<strong>Background. </strong> Previous evidence suggests that persons who have emigrated from HIV-endemic countries experience higher rates of HIV infection and delayed diagnosis. Despite this evidence, limited research has examined HIV testing in these populations. <br /><br /> <strong>Objectives. </strong> To examine factors associated with HIV testing, as well as motivations underlying testing behaviour, within five East African communities in Toronto. <br /><br /> <strong>Methods. </strong> Secondary data analyses were conducted using cross-sectional data collected in face-to-face interviews with people from Toronto's Ethiopian, Kenyan, Somali, Tanzanian, and Ugandan communities. Logistic regression techniques were employed to assess factors associated with "ever vs. never testing," "repeat vs. non-repeat testing," and "independent vs. directive testing. " Reasons provided for testing and not testing were described. <br /><br /> <strong>Results. </strong> Individuals from all five communities were interviewed (n=270). Males were slightly over-represented (55. 9%). The average age was 35. 7 yrs (range 17-71). Three-quarters (75. 6%) of the sample had been tested for HIV. Two-thirds (65. 7%) of testers had tested more than once and 40. 7% had independently decided to get their most recent test. 71. 1% of testers reporting previous testing for immigration purposes. Testing behaviour varied greatly across communities. Ethnicity was predictive of "ever" and "repeat" testing. Risk behaviour (including multiple sex partners, concurrent sex partners, condom non-use, and/or improper condom use) was overwhelmingly not associated with testing. Fear of exposure through sexual activity was the most frequent reason for independent testing. Immigration authorities were the most common person to initiate directive testing, followed by physicians. Low perceived risk was the most common reason for not testing. <br /><br /> <strong>Conclusions. </strong> Testing rates within this population were quite high and the immigration process heavily impacted upon testing behaviour. Many determinants and motivations of testing have been identified and should be used to inform the design of interventions to promote testing behaviour in these communities. Nevertheless, many gaps have been identified by the current research and should be addressed by future research.

My main focus of interest in this dissertation is to evaluate the relationship between known risk factor for HIV and HIV testing behavior, with a particular interest in women. Utilizing data from the National Survey of Family Growth, I conduct both descriptive and logistic regression analysis to evaluate this relationship. In addition to examining this relationship for women overall, I also evaluate the differences between White and Minority women, and compare and contrast this relationship for men versus women. In this dissertation, I did find some evidence to indicate that women with factors that put them at risk for HIV are more likely to be tested than are women without risk, however the strength of this relationship differed across types of risk factors. Drug use was consistently stronger in predicting the likelihood of testing than were sexual risk factors, indicating a ?lag? in public health perception of risk due to heterosexual risk factors. I also found that African-American women had significantly higher prevalence of risk than did White women, although no difference was found in the relationship between risk and testing. Finally, sexual risk factors were a substantially stronger predictor of testing for men than it was for women. The findings reported in this dissertation have the potential for significant public health implications and indicate the need for further policies that target the populations identified in this research. While the evidence in this dissertation and elsewhere does suggest that these efforts have been successful for homosexual men and drug users, and marginally successful for women at risk due to heterosexual behavior, it is important that efforts that target women, especially African-American women, are increased.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Faculty of the School of Social Service Administration, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 134-141).

Thesis (MSD (EAP))--University of Pretoria, 2003.

Η έκφραση του ογκογονιδίου ets-2 δρα κατασταλτικά στην έκφραση του γονιδίου της ιντερλευκίνης-2 καθώς και στην έκφραση του ιού HIV-1 στα παρθενικά Τ λεμφοκύτταρα. / -

Bakgrund: HIV är ett globalt problem med cirka 30-36 miljoner människor som har sjukdomen. Generellt har människor med HIV-smitta sämre hälsa och känsla av sammanhang, behovet av information har hälsorelaterad påverkan på patienter. Syfte: Syftet är att beskriva sjuksköterskans kunskap och dess betydelse i vården av patienter med HIV-smitta. Metod: Studien består av en litteraturöversikt innehållande tretton artiklar med såväl kvantitativ som kvalitativ ansats. Resultat: Sjuksköterskor har viljan och anser att de behöver lära sig mer om sjukdomen. Positiva attityder gentemot patienter hör samman med bättre kunskap. Utbildning om HIV minskar rädsla och ger sjuksköterskor större förståelse för diskriminering och stigmatisering. Slutsats: Kunskapen hos sjuksköterskor har betydelse i vården av patienter med HIV-smitta, den visar sig i attityder och ställningstaganden samt rädsla och stigma. Kunskapen minskar rädslan hos sjuksköterskor, vilket leder till en god vård för patienterna. Sjuksköterskors medvetenhet om att beteenden påverkar stigmatisering gör att hälsan sannolikt ökar hos patienterna. / Background: HIV is a global problem, about 30-36 million people have the disease. Generally, people with HIV infection have worse health and sense of coherence, the need for information has health-related effects on patients. Purpose: The purpose is to describe nurses' knowledge and its importance in the care of patients with HIV infection. Method: The study consists of a literature review with thirteen articles of both quantitative and qualitative approach. Results: Nurses have the will and believe they need to learn more about the disease. Positive attitudes towards patients are associated with better knowledge. Education about HIV reduces fear and gives nurses greater understanding of discrimination and stigmatization. Conclusion: The knowledge of nurses is important in the care of patients with HIV infection; it manifests itself in attitudes and positions, as well as fear and stigma. Knowledge reduces the fear of nurses, leading to good health care for patients. The nurse's awareness that behavior affects stigma means that health is likely to increase in the patients.

As a result of the HIV/AIDS problem, South Africa is presently confronted by the worst pandemic in the history of this country. An estimated 4,2 million people in South Africa are already infected with the HI virus. The Faculty of Health Sciences at the PL) for CHE (Focus area 9.1) for this reason undertook to investigate the immune systems of HIV/AIDS patients in the Potchefstroom health district. The aim of this effort was multiple, namely: * to improve by means of oral supplements the immune systems of HIV/AIDS patients in the named health district; * to slow down by means of the above mentioned action the deterioration of patients from HIV to AIDS, and * to improve the sense of well-being and quality of life of HIV/AIDS patients by means of a group work intervention programme. To reach this aim, the following goals had to be attained: * To determine by means of a literature study the nature and extent of HIV/AIDS world-wide. This aim was reached by analysing theoretical perspectives gained from the relevant literature as well as empirical results regarding the nature and extent of HIV/AIDS, especially in South Africa. * To determine by means of a literature study and an empirical investigation the needs of persons diagnosed as being HIV positive or having AIDS. In order to reach this goal, the procedure of survey was used. Schedules were personally completed by the investigator, assisted by field-workers, regarding 110 HIV/AIDS patients. In this manner the needs of the patients could be determined. From the results obtained by this survey, it was evident that HIV/AIDS patients experience various problems and definitely had a need for help. * To investigate by means of a literature study the task of Social Work, and specifically group work, regarding assistance to HIV/AIDS patients. This investigation emphasised that Social Work definitely has a task and responsibility regarding the prevention of HIV/AIDS as well as supplying direct assistance for HIV/AIDS patients. If group work intervention is thoroughly planned, it can render a valuable contribution to the improvement of the sense of well-being and quality of life of these patients. * The aim of the last-mentioned goal was to compile an appropriate programme based on the specific needs of patients and to evaluate it after implementation. This programme was successfully presented in the course of 13 weeks and was in particular suited, not only to improve the knowledge of the HIV/AIDS group members concerning their condition, but also to broaden their insight with regard to the impact of their illness on their social functioning. By means of this programme the group members could develop skills concerning the handling of their condition. * To evaluate the effect of the group work intervention programme on the sense of well-being and quality of life of the patients who have been diagnosed as HIV positive or having AIDS. This goal was attained by measuring on four occasions the sense of well-being and quality of life by means of the measuring scale known as Affectometer 2 (AFM) by Kammann and Flett (1983). The results obtained by this evaluation showed that the group work intervention programme brought about a significant difference in the sense of well-being and quality of life of these HIV/AIDS patients. The sense of well-being of HIV/AIDS patients who participated in the group work intervention programme was significantly higher than that of patients who did not form part of the group work intervention programme. All in all this research undeniably proved that a scientifically grounded, well-planned group work intervention programme can be successfully implemented to improve the quality of life of HIV/AIDS patients. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2002.

As a result of the HIV/AIDS problem, South Africa is presently confronted by the worst pandemic in the history of this country. An estimated 4,2 million people in South Africa are already infected with the HI virus. The Faculty of Health Sciences at the PL) for CHE (Focus area 9.1) for this reason undertook to investigate the immune systems of HIV/AIDS patients in the Potchefstroom health district. The aim of this effort was multiple, namely: * to improve by means of oral supplements the immune systems of HIV/AIDS patients in the named health district; * to slow down by means of the above mentioned action the deterioration of patients from HIV to AIDS, and * to improve the sense of well-being and quality of life of HIV/AIDS patients by means of a group work intervention programme. To reach this aim, the following goals had to be attained: * To determine by means of a literature study the nature and extent of HIV/AIDS world-wide. This aim was reached by analysing theoretical perspectives gained from the relevant literature as well as empirical results regarding the nature and extent of HIV/AIDS, especially in South Africa. * To determine by means of a literature study and an empirical investigation the needs of persons diagnosed as being HIV positive or having AIDS. In order to reach this goal, the procedure of survey was used. Schedules were personally completed by the investigator, assisted by field-workers, regarding 110 HIV/AIDS patients. In this manner the needs of the patients could be determined. From the results obtained by this survey, it was evident that HIV/AIDS patients experience various problems and definitely had a need for help. * To investigate by means of a literature study the task of Social Work, and specifically group work, regarding assistance to HIV/AIDS patients. This investigation emphasised that Social Work definitely has a task and responsibility regarding the prevention of HIV/AIDS as well as supplying direct assistance for HIV/AIDS patients. If group work intervention is thoroughly planned, it can render a valuable contribution to the improvement of the sense of well-being and quality of life of these patients. * The aim of the last-mentioned goal was to compile an appropriate programme based on the specific needs of patients and to evaluate it after implementation. This programme was successfully presented in the course of 13 weeks and was in particular suited, not only to improve the knowledge of the HIV/AIDS group members concerning their condition, but also to broaden their insight with regard to the impact of their illness on their social functioning. By means of this programme the group members could develop skills concerning the handling of their condition. * To evaluate the effect of the group work intervention programme on the sense of well-being and quality of life of the patients who have been diagnosed as HIV positive or having AIDS. This goal was attained by measuring on four occasions the sense of well-being and quality of life by means of the measuring scale known as Affectometer 2 (AFM) by Kammann and Flett (1983). The results obtained by this evaluation showed that the group work intervention programme brought about a significant difference in the sense of well-being and quality of life of these HIV/AIDS patients. The sense of well-being of HIV/AIDS patients who participated in the group work intervention programme was significantly higher than that of patients who did not form part of the group work intervention programme. All in all this research undeniably proved that a scientifically grounded, well-planned group work intervention programme can be successfully implemented to improve the quality of life of HIV/AIDS patients. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2002.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Univ., 2004. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.