyze the flow of African American males before, during and after incarceration and the associated prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, other Sexually Transmitted …

The Impacts Of Hiv-Specific Criminal Laws On Hiv Serostatus Disclosure, Risk Behaviors, And Hiv Testing, Shao-Chiu Juan

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Before the advent of anti-retroviral therapy (ART), many states enacted and strictly enforced laws that criminalized HIV transmission. These laws were enacted to prevent HIV-infected individuals from knowingly transmitting the virus to the uninfected. Over the past two decades, however, questions have been raised regarding the effectiveness of HIV criminalization and its unintended consequences. For example, there is little evidence that the criminalization of HIV transmission has been effective in reducing the spread of the disease, particularly when compared to education and other prevention efforts. Moreover, stigmatization associated with criminalization may actually undermine public health efforts. The dissertation aims to …

Examining The Utilization Of Hiv Preventive Services In The Transgender Population Compared To The Cisgender Population Of New York State : Results From The New York State Aids Institute Information Reporting System (Airs) Data From 2014 To 2016, Zohra Afzal

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

ABSTRACT

Improving Hiv Outcomes In Pakistan : The Interaction Between Politics, Power And Implementation, Hina Khalid

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

HIV contributes to the highest number of deaths from infectious diseases in low-income countries. In this three-paper dissertation, using the case of Pakistan, I focus on understanding how the exercise of power by actors at three different levels of the health system, individual, program and societal, influences policy implementation and shapes HIV program outcomes. The objective is to improve HIV service provision thereby achieving improved health policy outcomes. I adopt a mixed-methods approach and use quantitative (logit regression) and qualitative techniques (content analysis of newspapers and semi-structured interviews). One paper tests the role played by network operators in influencing condom …

Association Between Hiv And Violence Among Female Commercial Sex Workers In Ukraine : Analysis Of Bio-Behavioral Surveillance Conducted In 2015-2016, Ganna Momotyuk

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

A cross-sectional analysis investigated the association between HIV and violence in female commercial sex workers (FCSW) in Ukraine between 10/2015 and 01/2016. Methods: 3,885 FCSW from a total of 4,300 were questioned about behavioral and social demographics and tested for HIV in mobile testing van. Results: of the 3,885 respondents, 5.89% were HIV positive, and 47.00% had experienced violence. We tested for and found that drug use was an effect modifier for the association between HIV and violence. Analyses were stratified by injecting drug use and no injecting drug use. High risk for HIV was found in the non-IDU stratum …

Hiv Care Outcomes Among Hiv-Infected Women With A Live Birth In New York State, Carol-Ann Swain

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Background: Little is known about factors that predict maternal retention in postpartum HIV-related medical care and maternal HIV viral suppression in the first year postpartum among HIV-infected women in the United States.

Correlates Of Life-Time History Of Purchasing Sex Services By Men In Saint Petersburg And Leningrad Oblast, Russian Federation, Polina Girchenko

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Background. Commercial sex workers (CSW) in Russian Federation are at high risk of HIV infection and transmission as a result of unsafe sexual and injecting behaviors. Their clients might be at increased risk of acquiring HIV; however, little is known about the population of men purchasing sex services. This study’s goal is to investigate factors associated with a history of purchasing sex services by men in Saint Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast, Russian Federation.

Untreated Depression In Persons Living With Hiv In Kazakhstan, Dina Terloyeva

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Objective:This study investigates the occurrence of depressive symptoms among persons living with HIV, and the relationship between depressive symptoms and HIV treatment initiation and adherence.

Picturing Life: Using Photo Journals To Explore Challenges And Supports For Women Living With Hiv (Wl-Hiv), Toshua Willingham Kennedy

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a health-related stigmatizing condition that progresses to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), characterized by a weakened immune system and opportunistic diseases. South Carolina ranks eighth for AIDS prevalence in the United States, and for socioeconomic reasons, women, specifically minority women, in the southern region of the country experience the worst clinical outcomes after receiving an HIV diagnosis. Research that focuses on strategies to improve clinical outcomes for women living with HIV (WL-HIV) has great value in promoting empowerment and health equity especially among minority women. The current study used a participatory research design to collaborate …

Medication Use And Patients Co-Infected With Human Immunodeficiency Virus And Hepatitis C Virus : Quantifying The Prevalence And Identifying The Predictors Of Clinically Significant Drug-Drug Interactions Associated With Therapy Containing First Generation Non-Structural 3a Serine Protease Inhibitors, Nimish Patel

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This dissertation enhances our understanding of clinically significant drug-drug interactions (CSDDIs) and contraindicated drug interactions among patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection before and after the addition of HCV therapy including first generation non-structural (NS) 3A serine protease inhibitors. This is important to understand because the clinical sequelae of untreated chronic HCV infection are devastating yet drug-drug interactions greatly complicate treatment for these patients. The HIV/HCV coinfected population is a population that is particularly vulnerable because they are using a high volume of medications. Specifically, the standard of care for patients with HIV infection …

Negotiated Bodies : Institution Building And Participatory Policymaking In Mexico's Public Health Sector, Katherine Truby

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This dissertation examines the relationships between the state and civil society organizations within the context of HIV policy in Mexico. The Mexican context is important in this analysis: Mexico has relatively recently transitioned to a more democratic form of governance, including expanding institutional opportunities for civil society organizations to participate in processes of policy development and implementation. Further, Mexico has an HIV epidemic that is concentrated in the most at-risk communities. These communities typically face political and social exclusion. The extent to which civil society organizations advocating on behalf of these marginalized communities successfully negotiate the creation of new policy …

Sex Work And Daily Alcohol Use May Increase Hiv Risks Of Women Who Inject Drugs In Ukraine, Tetyana Vasylyeva

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Background: Between 10 - 50% of female PWID in former USSR countries, where HIV epidemics are driven by injecting drug use, are reported to exchange sex for money, drugs or goods. Research in the region shows contradictory data on the association between exchange sex and HIV for PWID, and suggests that this association might be influenced by other factors. Since female PWID who exchange sex might be a bridge population between PWID and other people, it is important to monitor their risks and suggest timely interventions.

A Biblical Hiv/Aids Mitigation Strategy In The Oyugis Central Adventist Church, Kenya, Tom Eli Arunga Ogal

Professional Dissertations DMin

Problem

HIV/AIDS is an epidemic that has and continues to adversely impact the quality of life of not only the members of the Oyugis Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, but of the community in general. Its negative impact touches the social, economic, political, and demographic fabric of society. It is robbing the Adventist Church and society in general of requisite human resource through death and sickness, and is adversely challenging the church’s competencies to effectively engage in its mission.

Method

The Logical Framework Approach (LFA) was used to present the strategy. A Gantt chart was also be used to detail the …

Bugchaser: Protective Measures, Scott Laforce

Theses

Using photographic installation and new media, Bugchaser: Protective Measures examines risk in response to perceived danger as engaged by bug chasers (or bugchasers) and suburbanites in the United States. The work explores this theme through the contrasting nature of queer social networks and the physical boundaries of the suburban landscape.

Ultimately, this work uproots conventional notions of intimacy as conscribed by the suburban middle-class and de-stigmatizes unconventional behaviors by challenging boundaries that needlessly divide. I have taken liberty with metaphor and used it in an attempt to reverse some of the damages brought forth through historical practices. If the viewer …

The Potential For Bridging : Hiv Status Awareness And Risky Sexual Behavior Of Injection Drug Users Who Have Non-Injecting Permanent Partners In Ukraine, Alyona Mazhnaya

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Abstract

In Utero Exposure To Antiretroviral Medication And Congenital Malformation Outcomes In New York State 1998-2010, Stephen Goins

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Objective: To examine the relationships between HIV ARV use during pregnancy and congenital malformations outcomes in New York State.

Depressive Symptoms, Neuropsychological Performance, And Cognitive Complaints Among Individuals With Hiv, Andrea Lynn Hobkirk

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The rates of depression and neuropsychological impairment in HIV-positive populations are considerably higher than the general population. Consistent research suggests that depression is not related to cognitive impairment in HIV, however the majority of these studies were conducted with unidimensional or dichotomous measures of depression, weak methodologies, and small sample sizes. There is limited research suggesting that affective and somatic depressive symptoms alone may be associated with neuropsychological impairment in HIV, possibly through central nervous system dysfunction, yet no study to date has assessed this relation with an adequate sample size and a full neuropsychological battery. In addition, no study …

Synthesis And Analysis Of Alkylated 1-Benzazepines For Use As Prospective Analogues For Targeted Hiv-1 Drug Therapy, Allen Ko

Student Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Hiv/Aids Knowledge And Condom Use Among Reproductive Age Women In Georgia, Lia Gvinjilia

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Objective: To assess changes in HIV/AIDS knowledge over a decade with substantial educational efforts and reported condom use.

Interactions Of The Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Nucleocapsid Protein With Non-Hiv-Derived Nucleic Acids : Implications For The Viral Replication Cycle, Abhijit Padmakar Jadhav

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

During attempts to develop aptamers that bind to the nucleocapsid protein of HIV-1 (i.e. NCp7) with high affinity, a heretofore unreported property of the protein--the ability to mediate degradation of nucleic acids, was discovered. Using λ DNA as a model nucleic acid system, it was shown that NCp7-mediated degradation of nucleic acids is non-specific, depends on incubation time, the concentration of NCp7, and the presence of divalent and monovalent cations. It was further demonstrated that degradation can be abrogated if NCp7 is pre-incubated with NCp7-inhibitors. Lyophilization of NCp7 can induce irreversible changes in its secondary structure that result in loss …

Migrant Workers In Kazakhstan : Gender Differences In Hiv Knowledge And Sexual Risk Behaviors, Baurzhan Zhussupov

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Background:

Synthesis Of Alkylated-1-Benzazepines As Prospective Analogues Of B-Chemokine Receptor Ccr5 Antagonists For Treatment Of Hiv / Aids, Laura Boulos

Student Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Immunoglobin And Fcγ Receptor Genes Influence The Control Of Hiv Replication And The Progression Of Hiv Infection, Ray Deepe

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

HIV is an infection affecting approximately 33 million people worldwide especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeastern Asia. HIV infection is marked by the loss of CD4+ T-cells and is the causative agent of AIDS. Host genetic factors have been shown to influence the progression and outcome of HIV infection, but the genes identified thus far account for approximately 15% of the variance observed in viral load and progression, suggesting involvement of additional genes in HIV pathogenesis. FcyRIIa and FcyRIIIa genotypes have been shown to be influential in the transmission, control, and progression of HIV. These receptors contain polymorphisms that influence …