Virus Diseases Commons^™

Implementing A Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Intervention For Safer Conception Among Hiv Serodiscordant Couples: Recommendations For Health Care Providers, Mari-Lynn Drainoni, Dea L. Biancarelli, Ashley A. Leech, Meg Sullivan, Angela R. Bazzi

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Couples in HIV serodiscordant relationships frequently desire children. Although partners who are virally suppressed pose almost no risk of transmitting HIV to their partners, partners who are inconsistently on therapy may transmit HIV to their partners when attempting to conceive. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an available safer conception strategy for these couples but is not consistently offered. We sought to better understand barriers to PrEP implementation for couples seeking conception and patient perceptions on what providers could do to encourage use. We conducted in-depth, qualitative interviews with 11 participants representing six couples taking PrEP for safer conception in a safety-net …

Using Clinical Decision Support Within The Electronic Health Record To Reduce Incorrect Prescribing For Acute Sinusitis, Regina Ginzburg, Justin J. Conway, Eve Waltermaurer, Wendy Song, Samantha P. Jellinek-Cohen

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Acute sinusitis has viral etiology in more than 90% of cases, but antibiotics are prescribed for more than 80% of adults in the United States. While applications of computer-assisted guidelines have been found effective in reducing inaccurate prescribing for acute respiratory infections, there is a paucity of research focused specifically on the utilization of electronic best practice alerts (BPA) in improving treatment for acute sinusitis.

Methods: This observational cohort study examined prescribing behavior for sinusitis at a single Federally Qualified Health Center 1 year prior and during the first year of implementation of a BPA in the electronic health …

Hiv Mortality Difference Between Black And White Women, Carlos O. Nesbeth, Rajiv Kandala, Syed Najeeb, Ruksana Nazneen, Banglore Murthy

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

OBJECTIVE

In the United States, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be among the top 10 leading causes of mortality for black women between the ages of 20 and 54¹, but does not rank among the top 10 leading causes of death for white women amongst all age groups^². This study describes the HIV mortality difference between black and white women and formulate hypotheses that may reduce or eliminate disparities.

METHODS

Information was accessed through public data, the US Census, and the US Compressed Mortality File.

RESULTS

In these descriptive data from 1987 through 2015, including reliable HIV …

Food Insecurity And Pre-Hypertension, Pre-Diabetes In Adult Women: Results From The 2007-2010 National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey, Michelle L. Redmond, Phd, Ms, Fanglong Dong, Phd, Philip Twumasi-Ankrah, Phd, Robert B. Hines, Phd, Mph, Lisette T. Jacobson, Phd, Mpa, Ma, Elizabeth Ablah, Phd, Mph, Judy Johnston, Ms, Rd/Ld, Tracie C. Collins, Md, Mph, Mhcds

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Background

Being food insecure is generally defined as the limited or uncertain availability of safe and nutritious foods and is linked to poor nutrition and fully progressed diet-sensitive chronic diseases. However, little is known about the association between food insecurity and pre-clinical disease such as pre-hypertension and pre-diabetes. This study sought to examine the associations between food insecurity and pre-clinical disease among a racially/ethnically diverse population of women.

Methods

Using data from 2007-2010 NHANES, we examined associations between food security and pre-clinical disease among women 18-65 years. Chi-square tests were used to examine differences in demographic variables. Bivariate and multivariable …

Ebola: Africa, James Goodwin

Global Issues in Public Health

In this paper, I talk about the Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever. Ebola is a rare virus that spreads through the immune system and can be fatal. Ebola is a pathogen from Africa, specifically West Africa. There has been almost 32,000 cases since 1976. Symptoms include, Fever, Headache, Muscle pain, Fatigue, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Stomach pain, and Bleeding/Bruising. Transmission happens during close or direct contact. World Health Organization has been making efforts to handle outbreaks such as the outbreak in 2014. World Health Organization mobilized and set up relief efforts. Education is a key idea for my thoughts on how we can intervene …

Hiv/Aids: Ethiopia, Luzana Girmay

Global Issues in Public Health

AIDS is a public health problem that affects the immune system of the human body which results in people getting affected by other diseases easily. This syndrome is caused by a pathogen known as HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). There are numerous means of transmissions; some of which are drug use, contact with fluids like blood, semen, rectal fluids, and breast milk but the main mode of transmission is through sexual intercourse. The symptoms of HIV/AIDS include fever, rash, and night sweats. The highest number of HIV positive people are located in Africa, which is about 23.8 million people. Of those …

Herpes Zoster Patient Education: A Coloring Book Approach, Sophia Charuhas

Senior Honors Theses

Shingles, the disease caused by the herpes zoster virus, is a widespread and widely misunderstood illness in the United States. It is preventable, but many at-risk patients do not know what measures they may take to prevent it. Clear communication from physician to patient is crucial for patient understanding of diseases. Many patient education materials on herpes zoster currently available are often unused. It is therefore beneficial to public health to disseminate new mediums of medical communication, and one way of accomplishing this is through adult coloring books. The pathophysiology of herpes zoster virus is here explored and the idea …

A Model For Rigorously Applying The Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (Epis) Framework In The Design And Measurement Of A Large Scale Collaborative Multi-Site Study, Jennifer E. Becan, John P. Bartkowski, Danica K. Knight, Tisha R. A. Wiley, Ralph Diclemente, Lori Ducharme, Wayne N. Welsh, Diana Bowser, Kathryn Mccollister, Matthew Hiller, Anne C. Spaulding, Patrick M. Flynn, Andrea Swartzendruber, Megan F. Dickson, Jacqueline Horan Fisher, Gregory A. Aarons

Center on Drug and Alcohol Research Faculty Publications

Background

This paper describes the means by which a United States National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)-funded cooperative, Juvenile Justice-Translational Research on Interventions for Adolescents in the Legal System (JJ-TRIALS), utilized an established implementation science framework in conducting a multi-site, multi-research center implementation intervention initiative. The initiative aimed to bolster the ability of juvenile justice agencies to address unmet client needs related to substance use while enhancing inter-organizational relationships between juvenile justice and local behavioral health partners.

Methods

The EPIS (Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment) framework was selected and utilized as the guiding model from inception through project completion; including the …

The Distribution Of Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes In Us Population. Data From Nhanes 2006-2016, Hilary Elom, Shimin Zheng

Appalachian Student Research Forum

Background: Unlike other non-hepatitis c viral infection, hepatitis c viral infection is a non-vaccine preventable disease. Thus, effective treatment is an important part in the prevention of complication of chronic hepatitis c infection. The viral genotype plays a significant role in the choice of treatment regimen.

Aim: the purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis c viral infection and the distribution of viral genotype in the US population.

Methods: Diagnosis of Hepatitis C viral infection was made by assaying the blood specimen collected from the study participants using Ampiclor monitor (Roche Diagnostic System, Inc Branchburg …

An Assessment Of Cultural Perceptions And Recognition Of Ebola Virus Disease, And Its Correlation With Traditional Burial Practice In Rural Guinea, Chulwoo Park, Amira Roess, Sally Lahm, Mamadou Kally Bah, Mohamed Campel Camara, John Sandberg

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background:

In the midst of the unprecedented Ebola outbreak in West Africa during 2014-2016, the humanitarian response to control the disease was hampered in part because there was a limited understanding of local traditional rituals or indigenous medicine (ethnomedicine) on the part of the responders. The Ebola outbreak claimed 11,310 lives, more than all other outbreaks combined. West African burial funeral ceremonies and surrounding rituals may have hindered interventions that included the forceful removal of the sick or dead from the community.

Objective:

Our objective was to understand transmission associated with traditional burial practices in rural Guinea. Through the lens …

Studies Of Amino Acid Mutations In Drug Resistance Of The Smo Protein, Eunice Wintona

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Smoothened receptor (SMO) is a protein that in humans, is encoded by the SMO gene. A systemic mutation in its binding pocket helps predict the sensitivity of mutant proteins to different drugs. Known as a GPCR-like receptor, it is a component of the hedgehog signaling pathway; a pathway involved in body patterning and the regulation of adult stem cells. An uncontrolled or inappropriate activation of the Hedgehog pathway drives tumor progression in cancers and a number of birth defects. To achieve these goals, the molecular modeling software MOE was used to build small molecules and drug molecules like Vismodegib and …

Barriers To Addressing Hiv-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (Hand): Community-Based Service Provider Perspectives, Renato M. Liboro, Francisco Ibanez-Carrasco, Sean B. Rourke, Andrew Easton, Claudia Medina, Daniel Pugh, Allan Rae, Lori E. Ross, Paul A. Shuper

Psychology Faculty Research

HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND) is an emergent public health issue in developed countries. Consequently, people living with HIV who experience HAND will increasingly require support from community-based HIV service providers. The objective of our qualitative study was to identify barriers service providers face in addressing HAND among people living with HIV. Thirty-three providers from 22 AIDS service organizations across Ontario, Canada, were interviewed. Using thematic analysis, three types of barriers were identified: (a) personal/professional, (b) service access, and (c) systemic. This paper draws attention to HAND-related obstacles that service providers encounter in their work and presents options to overcome them.

Deconstructing The Model Minority Myth: Exploring Health Risk Behaviors Of American Asian And Pacific Islander Young Adults, Todd M. Sabato

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The model minority stereotype describes Asian and Pacific Islanders (API) as the epitome of assimilation into U.S. culture using hard work, intelligence, high educational attainment, and economic success to overcome the challenges of discrimination and recent immigration. Adopted model minority pressures assume a life of their own, with origins in childhood that are amplified during adolescence and young adulthood. In response to evidence of increased vulnerability to HIV and other sexually transmitted infection exposure, the present study compared prevalence estimates of health risk behaviors of API and cross-ethnic college students (N = 1,880). Self-reported alcohol use and abuse tendencies, …

Examining Differences In Hpv Awareness And Knowledge And Hpv Vaccine Awareness And Acceptability Between U.S. Hispanic And Island Puerto Rican Women, Daisy Y. Morales-Campos Phd, Robin Vanderpool

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Background: In 2015, only 42% of Puerto Rican (PR) girls aged 13-17 and 44% of U.S. Hispanic girls aged 13-17 were vaccinated with all three Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine doses. These percentages were far lower than the Healthy People 2020 goal of 80% of girls aged 13-15 completing the vaccine series. The purpose of this study was to examine potential differences in HPV awareness and knowledge and HPV vaccine awareness and acceptability between a population-based sample of U.S. Hispanic and island Puerto Rican women.

Methods: We restricted our analyses to female respondents from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) …

Guinea-Bissau: Hiv/Aids, Matt Macarthur

Global Public Health

This public health brief investigates the concern of HIV/AIDS in Guinea-Bissau. Guinea-Bissau is a low-income country run by a semi-presidential government. The government has been very unstable since its formation. A variety of internal conflicts have limited the effectiveness of the government. As a result, there is little money to provide proper treatment for individuals with HIV/AIDS. It is important to get tested for this condition as soon as symptoms occur, but due to limited resources that is not always possible. Guinea-Bissau has a very high fertility rate compared to other countries worldwide, this allows for a high mother-to-child transmission …

Somalia: Rift Valley Fever, Alyson Meeks

Global Public Health

This walks readers through the basic demographics of Somalia, a country located in the horn of Africa. After learning about the government in Somalia and the problems that the people of the country face, this focuses on the problem of Rift Valley Fever. Rift Valley Fever is a virus that year after year strikes Somalia and surrounding countries. Weather patterns seem to help predict when Rift Valley Fever will be at the highest risk for an outbreak. This outlines the steps the current government and people are trying to take to help prevent outbreaks of RVF. But the solutions currently …

Togo: Hiv/Aids, Brooke Einsweiler

Global Public Health

This brief describes the political structure, internal, and external challenges of Togo, Africa. It primarily focuses on the internal challenge of the high AIDS prevalence in the country and goes into detail on the epidemiology, identification, challenges, and suggestions regarding the disease. AIDS is an immunodeficiency virus that makes it hard for the host to fight off infections and illnesses. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluid and is most commonly spread through unprotected sex. Men having sex with men are at the highest risk of contracting HIV/AIDS in this region. Pregnant women with HIV/AIDS are also …

Vanuatu: Malaria, Cody Wheeler

Global Public Health

Vanuatu is a small archipelago near Australia with a population of over 280,000. This nation consists of almost all native Vanuatuans, who live in rural areas. This young nation, only 40 years of independence, has many issues ranging from infantile mortality to an underdeveloped infrastructure, water and sanitation issues. This brief’s focus is the endemic of malaria, specifically the Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax strains of the disease. The nation is attempting to manage the issue through implementation of screening and better testing for malaria. The use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) is also prevalent, but in some areas the …

Northern Mariana Islands: Hepatitis B, Dennis Thornton

Global Public Health

The Northern Mariana Islands consists of a group of Islands in the Pacific Ocean that are a United States commonwealth, meaning that they are technically a part of the United States and follow our government, which is a constitutional republic. This string of islands has had a problem with Hepatitis B in the past. This is a problem for all genders, and all ages, but is most common among drug users, diabetics, and individuals who engage in sexual acts with multiple partners. This illness attacks a person's bloodstream and can be serious enough to cause liver failure and extreme pain …

Tanzania: Hiv/Aids, Francis Faasen

Global Public Health

Tanzania has a lot of issues going on in the community, but HIV/AIDS is the number one issue they are facing. Over 5% of their population has the HIV/Aids virus. There are many interventions that have been tried in Tanzania. In the last year there have been over 50,000 new cases of HIV/Aids in Tanzania. The goal is to main those numbers go down dramatically in the coming years. The two most common interventions are trying to educate this subject at a young age and provide condoms to the population. They tried giving condoms out to the people of Tanzania …

Mozambique: Hiv/Aids, Camila Davila

Global Public Health

Mozambique is a country located in Southeastern Africa near the Mozambique Channel and the Indian Ocean. The president of this nation is Filipe Jacinto Nyusi. The total population is 26, 573, 706 which is composed of mostly 99.68% Africans and other minorities. Its national language is Portuguese although most of the population speaks Emarkhuwa. Most of the population is Catholic and a few others include Muslims and Zionist Christians. Mozambique faces several challenges with malaria, poverty, malnutrition, HIV/AIDS, and illicit drugs. HIV/AIDS is a common health problem that targets the immune system and is transmitted through bodily fluids such as …

Chikungunya: India, Allison Harvey

Global Issues in Public Health

A communicable disease is an infectious disease, transmissible by direct contact with an affected individual or the individual’s discharges, or by indirect means. The more direct contact people have, the more disease spreads explaining why larger populations have more outbreaks of communicable diseases. India, in particular, has one of the biggest population sizes and makes them susceptible to those diseases. Many can be fatal. However, other diseases, such as chikungunya, are also dangerous viruses that put specific populations at risk for health problems if infected. With chikungunya symptoms such as fever or rashes may develop. Some symptoms such as joint …

Hiv/Aids: Nigeria, Lauren Tropinski

Global Issues in Public Health

Nigeria has one of the largest prevalence rates of HIV infections in Africa. HIV is a communicable disease that is transmitted by bodily fluids through unprotected sex, using contaminated needles, or mother to child. The most affected populations include heterosexuals who have unprotected sex, followed by sex workers, and men who have sex with men. People will experience three stages of HIV before the last stage referred to as AIDS. Rapid diagnostic tests are used to diagnose the disease. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS. However, people with HIV are given antiretrovirals to keep HIV at a low level throughout …

Type 1 Diabetes, Dan Bornstein

Global Issues in Public Health

The aim of this research was to increase the awareness of this disease and show the range of which it travels. Type 1 Diabetes, although not as common as Type 2 Diabetes, is a very serious disease present well around the world. Between the two forms, there are nearly 1.5 million people diagnosed with diabetes each year (American Diabetes Association, 2015). Northern European countries tend to have the highest prevalence of Type 1 diabetes. Younger children on average ages of 0-14 years, are most frequently struck with this disease (American Diabetes Association, 2015). With the given amount of symptoms that …

Dengue, Edward Ramos

Global Issues in Public Health

The dengue virus puts one third of the world’s population at risk. Humans carry the virus and mosquitoes pick it up and are able to spread to more people. As long as there are mosquitoes near you there is the possibility that you could become infected with the dengue virus. However, people living in tropical areas that are poverty stricken are much more likely to bit by these mosquitoes and developed dengue fever. Things like mosquito netting and proper plumbing help lower the amount of these mosquitoes from biting people. There are very few treatments for when a person gets …

Factors Associated With Viral Non-Suppression Among Adolescents Living With Hiv In Cambodia: A Cross-Sectional Study, Kolab Chhim, Gitau Mburu, Sovannary Tuot, Ratana Sopha, Vohith Khol, Pheak Chhoun, Siyan Yi

Background

Adolescents living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) have worse treatment adherence, viral suppression, and mortality rates compared to adults. This study investigated factors associated with viral non-suppression among adolescents living with HIV in Cambodia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in August 2016 among 328 adolescents living with HIV aged 15–17 years who were randomly selected from 11 ART clinics in the capital city of Phnom Penh and 10 other provinces. Clinical and immunological data, including CD4 count and viral load, were obtained from medical records at ART clinics. Adolescents were categorized as having achieved viral suppression if …

El Salvador: Zika Virus, Annalia Fowler

Global Public Health

One of the current issues in El Salvador at the moment is the outbreak of Zika virus and the lack of understanding where it came from. Zika virus affects the population in many different ways. One of the most important ways that it affects the population is that it causes birth defects such as microcephaly and fetal death. In a country that already has a declining birth rate this could soon have grave effects on the population. As of right now El Salvador is working on an educational approach to stop the spread of the disease, as there is no …

Impact Of Chronic Sexual Abuse And Depression On Inflammation And Wound Healing In The Female Reproductive Tract Of Hiv-Uninfected And Hiv-Infected Women., Mimi Ghosh, Jason Daniels, Maria Pyra, Monika Juzumaite, Mariel Jais, Kerry Murphy, Tonya N Taylor, Seble Kassaye, Lorie Benning, Mardge Cohen, Kathleen Weber

Epidemiology Faculty Publications

Sexual violence is associated with increased risk of HIV acquisition/transmission in women. Forced sex can result in physical trauma to the reproductive tract as well as severe psychological distress. However, immuno-biological mechanisms linking sexual violence and HIV susceptibility are incompletely understood. Using the Women's Interagency HIV Study repository, a total of 77 women were selected to form 4 groups, stratified by HIV serostatus, in the following categories: 1) no sexual abuse history and low depressive symptom score (below clinically significant cut-off, scores

Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Hiv-Infected Individuals In The District Of Columbia And Estimated Hiv Transmission Risk: Data From The Dc Cohort, Jose Lucar, Rachel Hart, Nabil Rayeed, Arpi Terzian, Amy Weintrob, Amanda D. Castel, Debra A. Benator, Dc Cohort Executive Committee

Epidemiology Faculty Publications

Background

Washington, DC, has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in the United States. Sexual intercourse is the leading mode of HIV transmission, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a risk factor for HIV acquisition and transmission.

Methods

We evaluated the incidence and demographic factors associated with chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis among HIV-infected persons enrolled at 13 DC Cohort sites from 2011 to 2015. Using Poisson regression, we assessed covariates of risk for incident STIs. We also examined HIV viral loads (VLs) at the time of STI diagnosis as a proxy for HIV transmission risk.

Results

Six point …

Improving Hpv Immunization By Age 13 In Over 20 Kansas City Pediatric Practices, Luke A. Harris, Douglas Blowey

Posters

No abstract provided.