Magister Public Health - MPH / The increased number of new infections in Uganda necessitates HIV prevention programmes that address risky behaviours especially among heterosexual populations. The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) is the largest indigenous HIV/AIDS agency serving Uganda and the Great Lakes Region. TASO endeavours to empower sexually active clients to disclose their sero-status to their sexual partners and promotes partner testing for HIV. In spite of these efforts, only 12% of 2,071 sexually active clients in Mulago centre had disclosed by the end of 2006. This study aimed to explore the factors that influence clients’ decisions to disclose their HIV status to their partners in TASO Mulago, Kampala, Uganda. The study used a qualitative approach. Fourteen (14) in-depth interviews were conducted with English and Luganda speaking adult male and female clients on antiretroviral treatment (ART), in TASO Mulago. A focus group discussion (FGD) was conducted with 8 purposively selected ART clients who were considered to be ‘expert’ clients in TASO Mulago. These participants were expert clients/ peer educators, who were open about their HIV status and have been involved in HIV/AIDS education and advocacy. The individual interviews and the focus group discussion were transcribed verbatim, and subjected to thematic and content analysis. Male and female participants who were married (primary relationship) disclosed their sero-status to their sexual partners, while few of those cohabiting or in steady relationship (only one) disclosed to their partners. Enabling factors to disclose to current sexual partners included: desire for partner to get treatment, need for the partner’s support, having prior knowledge of partner’s HIV status, out of anger, and having anxiety about the future. Some of the barriers to disclosure included: fear of blame and disappointing the partner, fear of abandonment, fear of stigma and discrimination Participants suggested that couple counselling and testing, economic independence, peer support and involvement of the TASO staff in disclosure should be considered to facilitate or promote disclosure to sexual partners.While strategies like HBHCT and couple counselling have enhanced disclosure among sexual partners on ART living together in stable married relationships (primary), the partners in secondary relationships (cohabiting and steady) especially women, continue to face challenges in disclosure yet their sexual partners are at risk of HIV infection. The study has re-affirmed the fact that while some people living with HIV/AIDS wish to disclose their HIV status to their partners, there are compound factors that make it difficult to disclose. This calls for effective strategies by government, TASO and other agencies to ensure that sexual partners especially in cohabiting and steady relationships are disclosed to in order to reduce their vulnerability to HIV infection.

A ?-talassemia, uma hemoglobinopatia, é caracterizada como um distúrbio hereditário monogênico onde a síntese das cadeias globínicas ? está alterada. Devido desiquilíbrio na relação entre as cadeias ? e ? produzidas, observa-se um excesso de cadeias ? livres, determinante da fisiopatologia da doença. As manifestações observadas são eritropoese ineficaz, hemólise extramedular, anemia, expansão medular, esplenomegalia, deformidades ósseas e acúmulo de ferro. Clinicamente classifica-se como ?-talassemia major (BTM) a forma mais grave da doença, devido à ausência de cadeias ? (?0) ou redução acentuada (?+) acarretando em dependência de transfusões sanguíneas periódicas, para sobrevivência. O traço ?-talassêmico (BTT) antes vistos como assintomáticos, também apresentam alterações, inclusive acúmulo de ferro e eritropoese ineficaz, mas não são dependentes de transfusão e tampouco passam por acompanhamento médico. Extremamente heterogênea, apresenta diversos fenótipos e mais de 300 alterações moleculares causadoras de ?-talassemia já foram descritas em todo mundo. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as mutações de ?-talassemia em Ribeirão Preto-SP e procurar associar tais alterações à avaliação hematológica e do status férrico, na tentativa de estabelecer uma relação genótipo-fenótipo. Para tanto, 27 BTM, 23 BTT e 28 controles foram recrutados no Ambulatório de Hemoglobinopatias, do HC/FMRP-USP de Ribeirão Preto. Por meio de PCR-Alelo Específico, pesquisamos as quatro mutações mais comuns no Brasil: CD39 (CAG->TAG), IVS1-110 (G->A), IVS1-6 (T->C) e IVS1-1 (G ->A). A distribuição foi 64% CD39, 26% IVS1-110 e 4% IVS1-6. A análise de covariância e comparação múltiplas, entre os grupos formados e o controle, revelou alterações hematológicas e no status férrico. Os pacientes BTM com a mutação CD39, em sua forma heterozigota ou homozigota, e heterozigotos para a IVS1-110, revelaram anemia grave e intensa sobrecarga de ferro. Os BTT heterozigotos para CD39 demonstraram comprometimento do metabolismo ferro e/ou eritropoese. A adoção de medidas paliativas e de monitoramento aos BTT faz-se necessária, uma vez que, alterações apresentadas associam-se a desordens graves, mas quando não negligenciadas podem ser facilmente prevenidas. A metodologia adotada demonstrou-se eficaz para a pesquisa das mutações estudadas. Embora tenhamos conseguido observar uma relação genótipo-fenótipo, um estudo multicêntrico da população brasileira proporcionará a identificação de mais relações, principalmente nos fenótipos menos prevalentes em nossa região, contribuindo para a compreensão da heterogeneidade da ?-talassemia. / The ?-thalassemia, one haemoglobinopathies, is characterized as a monogenic hereditary disorder where the synthesis of ? globin chains is modified. Due to imbalance in the relationship between production of ? and ? chains, there is an excess of free ? chain that determines the pathophysiology of the disease. Manifestations observed are ineffective erythropoiesis, extra medullary hemolysis, anemia, bone marrow expansion, splenomegaly, bone deformities and iron accumulation. Clinically is classified as ?-thalassemia major (BTM), the most severe form of the disease, as a result of the absence of ? chains (?0) or very large reduction of these (?+) resulting in dependence on regular blood transfusions to survive. The ?-thalassemia trait (BTT) before seen as asymptomatic, also show changes, including iron accumulation and ineffective erythropoiesis, despite of that they aren\'t dependent on transfusion nor undergo medical care. It is extremely heterogeneous, presents several phenotypes and more than 300 molecular changes that causing ?-thalassemia have been described worldwide. The purpose of this study was to identify ?-thalassemia mutations in Ribeirao Preto-Brazil and to explore changes in hematological evaluation and iron status in an attempt to establish a genotype-phenotype relationship. Therefore, a group of 27 BTM, 23 BTT and 28 controls were recruited from the outpatient clinic of hemoglobinopathies, from The Clinical Hospital of Medical School of Ribeirao Preto (HC / FMRP-USP), Brazil. Adopting the technique ARMS (Amplification Refractory Mutation System), we searched for the four most common mutations in Brazil: CD39 (CAG -> TAG), IVS1-110 (G -> A), IVS1-6 (T -> C) and IVS1-1 (G -> A). The distribution was 64% presents CD39 mutation, followed by IVS1-110 e IVS1-6, with 26% and 4% respectively. Covariance Analysis and multiple comparison between the studies groups and control, showed differences in hematological parameters and in iron status either. The BTM heterozygous or homozygous for CD39 mutation and heterozygous for IVS1-110 revealed severe anemia and iron overload. The BTT heterozygous for CD39 showed impairment of iron metabolism and / or erythropoiesis. It is necessary the monitorization of the BTT patients is necessary, since changes presented by them are associated with serious disorders, the adoption of mitigation measures which when are not neglected can be easily prevented. The methodology proved to be effective for the investigation of mutations studied. While we were able to observe a genotype-phenotype relationship, a multicenter study of the Brazilian population will provide the identification of more relations, especially in less prevalent phenotypes in our region, contributing to the understanding of the heterogeneity of ?-thalassemia.

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / Previous studies on motivation of higher education students have predominantly focused on the role of motivation in academic achievement. The aim of this study was to identify what motivates students to attend university and to establish the connection of this motivational orientation to demographic correlates. A correlational research design was employed and data was analysed by means of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Correlational analysis (Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r)) was used to determine the strength of the association between demographic factors and student motivations for attending university.

Tato diplomová práce se zabývá možnostmi zjištění stavu všech replik ve FreeIPA infrastruktuře. Na úvod práce jsou vysvětleny důležité pojmy jako FreeIPA, FreeIPA infrastruktura a replika. FreeIPA server se skládá z několika součástí, které budou popsány podrobněji.  Nástroj navržený v této práci využívá SNMP pro sledování stavu služeb běžících na FreeIPA serveru. Nástroj má dvě základní části, kterými jsou konfigurace SNMP agenta a uživatelské rozhraní.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) causes 5% of all strokes and is responsible for about 18,000 deaths per year in the United States (Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, 2008). The incidence of SAH has been estimated at 6 to 8 per 100,000 persons per year (Linn, Rinkel, Algra, & van Gijn, 1996). In nearly 15% (range 5–34%) of patients with SAH, no source of hemorrhage can be identified via four-vessel cerebral angiography (Alen et al., 2003; Gupta et al., 2009), resulting in two major types of SAH: aneurysmal (ASAH) and nonaneurysmal (NASAH). Anecdotal evidence and contradictory research suggest that patients with NASAH experience some of the same health-related quality of life (HRQOL) issues as patients with ASAH. The purpose of this quantitative survey design study was to compare health-related quality of life (HRQOL) 1 to 3 years post-hemorrhage in patients who have experienced a NASAH to those who have experienced an ASAH. This is the first US study to specifically investigate HRQOL in NASAH and the second study comparing HRQOL outcomes between aneurysmal and nonaneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients. Our results are comparable to the first study by Hutter and Gilsbach, (1995), which also found that the two groups are much more similar than different. There were no significant differences between 28 of the 36 demographic and clinical characteristics examined in this study. Our study confirms previous findings that there is a significant impact on employment for both hemorrhage groups and an even greater inability to return to work for the NASAH patients. The nonaneurysmal group had more physical symptom complaints while the aneurysmal group had more emotional symptoms. Lastly, both groups had low levels of PTSD, and these levels did not differ significantly between groups. However, PTSD and social support were shown by regression analysis to impact HRQOL for both groups. We recommend that clinicians assess for PTSD in all subarachnoid hemorrhage patients and institute treatment early, which will decrease the negative effects on HRQOL. This may include offering psychological services or social work early in the hospital course to all SAH patients. Further research and policy changes are needed to assist in interventions that improve vocational reintegration after SAH. NASAH patients should no longer be referred to as having suffered a “benign hemorrhage.” They have had a life changing hemorrhage that may forever change their lives and impact their HRQOL.

No description available.

No description available.

The purpose of this study is to investigate why young middle-class boys aged 15 to 17 become involved in gang crime, a phenomenon traditionally associated with youth from lower socioeconomic groups. The study employs a qualitative method, consisting of semi-structured interviews with middle-class boys aged 15-17 and professionals within schools, the police, and other occupations that interact with youth on a daily basis. The aim is to examine the personal, social, and cultural factors that drive or prevent middle-class boys from engaging in gang crime. The findings indicate that the search for authority and status, parental control, and popular culture are central factors contributing to the involvement of young middle-class boys in gang crime. Middle-class boys, with good home environments and strong relationships with their parents, can still become engaged in gang crime to achieve group belonging and masculinity. Furthermore, the results show that both school and social interactions can function as risk and protective factors for youth. This study challenges previous assumptions that gang crime is associated with low socioeconomic status by highlighting the involvement of middle-class boys in these environments. The study provides new insights into why young middle-class boys, ages 15 to 17, become involved in gang crime.

Tidigare forskning har visat på att priset på livsmedel påverkar konsumtionen och att flera individuella faktorer så som ålder, kön, utbildning och inkomst både påverkar kvalitén på ens kostvanor och hur mycket ekologiska livsmedel man äter. Utifrån denna bakgrund togs syftet till denna studie fram: “Att undersöka ett urval av svenskars inköpsvanor med avseende på ekologisk mat och dryck samt vilka faktorer som ligger bakom att välja bort inköp av ekologiska produkter” och följande frågeställningar skulle besvaras: 1 - Hur ofta köper svenskar ekologiska livsmedel? 2 - Vilka faktorer kan ligga bakom att man väljer bort ekologiska livsmedel? Metod: En enkätstudie genomfördes och totalt deltog 105 personer i undersökningen. Fyra frågor, “Köper du någonsin ekologisk mat?”, “Köper du ekologisk mat oftare än en gång i månaden?”, “Avstår du ifrån att köpa ekologiska livsmedel för att det är för dyrt?” och “Är du intresserad av ekologisk mat?” testades utifrån följande variabler: ålder, kön, utbildning, inkomst och yrkesklass. Resultatet visar att priset är en avgörande faktor, men mer i vissa grupper. För högt pris är en större anledning till att man väljer bort ekologiska livsmedel bland personer med en inkomst på under 150 000kr/år jämfört med dem som har en inkomst på över 150 000kr/år (p=0,024) och hos personer under 30 år gamla jämfört med personer äldre än 31 år (p=0,025). Intresset för ekologisk mat var större hos arbetare än hos tjänstemän (p=0,025). Slutsatsen som kan dras utifrån denna undersökning är att pris och inkomst är viktiga faktorer för huruvida svenskar köper ekologiska produkter eller inte, något som ligger i linje med tidigare forskning. Resultatet öppnar även upp för andra frågor och möjligheterna till vidare forskning inom området är stora.

Syftet med detta arbete är att erhålla kunskap om hur fritidspedagogers uppdrag i skolsamverkan uppfattas av rektor, lärare och fritidspedagog själv, samt hur dessa uppfattningar påverkar skolsamverkan i praktiken. Studien är en fallstudie där kvalitativa intervjuer har genomförts med en rektor, två lärare och en fritidspedagog. Intervjuerna har varvats med observationer av fritidspedagogens roll i klassrummet. Informanterna i studien har varit representativa individer för de olika yrkeskategorierna, på så vis är de analysenheter i studien. Informanternas uppfattningar och de data som framkommit i observationerna har bidragit till genoförandet av analysen i studien. Några av de resultat som redovisas i studien är att fritidspedagogens roll i skolsamverkan är, utifrån styrdokumenten, svårtolkade. Fritidspedagogen tilldelas, av rektor och lärare, kompetenser som handlar om socialt samspel och praktiskt-estetiskt arbete. Ytterligare ett resultat handlar om tidsbristen för att utöva gemensam planering. En slutsats som dragits i studien är att fritidspedagogens kompetenser inte tas tillvara i skolsamverkan. En andra slutsats handlar om avsaknaden av samverkan i arbetslaget. En tredje handlar om att fritidspedagogen roll i skolsamverkan påverkas av personaltillgång på skolan.