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The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between four personality styles and two important indications of HIV risk behavior, at intake and 3-month follow-up, among a sample of adolescents participating in court-mandated substance abuse treatment in conjunction with an HIV prevention intervention. This study involved a secondary analysis of data from a NIDA funded project (1R01DA011875-01, R. Malow, PI). Predictor variables included levels of antisocial (unruly), dependent(submissive), avoidant (inhibited), and borderline (borderline tendency) personality styles drawn from scales of the Million Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI). Criterion variables included number of sexual partners and percentage of sex acts unprotected, derived from the Risk Behavior Assessment (RBA). A series of hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to test study hypotheses. Analyses controlled for age, ethnicity, education, gender, intervention status, the three personality variables not central to the hypothesis being tested, and baseline values of sexual risk behavior, when relevant. Results from the multiple regression analyses failed to support study hypotheses,indicating that adolescent personality styles were not important predictors of HIV risk behavior. Results are discussed within the context of the relevant literature. Study limitations and recommendations for future research are noted.

Yes / This study explored the perspectives of Black men, originally from East Africa, living in the United Kingdom and their partners on what it means to live with diagnosed HIV. This article reports on concealment of HIVpositive status as a strategy adopted by the affected participants to manage the flow of information about their HIV-positive status. Analysis of the data, collected using in-depth interviews involving 23 participants, found widespread selective concealment of HIV-positive status. However, a few respondents had ‘come out’ publicly about their condition. HIV prevention initiatives should recognise concealment as a vital strategy in managing communication about one’s HIV-positive status.

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are heterogeneous with respect to sexual behavior. We examined differences in sexual risk behaviors and HIV protective behaviors between men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) and men who have sex with men only (MSMO). Among MSMW, we also examined associations between partner gender and disclosure of same-sex attraction to sexual risk behaviors. Methods: Data for this analysis were from MSM who participated in National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) in 2011 and 2014. Prevalence differences comparing MSMW and MSMO were calculated for demographics and behaviors. Adjusted prevalence ratios comparing MSMW to MSMO were calculated for the outcomes condomless sex, exchange sex, testing for HIV, and disclosure of same-sex behavior. Results: MSMW were less likely than MSMO to have condomless sex with male partners (aPR 0.77; 95%CI 0.73-0.80), to have been diagnosed with another STD (aPR 0.83; 95%CI 0.73-0.95), and to disclose their same-sex behavior to healthcare providers (aPR 0.72; 95%CI 0.69-0.76). However, MSMW were more likely than MSMO to engage in exchange sex (aPR 2.43; 95%CI 2.17-2.72) and to have ever injected drugs (aPR 2.00; 95%CI 1.76-2.28) Conclusions: MSMW have distinctive sexual risk behaviors and could benefit from tailored interventions to reduce the prevalence of HIV in this population.

More than 25 years have passed since the first cases of HIV/AIDS were reported and a decade since highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was introduced as part of the continuum of care for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The introduction of HAART as a continuum of care for PLWHA positively changed the characteristics of HIV/AIDS epidemic, contributing for significant declines of HIV/AIDS-related morbidity and mortality rates. Thus, a new era began with HAART, often referred as the “HAART era”. However, HAART also brought with it new challenges and issues for researchers working in the field of HIV/AIDS. This thesis comprises several studies that were designed to gain understanding of some issues on prevention and management of HIV/AIDS that emerged in the current HAART era. The review of the literature points out for many emergent issues in HAART era, but only some issues were researched and presented in this thesis.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, 2009. / Advisor: Michael W. Ross. Includes bibliographical references.

Approfondir les connaissances sur l'évolution et les facteurs associés aux comportements sexuels chez les PVVIH exposées aux traitements antirétroviraux en Afrique subsaharienne. Données collectées dans le cadre d'un essai randomisé conduit dans neuf hôpitaux de district ruraux au Cameroun. 459 PVVIH éligibles au traitement inclus et suivis sur 24 mois. Régression logistique à effets mixtes utilisée pour analyser les facteurs associés aux différentes variables réponses étudiées.La proportion des patients sexuellement actifs augmente de 32% à l'inclusion à 56% après 24 mois de traitement. Une augmentation supplémentaire du temps depuis l'initiation du traitement de 6 mois augmente de 30% de la probabilité de déclarer une activité sexuelle sous ARV. Proportion des patients ayant des comportements sexuels à risque (CSR) baisse significativement de 76% à l'inclusion à 66% au 24e mois, les patients obervants au traitement étaient moins susceptibles de rapporter les CSR. La proportion des patients susceptibles de transmettre le VIH par voie sexuelle (STVIH) baisse de 76% à l'inclusion à 27% après 24 mois de traitement ARV. Une augmentation du temps depuis l'initiation du traitement de 6 mois réduit de 66% la STVIH. Mes travaux montrent un impact positif des ARV sur l'activité sexuelle des PVVIH, les CSR et la STVIH, suggérant un effet positif de l'exposition des PVVIH aux traitements ARV sur la prévention de la transmission sexuelle du VIH. Mais, le risque potentiel de transmission du VIH persiste nécessitant le renforcement des interventions de réduction des risques dans les programmes d'accès aux ARV. / To evaluate the evolution and factors associated with sexual behavior among PLWHA exposed to antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa. Data collected as part of a randomized trial conducted in nine rural district hospitals in Cameroon. 459 PLWHA eligible for treatment included and followed for 24 months. Mixed effects logistic regression used to analyze factors associated with different response variables studied. Proportion of patients sexually active increased from 32% at baseline to 56% after 24 months of treatment. An additional 6 months increase of the time since initiation of treatment increase in 30% the probability of reporting sexual activity. Proportion of patients with sexual risk behavior (SRB) decreased significantly from 76% at baseline to 66% at 24 months and patient obervants to treatment were less likely to report CSR. Proportion of patients likely to transmit HIV through sexual intercourse (STVIH) decrease from 76% at baseline to 27% after 24 months of HAART. Analyses shown that increasing in 6 months of time since initiation of treatment reduced STVIH by 66%. My dissertation show a positive impact of ART on sexual activity, CSR and STVIH among PLWHA, suggesting a positive effect of exposure to HAART on the prevention of sexual transmission of HIV. However, the potential risk of transmission of HIV persists requiring strengthening risk reduction interventions in HAART access programs.

This study aimed at assessing factors related to male participation in PMTCT in three public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A quantitative, descriptive correlational design was used to assess correlation between male participation and socio-demographics, knowledge and awareness in HIV/PMTCT, socio-cultural belief, programmatic factors and reported risk. Male partners (n=216) were interviewed and reviews of HIV counselling and testing (HCT) acceptance formats were made. The major findings were 54.5% (n=156) males reported receiving HCT during their visit to partner’s antenatal care. Some 71.5 % (n=677) of women were accompanied to labour wards by male partners; 86.5% (n=208) of males accepted intra-partum HCT; 55.1% (n=216) scored above the mean score (10) on a 15-point scale for male participation. Male participation in PMTCT was found to have a statistically significant but weak correlation with educational level (r=0.193), income (r=0.167), PMTCT knowledge and awareness (r=0.172), socio-cultural belief (r=-0.164) and reported risk (r=-0.23). / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

This study aimed at assessing factors related to male participation in PMTCT in three public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A quantitative, descriptive correlational design was used to assess correlation between male participation and socio-demographics, knowledge and awareness in HIV/PMTCT, socio-cultural belief, programmatic factors and reported risk. Male partners (n=216) were interviewed and reviews of HIV counselling and testing (HCT) acceptance formats were made. The major findings were 54.5% (n=156) males reported receiving HCT during their visit to partner’s antenatal care. Some 71.5 % (n=677) of women were accompanied to labour wards by male partners; 86.5% (n=208) of males accepted intra-partum HCT; 55.1% (n=216) scored above the mean score (10) on a 15-point scale for male participation. Male participation in PMTCT was found to have a statistically significant but weak correlation with educational level (r=0.193), income (r=0.167), PMTCT knowledge and awareness (r=0.172), socio-cultural belief (r=-0.164) and reported risk (r=-0.23). / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)