Despite increases in HIV awareness, prevention and treatment, little is known about the contributing factors to medication adherence among adherent Black women with HIV. Understanding the protective factors that improve medication adherence and CD4 cell count for Black HIV+ women is essential and necessary to improve the treatment outcomes for this understudied population. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between spirituality, social support, trust in physician, and medication adherence among HIV+ Black women. While this study was not designed to test the influence on medication adherence, it was hypothesized that increased levels of spirituality, social support and trust in physician would positively relate to adherence. In this study, medication adherence was measured by 1) self-report on The AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) Adherence Questionnaire and 2) CD4 T-cell count. Baseline data was collected from 82 Black women in the Miami-Dade community and participants were administered the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWB), the Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ), and the Trust in Physician Scale (TPS). The results of this study indicate that medication adherence is not related to spiritual well-being, social support, or trust in physician. However, a significant positive correlation between spiritual well-being and trust in physician was found. Findings suggest that additional research is needed to explore the multifarious nature of the factors that enhance medication adherence for this population. Implications for research and practice are discussed with respect to the inclusion of spirituality, social support and trust in physician components within prevention and intervention programs designed to increase adherent behaviors among Black HIV+ women.

Aquesta tesi planteja la vivència de persones afectades de Fibromiàlgia, malaltia crònica de difícil maneig clínic, des d’una perspectiva Infermera i adoptant la investigació qualitativa com a paradigma d’investigació, fent un disseny d’etnografia enfocada. S’ha fet Observació Participant (OP) a contextos clínics i contextos socials i s’han fet un total de 18 Entrevistes en Profunditat Obertes (EPO) a homes i a dones amb FM, a familiars, a polítics i a professionals. L’objectiu general de l’estudi és indagar en els significats de l’experiència viscuda al voltant del diagnòstic i les perspectives de vida de persones amb FM, amb la finalitat d'elaborar estratègies per a una millor cura infermera. L’anàlisi interpretatiu i simultani al marc teòric i treball de camp ha estat dinàmic i complex, adoptant ulleres infermeres graduades amb els models de Merle Mishel i Boykin i Shoenhofer, entre d’altres, i partint de les narratives i notes de camp, ens permeten la mirada Infermera en una malaltia crònica que genera dolor i malestar en els diferents espais i contextos de vida. Com a conclusions remarcar el trencament vital que suposa, per a les persones afectades i el seu entorn, la malaltia, tot i que aconsegueixen valorar l’experiència vital amb pèrdues i guanys, pèrdues per a la dificultat en el dia a dia per a homes i dones, en les tasques de la llar, la vida en família i de parella, el treball i les relacions socials; guanys en la presa de consciència de qui són, del que tenen, del nou valor que atorguen a cada moment, a les relacions familiars i amistats, a la possibilitat que han tingut de fer coses que d’altra manera no hagueren fet. Es percep malestar, frustració i conflictes en les relacions de cura i tractament. L’associacionisme és valorat, tot i que hi ha qui prefereix desenvolupar-se en altres contextos, es parla que a les associacions hi podrien participar professionals amb una actitud desinteressada. El diagnòstic diferencial, un tractament individualitzat i unes cures infermeres professionals esdevenen essencials per a una adaptació harmònica. El tractament es fa segons prescripció mèdica i hi ha forta adherència. Mostren un fort interès per mantenir-se actives i només el cansament i el dolor les fan desistir en les activitats tant personals i de lleure com socials i de treball. El temps es viu de manera particular i es pensa poc en el futur. Pel que fa a aportacions d’aquesta investigació podem parlar de la mirada global i complexa que fa de la vivència de la FM; el constatar que les persones afectades mostren un gran interès per ser protagonistes de les seves vides i mantenir-se actives en els diferents àmbits, també en el laboral; dir que les infermeres hi són poc visibles i, quan hi són, estan representades per un rol delegat i tradicional, manifestant que una atenció infermera centrada en els significats de l’experiència, i que utilitza la narrativa, va més enllà de la patologia i afavoreix que la persona cuidada esdevingui protagonista de la seva vida com és el desig que manifesten. Pel que fa als professionals mèdics representen els més visibles del sistema salut. El col•lectiu afectat diu que els necessita, i diferencia aquells que els comprenen i ajuden d’aquells que els desqualifiquen; el col•lectiu de persones afectades te la percepció que quan es cataloga algú de FM qualsevol queixa s’associa a la malaltia, podent passar desapercebudes altres alteracions senzilles o greus; les associacions cobreixen necessitats específiques que les administracions obliden, es planteja la possibilitat de participació professional sempre i quan tinguin una actitud de servei desinteressada, mostren una forta consciència de temporalitat, es gaudeix de les coses petites i dels moments sense crisis i es pensa poc en el futur. Pel que fa a propostes adoptar models infermers centrats en la persona que rep els cuidatges, contemplar la narrativa com instrument per a la coneixença de l’altra i els fenòmens al voltant de la salut i la vida, treballar de manera inter-poli-trans-disciplinar contemplant un diàleg fluït i incorporar el compromís social i polític en la salvaguarda de les necessitats globals de salut. / "The meanings of the experience of people with fibromyalgia. A view from the nursing" This thesis presents the experiences of people suffering from fibromyalgia, chronic disease management of difficult clinical nurse perspective and adopting qualitative research as a research paradigm, with a design focused ethnography. Participant observation has been made (OP) in clinical contexts and social contexts and have a total of 18 in-depth interviews Open (EPO) in men and women with FM, relatives, politicians and professionals. The overall objective of the study is to investigate the meanings of lived experience about diagnosis and life prospects of people with FM, in order to develop strategies for better care nurse. The interpretive analysis and simultaneous theoretical and field work has been dynamic and complex, taking prescription glasses with nurses models and Merle Mishel and Shoenhofer Boykin, among others, and considering the narratives and field notes, we Nurse can look into a chronic disease that creates pain and discomfort in different spaces and contexts of life. In summary noted that the break is vital for the affected people and the environment, disease, although able to assess life experience gains and losses, losses due to the difficulty in every day for men and women in the household chores, family life and marital, work and social relations gains in awareness of who they are, what they have, the new value assigned to each point, the family and friends, who have had the possibility to do things you would not otherwise have made. Perceived discomfort, frustration and conflicts in care and treatment. The association is valued, although some people prefer to develop in other contexts, there is talk that it could participate in professional associations with a selfless attitude. The differential diagnosis, individualized treatment and a professional nursing care becomes essential for a harmonious adaptation. The treatment is carried out under medical prescription and there is strong adhesion. Show a strong interest in staying active and just tiredness and pain make them desist in both personal and leisure activities, social or labor. Weather you live in a particular way and think little of the future. Regarding contributions of this research we can speak of global and complex look that makes the experience of FM; establish that the affected people show great interest in becoming protagonists of their lives and remain active in various fields, including the labor nurses say there are barely visible, and when there are, are represented by a traditional CEO role, saying that attention focused on the meanings of nursing experience, and uses narrative goes beyond the pathology and favors the person cared become the protagonist of his life and the desire to manifest. With regard to medical professionals representing the most visible health system. The group affected says it needs, unlike those who understand and help those who are disqualified, the collective has affected the perception that when someone is cataloged FM complaints associated with the disease , simple changes can go unnoticed or other serious; associations covering specific needs that government neglect, raises the possibility of professional participation provided they have an attitude of selfless service shows a strong awareness of temporality, enjoying the small things and moments of crisis and without little thought for the future. Regarding proposals to adopt models nurses focused on the person receiving the Caring contemplate narrative as an instrument for the knowledge of the other and the phenomena around health and life, to work inter-poly-trans looking-disciplinary dialogue seamlessly incorporate social and political commitment to safeguard global health needs.

Diss. Umeå : Univ., 2004.

Despite a wealth of studies on differences regarding the biobehavioral and social–psychological bases of mental disorders in men and women and repeated calls for increased attention, women-specific issues have so far not been comprehensively addressed in past diagnostic classification systems of mental disorders. There is also increasing evidence that this situation will not change significantly in the upcoming revisions of ICD-11 and DSM-V. This paper explores reasons for this continued failure, highlighting three major barriers: the fragmentation of the field of women's mental health research, lack of emphasis on diagnostic classificatory issues beyond a few selected clinical conditions, and finally, the “current rules of game” used by the current DSM-V Task Forces in the revision process of DSM-V. The paper calls for concerted efforts of researchers, clinicians, and other stakeholders within a more coherent and comprehensive framework aiming at broader coverage of women-specific diagnostic classificatory issues in future diagnostic systems.

The complex and multilayered interdependence of health and security gets exceedingly obvious in conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV); however, its scientific study is exceptionally invisible. Political unrest increases incidence of gender-based violence (GBV). Rapes, including gang rapes, and forced insertion into the female genitalia of foreign bodies such as bottles, sticks, and weapons can lead to injury of the vagina and the development of traumatic vaginal fistulas (TVF). This paper aims to give structure to the particular characteristics of traumatic vaginal fistula in conflict settings and its immanent linkage to human security. The authors reviewed all papers concerning prevalence and causes of CRSV-caused TVF (CRSV-TVF) that were available on PubMed and GoogleScholar in February 2021. Findings were integrated into feminist theory on CRSV to identify the connecting linkages of security, health, and gender equality. CRSV-caused TVF illustrate well the complex interdependences of health and security: (1) insecurity leads to a higher prevalence of sexual violence; (2) sexual violence can serve as a weapon of war; (3) insecurity prolongs sufficient medical care; (4) vaginal fistula impede female empowerment and societal development. The multiple threads of their connection reveal several implications for the prevention and treatment of TVF. The reciprocal connection of CRSV and security exemplifies a vicious circle of health security.

The objective of this thesis is to examine which socio-economic, structural and cultural factors may influence Indian women’s propensity to contract HIV and later their ability to access the relevant healthcare services for their condition. The research draws on two theoretical frameworks, the first being Barnett and Whiteside’s (2002) concept of social structural factors of disease transmission. Second, Anderson and Aday’s (1981) model of access examines how a variety of structural and resource-based factors, e.g. area of residence, can influence usage of healthcare facilities. Two stages of data analysis were undertaken, the first being secondary statistical analysis of the National Family Health Survey III. The survey provided state level estimates on the HIV sero-status of the general population in India and data on demographic and socio-economic determinants for family planning, nutrition, utilization of healthcare and emerging health issues. The second stage of analysis consisted of a set of qualitative interviews conducted in Andhra Pradesh, India. Thirty-three interviews were conducted with female sero-positive patients and ten with HIV-infected women who were providing social services to others with the same condition. Statistical results on social structural determinants of HIV transmission illustrated that Indian women who were formerly married (OR=5.27, CI=3.07-9.04), lived in higher prevalence states (OR=3.48, CI=2.19-5.54), had a low level of education (OR=2.27, CI=1.40-3.68) and were employed (OR=1.45, CI=0.96-2.18) had significantly (<.05) higher odds of being HIV-positive in comparison to those who were not. Findings in the qualitative phase of analysis were similar but participants’ narratives illustrated that their risk of contracting HIV begun before they even had the opportunity to seek a match as they seemed to live in communities with a high level of HIV prevalence. Many of the participants commented that there were factors outside of their sphere of control, e.g. lack of education, which resulted in them having a narrow choice of potential partners. Additionally, statistical results on female participants’ access to healthcare services indicated the vast majority of HIV-positive respondents were almost certainly not aware of their sero-status as they had not undertaken an HIV test prior to the survey. As the sample of female HIV infected respondents was relatively small, it was difficult to ascertain which social factors had an impact on these participants utilisation of HIV testing services. On the other hand, respondents’ narratives from the qualitative stage of research highlighted on social structural factors which could potentially influence WLHA’s continual utilisation of HIV-related healthcare services. It was found that participants experienced the most barriers to accessing healthcare facilities in the initial phases of their treatment. These barriers were mediated by the structure of healthcare services, culturally sanctioned medical practices (e.g. physicians refusal to inform the patient of their sero-status) and quality of services.

Against the background of a dilemma experienced by researchers during a genomics study at an established biomedical research centre in Kenya, the broad aims of this thesis are to develop appropriate responses to important ethical questions on sharing information on a common and serious genetic condition, sickle cell disorder, and assess the responsibilities of researchers in this regard. Using an empirical approach to normative reflection across two phases of qualitative research, I explore the nature of important moral concerns related to sharing sickle cell disease information from researchers’ and community members’ points of view; and develop a bottom-up normative analysis around the questions generated. This analysis interweaves community experiences, processes of community reasoning and ex situ normative reflection; placing community views and values centrally while referencing these to wider ethical debates, commentaries and guidelines in the literature. Two main outputs of this thesis are to provide recommendations for information sharing on SCD findings in the genomics study in Kilifi; and to propose a set of key issues to consider for this type of information in other studies and geographic settings. I conclude that researchers have a strong responsibility to share SCD information on affected children with families as a form of ancillary service (validating tests, counselling and care); but less responsibility to actively share carrier information. Concurrent responsibilities are working collaboratively with the Ministry of Health/District General Hospital to plan and implement services for SCD; ensuring counselling services support family stability as far as reasonably possible; and to build forms of community engagement and informed consent that counter risks of diagnostic interpretations of research.