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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Adverse Childhood Experiences And Hiv Risk Behaviors Among Transgender Populations, Linda Baggio
Adverse Childhood Experiences And Hiv Risk Behaviors Among Transgender Populations, Linda Baggio
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have a negative impact on health and have created a social challenge in managing HIV risk behavior in the transgender population. The aim of this study was to determine the association between ACEs and HIV risk behavior among the transgender population and identify the association between ACE score (1, 2, 3, 4, or more) and HIV risk behavior among the transgender population. This involved a quantitative methodology using a Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) questionnaire to obtain data from 323 transgender participants. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between ACEs and HIV …
Effects Of Perpetrator Types And Gender-Based Violence On Condom Use Among Tanzanian Female Sex Workers, Lashonda Hall
Effects Of Perpetrator Types And Gender-Based Violence On Condom Use Among Tanzanian Female Sex Workers, Lashonda Hall
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
HIV status among female sex workers (FSWs) continues to be a significant public health concern. Condom use is associated with HIV cases among FSWs. Gender-based violence (GBV) plays a role in FSWs HIV status. While studies have investigated the relationship between GBV and condom use, little is known about the impact of factors such as perpetrator type and substance use. I aimed to examine whether perpetrator type and substance use affect the relationship between GBV and condom use among FSWs in Tanzania. Secondary data analysis was performed on 1,502 FSWs extracted from the 2020 Tanzanian, John Hopkins Program for International …
Challenges To Successful Health Care Transition Among Hiv Positive Youth With Perinatal Acquisition, Tyler Andrew Termeer
Challenges To Successful Health Care Transition Among Hiv Positive Youth With Perinatal Acquisition, Tyler Andrew Termeer
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
To ensure stability in the continuum of health care for HIV-positive youth with perinatal acquisition, there is a need for a successful transition from pediatric to adult primary care. However, there are a growing number of perinatally infected HIV-positive young persons remaining in pediatric care beyond the age of 21. Using Mohr’s program theory and a phenomenological approach, the lived experiences of Ohio HIV clinicians were examined to determine why many perinatally infected HIV-positive youths are remaining in pediatric care beyond the age of 21. Audio recorded video interviews via SKYPE were conducted with 12 participants, transcribed, underwent thematic analysis, …
Substance Use, Mental Health Problems And Missed Appointments By Race, Gender, And Sexual Orientation Among Hiv-Infected Individuals, Abraham Adonis Anderson
Substance Use, Mental Health Problems And Missed Appointments By Race, Gender, And Sexual Orientation Among Hiv-Infected Individuals, Abraham Adonis Anderson
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) disproportionately affects African American men who have sex with men. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2020 African American adult and adolescent African American men accounted for 42% (16,002) of all HIV diagnoses (37,968). Furthermore, while substance use is common among this population, in previous studies very few individuals with HIV have reported receiving substance abuse treatment or discussing substance use with HIV medical providers. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in substance use/mental health problems by race, gender, and sexual orientation among HIV-infected individuals. This study also …
Leadership, Quality Improvement, Team Functionality, And Hiv Viral Load Suppression In Uganda, Esther Karungi Karamagi Nkolo
Leadership, Quality Improvement, Team Functionality, And Hiv Viral Load Suppression In Uganda, Esther Karungi Karamagi Nkolo
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Low viral load suppression rate is a significant public health issue in Uganda and similar countries. A nationwide quality improvement (QI) initiative was implemented from January 2019 to improve viral load suppression. Although QI team characteristics have been shown to influence the success of such QI initiatives, no studies have been found to understand how they influence the success of QI efforts to improve HIV viral load suppression in Uganda. The purpose of this cross-sectional, quantitative study was to determine whether there is a significant association between HIV clinic leader involvement in QI teams, QI team functionality, QI team diversity, …
Multimorbidity, Healthcare Processes, And Mortality Among Tb/Hiv Patients Treated With Antiretroviral Therapy In Uganda, Abel Nkolo
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Globally, Uganda is one of the 30 tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) high burden countries with high antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage, yet mortality is still high among TB/HIV patients on ART. The reasons for the high mortality have not been fully explored. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between multimorbidity, age, sex, marital status, phase of TB treatment, timing of initiation for ART, and type of TB and mortality among TB/HIV patients on ART in Uganda. The health outcomes conceptual framework with 3 domains that directly or indirectly affect the outcome domain was used …
Predictors Of Hiv Testing Amongst Women Of Childbearing Age In Nigeria, Hassana Bashir Yakasai
Predictors Of Hiv Testing Amongst Women Of Childbearing Age In Nigeria, Hassana Bashir Yakasai
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
HIV infection is still a public health issue in Nigeria. One of the sustainable development goal targets is to eliminate new HIV infections by the year 2030. Women of childbearing age are a vital group to focus on in eliminating new infections because HIV infection can be transmitted from women to their partners and their children. Nigeria accounts for about one-third of the cases of mother-to-child infections in the world. The purpose of this three manuscript dissertation was to investigate socioecological factors, demographic factors and knowledge of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection (MTCT) as they relate to HIV testing in …
Exploring Barriers To Care: Provider Efforts To Improve Retention In Urban-Rural Clusters, Kenyata M. Fletcher
Exploring Barriers To Care: Provider Efforts To Improve Retention In Urban-Rural Clusters, Kenyata M. Fletcher
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
AbstractOver the years, the infection rates for HIV in the United States has changed partly due to lack of engagement and medication adherence which can lead to substantial declines in individual health. Factors that contribute to the individual’s adherence can include transportation cost, childcare, and lack of finances to name a few. These barriers can often be decreased with the help of supportive service providers and improvement in the patient-provider relationship. Currently, there is limited research that explores how to reduce patient barriers to care, specifically in rural areas. This qualitative study examines how Illinois health care providers help HIV-positive …
Effects Of Hepatitis On Human Immunodeficiency Virus Viral Suppression, Andrenita Checoby West
Effects Of Hepatitis On Human Immunodeficiency Virus Viral Suppression, Andrenita Checoby West
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and viral hepatitis leads to unfavorable health outcomes, making treatment of HIV difficult and increasing the odds of HIV transmission. The purpose of this study is to assess whether viral hepatitis (B and C) hinders HIV viral suppression and impacts the white blood cell count (CD4) when a person is concurrently infected with both viruses. The syndemics theory guided this study. Two research questions tested whether there was an association between coinfection with viral hepatitis and HIV viral load suppression. The research design was quantitative case-control with secondary data from 65,626 reports of HIV, …
Receiving Positive Hiv Test Results From Home Testing And Suicidality, Nekeisha A. Hewitt
Receiving Positive Hiv Test Results From Home Testing And Suicidality, Nekeisha A. Hewitt
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Limited studies have been conducted on whether receiving a positive result from at-home HIV testing correlates with suicidality (suicidal attempt or ideation). Based on the Ajzen theory of planned behavior, this cross-sectional study comprises a surveyed convenience sample of (N = 213) HIV -positive or negative adults who either tested for HIV at home or in-clinic. The purpose of this study was to explore any association between testing positive for HIV using the HIV at-home test kit and (a) suicidal attempt and (b) suicidal ideation; also, to discover any association between (c) HIV-negative and suicidality and (d) all HIV-positives …
Age-Of-Consent Policies And Hiv Among Adolescents In Sub-Sahara Africa, Suzanne Marie King
Age-Of-Consent Policies And Hiv Among Adolescents In Sub-Sahara Africa, Suzanne Marie King
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Age of consent policies have recently been identified as a barrier to HIV testing among adolescents in HIV endemic Sub-Sahara Africa. Grounded in the modified social ecological model, the purpose of this study was to determine if these policies were related to HIV testing rates and prevalence. In this quantitative research secondary data sets from the Demographic Health Survey were used. This study included all sexually active respondents aged 18 years or below (N=37,015) and then was further limited by respondents that had HIV test results (N=25,107). Binary logistic regression showed that respondents with lower age of consent had higher …
Voluntary Male Circumcision And Risk For Human Immunodeficiency Virus In Homa Bay, Kenya, George Obhai Gabriel
Voluntary Male Circumcision And Risk For Human Immunodeficiency Virus In Homa Bay, Kenya, George Obhai Gabriel
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The role played by the belief about voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) in predicting HIV status has not been examined. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there were any differences between belief about VMMC, unprotected sex, age, number of sexual partners, relationship status, and HIV status among circumcised males aged between 18-49 years in Homa Bay County, Kenya. Drawing from the health belief model and case-control study design, 936 men were recruited based on their HIV status (468 HIV cases and 468 controls). A bivariate logistic regression was applied, and the results indicated that unprotected sex, age, …
Risks For Hiv Infection Among Adolescent Girls And Young Women In Mozambique, Isabelle Casavant
Risks For Hiv Infection Among Adolescent Girls And Young Women In Mozambique, Isabelle Casavant
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) living in Sub-Saharan African countries constitute 17% of the population, yet they account for one third of all new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. To prevent HIV infections among AGYW, it is necessary to understand why they are disproportionally infected. The purpose of the dissertation was to identify risk for HIV among AGYW living in a southern district of Mozambique. The analysis was driven by the Modified Socio Ecological Model and performed using a quantitative dataset collected for the Chokwe Combination Prevention of HIV (N=3354). Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess whether an …
Impact Of Education On Hiv Testing Among African American Women In The United States, Florence Matimbah Mbangowah
Impact Of Education On Hiv Testing Among African American Women In The United States, Florence Matimbah Mbangowah
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Improved and increased human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing among African American women in the United States could facilitate early detection of the virus. The purpose of this cross-sectional quantitative study was to determine if there was a significant association between HIV testing participation and education level (i.e., high school, college, post-college level) based on access to healthcare after accounting for insurance, income, employment, marital status, English language proficiency, and vision quality. The integrated theory of health behavior change, the theoretical framework used for this research, proposes that changes in health behavior can be improved by various factors such as fostering …
Hiv/Sti Screening, Testing, And Prophylaxis Among Sexual Assault Survivors In U. S. Emergency Departments, Elizabeth A. Cita
Hiv/Sti Screening, Testing, And Prophylaxis Among Sexual Assault Survivors In U. S. Emergency Departments, Elizabeth A. Cita
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Use of HIV screening/testing and prophylaxis has been found to be low in the general emergency department (ED) population. Less is known about the use of HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, testing, and prophylaxis among sexual assault survivors who present to EDs. The main research questions asked whether there was a relationship between race, socioeconomic status (SES), geographic region, or age, HIV/STI, treatment, and prophylaxis among sexual assault survivors that present to U.S. EDs. This study was a secondary analysis of data collected in the NHAMCS years 2010 to 2016 and included 112 geographic primary sampling units, about 480 hospitals. …
Predictors Of Hiv Testing Among African American Men Who Have Sex With Men, Jeanette Marie Higgins
Predictors Of Hiv Testing Among African American Men Who Have Sex With Men, Jeanette Marie Higgins
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections affect more than 1.2 million people living in the United States and disproportionately affect African Americans (AA) men who have sex with men (MSM). The numbers of those who have HIV infections are likely higher due to lack of HIV testing by all individuals living at risk for HIV in the United States. Prior research has been inconclusive in determining the exact cause of the disparity among AA MSM. Therefore, the purpose of this quantitative secondary data study was to explore barriers to HIV testing within the AA MSM population. The sample for this study …
Social Support And Hiv Among Young Transwomen Of Color, Cynthia Joycelle Tucker
Social Support And Hiv Among Young Transwomen Of Color, Cynthia Joycelle Tucker
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
HIV is an emerging epidemic among young transgender women of color (YTWC). Researchers have documented the challenges and issues that YTWC encounter, including discrimination, isolation, and violence. However, little is known about whether social support can impact these challenges as an avenue to improve HIV preventive behaviors and HIV status. Using secondary data from the Life Skills HIV study, this research assessed how social support affects HIV preventive behaviors among 298 YTWC residing in Chicago. The study was grounded in the modified social-ecological model and Spearman’s rank correlation and logistic regression analyses was used to determine whether there was an …
Practitioners’ Perceptions Of Medical Compliance Among Homeless Clients With Hiv And A Mental Health Diagnosis, Kyle Samuel Berkley
Practitioners’ Perceptions Of Medical Compliance Among Homeless Clients With Hiv And A Mental Health Diagnosis, Kyle Samuel Berkley
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Previous research on HIV medical adherence has focused on incentive-based interventions, while previous research with the chronically homeless has focused on substance abuse, mental illness, and health disparities. This qualitative study focused on the experiences and perceptions of medical providers in a metropolitan area who work on medical adherence with homeless people living with HIV and mental illness. Ecological systems theory provided foundation to explore how medical providers form interventions based on clients’ ecosystems. The data were collected via audio-recorded, semi-structured interviews with 15 case managers, mental health therapists, nurses, and primary care physicians who worked at outpatient medical centers. …
Socio-Economic Determinants Of Risky Sexual Behavior In Sub-Saharan Africa, Frida Tende
Socio-Economic Determinants Of Risky Sexual Behavior In Sub-Saharan Africa, Frida Tende
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Risky sexual behavior (RSB) is a major public health concern due to health outcomes, such as HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, and unwanted pregnancies. RSB has been identified as 1 of the main components contributing to the high HIV incidence rate in sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of the current research was to investigate RSB and its association with education and economic status among men and women in 3 sub-Saharan African countries (i.e., Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and Cameroon) while controlling for gender, age, religion, and place of residence. The social cognitive theory provided the framework for this cross-sectional study that included data from …
Hiv Testing Among Nigerian Men Who Have Sex With Men After Criminalization Of Homosexuality, Gerald Onyeka Ileka
Hiv Testing Among Nigerian Men Who Have Sex With Men After Criminalization Of Homosexuality, Gerald Onyeka Ileka
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of HIV in Nigeria. However, African countries like Nigeria, Botswana, Mali, and Mozambique have laws that prohibit homosexuality, making it a punishable crime in these countries. For example, the Nigerian government signed the anti-gay law in 2014. Laws like these affect the health status and outcomes among Nigerian MSM. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the influence criminalization of homosexuality has on the willingness to test for HIV among MSM in Abuja, Nigeria. Guided by the socio-political theory (SP) as the theoretical framework, a qualitative approach …
Maintaining Confidentiality Among Hiv Infected Couples: Physicians' Patterns Of Decision In Nigeria, Francess Uju Ayaebene
Maintaining Confidentiality Among Hiv Infected Couples: Physicians' Patterns Of Decision In Nigeria, Francess Uju Ayaebene
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Policies mandating HIV status disclosure to decrease incidence create ethical challenges for physicians on whether to breach or maintain infected patients' confidentiality. In Sub-Saharan Africa where HIV incidence is high, there is a need for clear guidelines/policies on making confidentiality decisions. The purpose of this quantitative quasi experiment was to determine whether the gender, gender orientation, and sexual relationship of an infected patient and physicians' demographics predicted physicians' decisions to breach confidentiality. In Plateau State, Nigeria, 222 physicians were given vignette questionnaires containing 6 different descriptions of gender, gender orientation, and sexual relationships of a hypothetical patient. Each physician decided …
Social And Structural Barriers To Safer Sex Among Heterosexual Female Sex Workers, Erika Nikole Harding-Davis
Social And Structural Barriers To Safer Sex Among Heterosexual Female Sex Workers, Erika Nikole Harding-Davis
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Individuals infected with HIV through heterosexual contact made up 24% (9,578) of all new infections in the United States. Female sex workers are at increased risk of getting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) because they may be more likely to participate in risky sexual behaviors including sex with multiple partners and condom-less anal/vaginal sex. Guided by the syndemic theory, the purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between social and structural factors (homelessness, substance use, immigration status, and use of healthcare) and risky sexual behaviors (condom-less vaginal sex and multiple sex partners) among female sex workers …
The Self-Perceived Cultural Competency Of Hiv Interventionists, Tonya Herring
The Self-Perceived Cultural Competency Of Hiv Interventionists, Tonya Herring
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Despite significant research and inroads with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), disparities in HIV infection continue to widen for African American (AA) men who have sex with men (MSM). In recent times, cultural competence has been receiving increased attention as a possible factor to enhance the quality of health messaging and lessening HIV disparities. However, there is a dearth of research specifically dedicated to AA MSM and culturally competent HIV health messages. To address this gap, this qualitative research was designed to investigate the self-perceived cultural competency among HIV counselors. The theoretical framework for the project was the PEN-3 cultural …
Assessing Condom Use Among Navajo Men In The Southwest, Terra E. Yabeny
Assessing Condom Use Among Navajo Men In The Southwest, Terra E. Yabeny
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The Navajo tribe reports extraordinarily high number of cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexual populations. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the cultural value of adil' idli (self-respect) and how this cultural practice might influence health behaviors in sexual activity, condoms use, and acquiring of STDs among Navajo men. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was the theoretical foundation for providing a deeper understanding of the social, environmental, and cultural factors of condom use among Navajo men. Research questions …
Challenges Of Aging With The Hiv Virus And Comorbidities, Rommie Navylia Abele
Challenges Of Aging With The Hiv Virus And Comorbidities, Rommie Navylia Abele
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Since the introduction of antiretroviral therapy, the survival rate of infected HIV patients has been on the rise with a predicted increase by 2030. The longer a person lives with the virus, the more prone to HIV-associated chronic diseases he or she becomes, but it is not clear whether these diseases are solely from aging with the virus or from long-term use of antiretroviral therapy. Scientists demonstrated that the introduction of antiretroviral therapy led to an increased life expectancy yet early onset of comorbidities; however, they failed to address the challenges that people 50 years old or older face, as …
Adherence To Antiretroviral Medicines Among Adolescents And Young Adults In Benue State, Nigeria, Amom Tor-Anyiin
Adherence To Antiretroviral Medicines Among Adolescents And Young Adults In Benue State, Nigeria, Amom Tor-Anyiin
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Adherence to ARV medicines is essential to halt HIV progression, increase CD4 counts, decrease virologic impact, and improve quality of life for the infected people. However, sustaining good adherence among adolescents and young adults (AYA) has been a challenge caused by various problems such as distance to clinic, improved CD4 count which lead to complacency in adherence, and the nature of the environment. This was a quantitative, retrospective, correlational, cross-sectional study anchored by the transtheoretical model, which was used to understand how adherence rate among the study population was impacted by the predictive factors. Secondary data was collected from patient's …
Exposure To Hiv Prevention Messages On Social Media And Behavior Change Intent, Yoshika Shajuan Eason
Exposure To Hiv Prevention Messages On Social Media And Behavior Change Intent, Yoshika Shajuan Eason
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
African Americans living in the Southeastern region of the United States disproportionately contract sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Facebook and other social media sites are becoming a way to deliver health-related messaging to targeted populations. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional study was to examine the association between selected demographic factors and impact of social media on intent to change sexual behaviors among 112 African Americans between the ages of 18 and 49 in the Southeastern United States who viewed STI/HIV prevention materials on Facebook within 1 year prior to the study. The theory of planned …
Determinants Of Hiv Screening Among Adults In New Jersey After Hurricane Sandy, Nathaniel R. Geyer
Determinants Of Hiv Screening Among Adults In New Jersey After Hurricane Sandy, Nathaniel R. Geyer
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
HIV screening is recommended to destigmatize the condition, prevent partner transmission, and postpone AIDS progression. However, determinants associated with implementation of opt-out HIV screening are not well understood. The purpose of the study was to examine determinants that predicted odds of HIV screening for persons impacted by Hurricane Sandy, and how these factors differed according to demographic characteristics, geographical attributes, health-related quality of life score, access-to-care, and health insurance status. The social ecologic model provided the framework for this multilevel cross-sectional study that included New Jersey data from the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System. Bivariate chi-square, simple logistic regression, and …
The Relationship Between Hispanics/Latino Men Who Have Sex With Men And Women Cultural Beliefs, Risk Behaviors And Self-Disclosure, Donnalee Maria Lawson-Williams
The Relationship Between Hispanics/Latino Men Who Have Sex With Men And Women Cultural Beliefs, Risk Behaviors And Self-Disclosure, Donnalee Maria Lawson-Williams
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among cultural/spiritual beliefs, risk behaviors, and disclosure among Hispanic/Latino men who have sex with men and women (MSMW). Minority men who have sex with men are disproportionately affected by HIV, in particular MSM who are Hispanic/Latino or African American. Limited research is available on the link between Hispanic/Latino MSMW, their cultural/spiritual beliefs, risk behavior, and disclosure about risk behaviors to friends and family. The data were obtained from the SJS Project, which used survey methods to gather data on participants from all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Among the participants …
Impact Of The Affordable Care Act On The Hiv Care Continuum, Ebere Erugo
Impact Of The Affordable Care Act On The Hiv Care Continuum, Ebere Erugo
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS; PLWHA) are at increased risk of insufficient medical care due to lack of insurance. Inadequate medical care for PLWHA contributes to increases in HIV transmission rates. The U.S. Surveillance Report noted that in 2015, over 1.2 million people were living with HIV infection, and there were approximately 50,000 new infections every year. The report further stated that about 675,000 people have died from HIV-related illnesses since its discovery in 1981. The implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2014 was intended to provide Americans, including people at …