The aim of this study was to explore African high school boys' articulations of masculinity, the meanings they give to their sexuality and risky sexual behaviours in the age of HIV/AIDS. The study focused on finding out what explanations boys offer for engaging in risky and unsafe sexual practices. The study used qualitative research in the form of focus group discussions and individual interviews. Seven African high school boys aged 16 turning 17 were the source of data. The findings show that some boys engage in unprotected sex, while others indicated that unprotected sex is risky. This study argues that the risky sexual behaviours that boys engage in are closely related to their constructions of masculinity. It also found that the meanings boys give to their sexuality are also influenced by external factors whereby they imitate what their peers do in order to gain acknowledgement from them and the society. Alcohol is a key factor promoting unsafe sexual practices, while social networks, such as Facebook and Mixit, are used by boys to share sex videos and pictures, thus exposing them to too much sex. With regards to implications, this study shows that the notion of being a real man is something that most boys want to achieve. Being a real man is tantamount to being courageous enough to engage in risky practices. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

<p>The effect of industrialisation has thrust the pharmaceutical profession into a clinical paradigm where the approcah to pharmaceutical decisions is more disease and patient orientated. Consequently, South African community pharmacies are inundated with requests from the public for advice and treatment on a wide range of medical conditions, including sexually transmitted infections (STI's). Although community pharmacies are often the first port of call for undiagnosed STI, limited diagnostic skills and legally-imposed prescribing restrictions preclude pharmacists from providing the necessary clinical management. The overarching goal of this dissertation was to present objective arguments and evidences (new and existing) around an expanded role for pharmacists in STI partner management.</p>

Thesis (Dr. P.H.)--University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, 2007. / "May 2007." Includes bibliographical references.

This dissertation thesis touches very current and among public and experts often discussed topic. It concerns particularly matter of papillomaviral infections and vaccination against them. The research proved vaccination-coverage level of respondents and also their knowledge level. The vaccination-coverage level of girls is very high (almost 80%). A lot of girls also used possibility of full vaccination in the age of 13. This dissertation thesis should serve as a source and summary information about HPV viruses, diseases caused by them, about ways of transmission and epidemiological measures. Furthermore it also informs about cervical cancer, risk factors, diagnostical possibilities, therapy and at last but not lest about prevention of cervical carcinoma.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:50:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-03-25 / A infecção pelo herpesvírus humano tipo 8 (HHV-8) e suas correlações clínicas não foram até o presente bem caracterizadas em indivíduos recém-infectados pelo HIV. Esse estudo avalia a prevalência e correlações clínicas da infecção pelo HHV-8 em uma coorte de 228 indivíduos recém-infectados pelo HIV (vírus da imunodeficiência humana), além de estudar a incidência desta infecção após um ano de acompanhamento. As sorologias para HHV-8 foram realizadas através de imunofluorescência indireta para antígenos latentes e líticos. Encontrou-se prevalência de 25,9% (59/228) no início do acompanhamento. No modelo de análise univariada, foram encontradas associações estatisticamente significantes com sexo masculino (p=0,05), transmissão entre homens que fazem sexo com homens (p=0,023), hepatite B (p=0,009), sífilis (0,034) e etnia negra (p=0,021). No modelo multivariado permaneceram as associações com modo de transmissão, hepatite B e etnia negra. Não foram evidenciadas diferenças nas medianas da contagem de linfócitos T CD4+ e na carga viral do HIV de acordo com positividade para o HHV-8. Em termos de incidência, foram observadas 23/127 (18,1%) soroconversões na coorte após 1 ano de acompanhamento. A partir deste estudo pode-se concluir que o HHV-8 é altamente prevalente em indivíduos recém-infectados pelo HIV. Além disso, as correlações encontradas entre o HHV-8 e outras infecções sexualmente transmissíveis corroboram a teoria de que estas infecções compartilham modos de trasmissão comuns. / Background: Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is the etiological agent for Kaposi’s sarcoma, which occurs especially in HIV-infected subjects. HHV-8 infection and its clinical correlates have not been well characterized in recently HIV-1-infected individuals. Methods: We assessed the HHV-8 seroprevalence, clinical correlates, and incidence after one year of follow-up in a cohort of 228 recently HIV-1-infected individuals using indirect immunofluorescence assay. Results: The prevalence of HHV-8 infection at the time of cohort enrollment was 25.9% (59/228). In the univariate model, there were significant associations with male gender (p=0.05), black ethnicity (p=0.021), men who have sex with men (MSM) practice (p=0.023), and previous hepatitis B virus (p=0.009) and syphilis (p=0.034) infections. In the multivariate model we could still demonstrate association with MSM, hepatitis B, and black ethnicity. No differences in mean CD4+ cell counts or HIV viral load according to HHV-8 status were found. In terms of incidence, there were 23/127 (18.1%) seroconversions in the cohort after one year. Conclusions: HHV-8 is highly prevalent among recently HIV-1-infected subjects. Correlations with other sexually transmitted infections suggest common transmission routes. / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

Introdução: A gestação ectópica (GE) corresponde a 6% das mortes maternas no primeiro trimestre, seu diagnóstico está fundamentado em dois exames complementares: ultrassonografia transvaginal (USTV) e dosagem do β-hCG sérico. Contudo, um erro muito comum dos profissionais de saúde é apreciar somente o exame complementar, sem considerar o quadro clínico e os fatores de risco. Usando uma coorte teórica com mais de 800 pacientes com diferentes incidências de GE, Mol e col. propuseram dois modelos probabilísticos para seu diagnóstico: Modelo Fixo e Modelo Flexível. O Modelo Fixo propôs o uso de uma zona discriminatória para os valores de β-hCG sérico, ou seja, concentração acima de 1500 mIU/ml deve haver evidência de gravidez intra-uterina, caso contrário é considerado um caso de EP. Entretanto, entre os dois modelos o Modelo Flexível apresentou melhor desempenho para o diagnostico de GE. Para o diagnostico é necessário a análise dos resultados da USTV, valores de β-hCG sérico, sinais e sintomas, e fatores de risco que consistem em: GE prévia, história de cirurgia tubária, tabagismo, uso de dispositivo intrauterino (DIU), história de ≥ três abortos espontâneos, infertilidade feminina, história de doença inflamatória pélvica (DIP), história de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (ISTs) e ter ≥ cinco parceiros sexuais Objetivo: Avaliar a incidência, os fatores de risco e a presença de sinais e sintomas das mulheres no primeiro trimestre gestacional, atendidas no Setor de Emergência Ginecológica do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA).Método: Trata-se de um estudo de coorte prospectivo realizado no período de 14 de abril de 2011 a 31 de dezembro de 2013 com mulheres com <12 semanas de gestação atendidas no Setor de Emergência Ginecológica do HCPA.Resultados: Foram incluídos no estudo 845 mulheres. A taxa de GE confirmada nesta população foi de 8,5% (95%IC= 6.8 a 10.6). Os fatores de risco mais relevantes para GE foram GE prévia (RR=4; 95%IC= 2.4 a 6.5) e história de cirurgia tubária (RR=2.8; 95%IC= 1.5 a 5.2). Pacientes assintomáticas e sem fator de risco têm uma chance de 5% de ter uma GE. Uma mulher grávida com dor e sangramento presentes e com fator de risco tem 52% mais chances de ter uma GE. Conclusão: A incidência diagnóstica confirmada de GE foi de 8,5% (95%IC= 6.8 a 10.6). Entre os fatores de risco para GE, os que apresentaram maior risco relativo foram, respectivamente, GE prévia e história de cirurgia tubária. Os sinais e sintomas mais relevantes para o diagnóstico de GE foram dor mais sangramento, que estão fortemente, relacionadas ao diagnóstico de GE. / Background: Ectopic Pregnancy (EP) corresponds to 6% of maternal deaths in the first trimester. Its diagnosis is based on two complementary tests: transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUS) and serum β-HCG. However, very common mistake of health professionals is to appreciate only the complementary examination, without considering the clinical picture and the risk factors. Using a theoretical cohort with more than 800 patients with different incidences of EP, Mol et al. proposed two probabilistic models for diagnosis of EP: Fixed Model and Flexible Model. The Fixed Model proposed the use of a discriminatory zone for the values serum β-hCG, i.e., concentration above 1500 mIU/ml there should be evidence of intrauterine pregnancy, otherwise it is considered a case of EP. However, between the models the Flexible Model presented a better performance for diagnosis of EP. This form, it important to analyse of USTV results, serum β-hCG values, signs and symptoms, and risk factors consisting of: previous EP, history of tubal surgery, smoking, use of intrauterine devices (IUD), three or more miscarriage, female infertility, history of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), history of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and more than five sexual partners. These risk factors, however, present variations in different populations Study Design: In this prospective cohort, women between 14 and 49 year old, with a confirmed first trimester pregnancy (gestational age <12 weeks), attend in emergency room setting of HCPA between April 14th, 2011 and December 31st, 2013. Results: A total of 845 women were included in the study. The rate of confirmed EP in this population was 8.5% (n=72; 95% CI, 6.8 to 10.6). The most relevant risk factors for EP were previous EP (RR=4; 95% CI, 2.4 to 6.5) and history of tubal surgery (RR=2.8; 95% CI,1.5 to 5.2). Asymptomatic patients without a risk factor have 5% chance of having an EP. A pregnant woman present with pain and bleeding and if she has a risk factor, the chances of having an EP increase to 52%. Conclusion: A confirmed diagnosis incidence of ectopic pregnancy was 8.5% (95% CI, 6.8 to 10.6). Among the risk factors for EP, those presenting the highest relative risk were, respectively, history of EP and previous tubal surgery. The most relevant signs and symptoms for diagnosis of EP were pain plus bleeding, which are strongly related to the diagnosis of EP.

The diploma work concerns the actual problem of papilomavirus infection and the vaccination against its originators. The gravity lies in the human-organism attack and the further proceeding changes in the human cells and mucous membranes. In many cases this leads to the pre-cancer states or even worse, to the cervix carcinoma. The work is divided into two parts, first theory, and second practice. The aim was to evaluate the vaccination against papilomviruses at the female-students of the University firstly, secondly to map the topic knowledge, and thirdly to monitor if the female-students visit their gynaecologist on regular basis. The theory concerns all the epidemiology, virology, clinical and diagnosis aspects of the papilomavirus infections, including the vaccination as a prevention possibility. In practice, there were run two anonymous questionnaire searches, first aimed on the female-students, second on the male-students only. The questions were focused on the level of the topic knowledge and the level of the both sex students vaccination, including the reasons of their non-interest in the possible vaccination, next the frequency of the girls? screenings in the gynaecologist practices. The research proved certain level of the respondents? topic knowledge and compared the existing differences among faculties. Another research conclusion is that the vaccination of the female-respondents is not very high, only 23,75% has already been vaccinated against the virus. Many young ladies underestimate the vaccination, and have more or less serious reasons why not to have them vaccinated. More than half of the respondents don?t do so because of the vaccine high price. This work should serve the women and young ladies, but also the young men as a source of the needed information. This means to improve the virus knowledge itself, its means of transmission, the diagnosis process or the treatment possibilities; overall the ways of primary prevention, with the ways of infection expanding prevention.

My theses deal with evaluation of the level of cooperation among chosen medical facilities and organs protecting public health (OOVZ) in the area of detection and reporting some of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in Strakonice region. The main objective was to characterize the quality of this cooperation on the basis of an analysis of laboratory-proven, clinically confirmed, reported and then demonstrated cases of STDs. It concerned chlamydial infections, urogenital diseases caused by mycoplasma, syphilis and gonococcal infections in 2005 - 2011. Research data were obtained from the microbiology laboratory information system of the Central Laboratories of Hospital Strakonice, Inc. Then all the medical facilities of the surrounding area, which took biological material and sent it for examination to the microbiological laboratory of Hospital Strakonice, were contacted. In qualitative research two research questions were formulated: whether the laboratory-positive cases of selected sexually transmitted diseases are also confirmed clinically and whether the laboratory and clinically confirmed diseases are reported in all cases to OOVZ and assigned in health information systems services. All positive laboratory findings were also verified and confirmed clinically. The research proved that in all cases were reported classical sexually transmitted infections (syphilis and gonorrhea). The established system of cooperation between microbiological laboratories, national reference laboratories, dermatovenerological consultant, venereological screening nurse and the Public Health Service is very functional. In contrast, other selected sexually transmitted diseases, which are diagnosed by specialists other than dermatovenerologists, are reported in fewer cases.

Sex is a natural means of reproduction, but by far it is not practised solely for that purpose. In recent years there has been a large release of morality and today we would hardly find a young person with a belief that sex serves for reproduction only. Sexual life is no longer taboo and therefore it is necessary to speak also about the adverse phenomena that accompany it. There is unwanted pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Sexually transmitted diseases present a serious global problem that does not fudge even our society. Young people represent the largest risk group in terms of infection who go through various relationsship selecting a permanent partner. The primary prevention is the most important way how to fight against sexually transmitted diseases, and it is important particularly for those who have not begun yet to live sexually. For this reason it is often implemented in the form of prevention programs in school facilities. The current situation of sexually transmitted diseases in the Czech Republic was charted in the theoretical part of this work. The goal of the practical part of this work was to obtain an overview of the effectiveness of prevention programs in the primary prevention of sexually transmitted diseases among students of Health and Social Studies University of South Bohemia. There were defined four hypotheses for this purpose. The first hypothesis: Young people get more information about the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases from the media and from their peers than from schools and parents. The second hypothesis: Experience with random sex has a quarter of respondents. The third hypothesis was formulated as follows: Women have more knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases than men. The fourth hypothesis: Women observe the principles of safe sex more than men. The quantitative research, questioning method and questionnaire technique were used to collect empirical data. The questionnaire was anonymous and had electronic form. The research sample consisted of full-time bachelor programs students of Health and Social Studies University of South Bohemia, who belong by their age structure into the most vulnerable group of infection of sexually transmitted diseases. Respondents. The research was attended by 531 respondents. The first, third and fourth hypothesis were not confirmed on the based of a statistical test. The third hypothesis was confirmed statistically. The descriptive statistics shows that young adults do not have sufficient knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases and have no fear of the disease, which is also reflected in their behavior. The prevention programs for primary prevention of sexually transmitted diseases in the Czech Republic are not quite sufficient, according to the achieved results and in my opinion, and we can not talk about their proven effectiveness. It can be said they provide at least some awareness of the risks associated with sexual intercourse. In my opinion, it is necessary to establish the precise form of the curriculum and to incorporate sex education into the framework of the educational plan as a separate subject in school facilities as basic and secondary. It is necessary to involve parents into the process of primary prevention by increasing their awareness and to pass the acquired information. It is also necessary to promote a form of barrier contraception and introduce general preventive programs in the fight against sexually transmitted diseases.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-23T13:56:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Denis Ribeiro.pdf: 1211196 bytes, checksum: d5b9c02d94d63128d073a69e2d094419 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-07-12 / Os objetivos deste estudo foram determinar a prevalência de sífilis (positividade do teste treponêmico) por região geográfica, descrever conhecimentos e fatores comportamentais relacionados às DST, em conscritos do Brasil. Foi realizado um estudo transversal com os conscritos que se apresentaram para seleção nas Forças Armadas do Brasil, no ano de 2007. Os jovens responderam a um questionário autoaplicável contendo informações sociodemográficas, sobre prática sexual, uso de preservativo, ocorrência de sinais e sintomas de DST e coletaram amostra de sangue para realização de teste treponêmico para sífilis. Um total de 35.460 conscritos responderam ao questionário e, destes, 75,5% já havia mantido relação sexual. A prevalência de sífilis foi 0,53% (IC95% 0,45%-0,61%) e por região geográfica: Norte (0,85%), Nordeste (0,82%), sendo quase o dobro da região Centro-Oeste (0,49%) e, mais que o dobro das regiões Sudeste (0,34%) e Sul (0,26%). Foram associadas com a sífilis: ter 17 anos de idade [OR=1,3 (IC95% 1,05-1,73)], ensino fundamental [OR=1,5 (IC95% 1,03- 2,22)], morar nas regiões norte/nordeste [OR=1,2 (IC95% 1,04-1,36)], relatar história de DST [OR=2,7 (IC95% 1,03-6,99)], ser HSH [OR=4,5 (IC95% 2,59-7,81)], e relato de antecedente de úlcera genital [OR=2,6 (IC95% 1,59-4,26)]. As variáveis associadas a menor escolaridade (até oito anos de estudo) foram: ter 19 ou 20 anos [OR= 1,2 (IC95%: 1,18-1,32)], afirmações errôneas sobre a transmissão de DST, tais como: ingestão de alimento contaminado [OR= 2,2 (IC95%: 1,96-2,55)], tomar banho em rios/praias [OR= 1,5 (IC95%: 1,27-1,88)], picada de mosquitos [OR= 1,5 (IC95%: 1,38-1,65)] e, início de atividade sexual antes dos 14 anos de idade [OR= 1,4 (IC95%: 1,33-1,55)]. As variáveis com associação negativa foram: autodeclarado branco [OR= 0,9 (IC95%: 0,82-0,91)], 10 afirmações corretas sobre a transmissão das DST, tais como: compartilhamento de seringas e agulhas [OR= 0,7 (IC95%: 0,62-0,78)], transmissão da mãe para o filho, no parto e na amamentação [OR= 0,6 (IC95%: 0,58-0,69)], uso de preservativo na última relação sexual [OR= 0,8 (IC95%: 0,71-0,85)], autodeclarado HSH [OR= 0,7 (IC95%: 0,60-0,92)], e reconhecimento do não uso do preservativo como aumento do risco de transmissão [OR= 0,4 (IC 95%: 0,37-0,51)]. Os programas educativos sobre DST devem ser dinâmicos e abrangentes, envolvendo adolescentes, pais e educadores, pois o conhecimento isolado das formas de transmissão das DST não é suficiente para plena proteção dos jovens. / The objectives of this study were to describe the prevalence of syphilis (positivity in the treponemal test) by geographic region and frequency of behaviors and symptoms related to STD and describe knowledge of military draftees related to STD. A cross-sectional study was performed with the draftees who attended the Brazilian Armed Forces in 2007. The young males answered a self-administered questionnaire on sociodemographic issues, sexual practice and condom use, occurrence of signs and symptoms of STD and had a blood sample collected for the treponemal test for syphilis. A total of 35,460 draftees answered the questionnaire and 75.5% of these had already had sexual intercourse. The overall prevalence of syphilis was 0.53% (95% CI 0.45%-0.61%) and by geographic region: North (0.85%), Northeast (0.82%), and nearly double the 11 Midwest region (0.49%) and more than double the Southeast (0.34%) and South (0.26%). Having 17 years old [OR = 1.3 (95% CI 1.05-1.73)], having completed primary education [OR = 1.5 (95% CI 1.03-2.22)], living in the north/northeast region of the country [OR = 1.2 (95% CI 1.04-1.36)], reporting a history of STD [OR = 2.7 (95% CI 1.03-6.99)], being MSM [OR = 4.5 (95% CI 2.59-7.81)], and reporting genital ulcer disease [OR = 2.6 (95% CI 1.59-4.26)] were associated with syphilis. Variables associated with lower education (up to eight years of education) were: being 19-20 years old [OR 1.2 (95% CI: 1.18 to 1.32)], STD transmission by eating contaminated food [OR 2.2 (95% CI: 1,96-2.55)], by bathing in rivers/beaches [OR 1.5 (95% CI: 1.27-1.88)], by mosquito bites [OR 1.5 (95% CI: 1.38-1.65)], and by having sexual intercourse <=14 years old [OR 1.4 (95% CI: 1.33-1.55)]. Variables were negatively associated: being white [OR 0.9 (95% CI: 0.82-0.91)], knowing that the infection was due to the sharing of syringes and needles [OR 0.7 (95% CI: 0.62-0.78)], mother-to-child transmission [OR 0.6 (95% CI: 0.58-0.69)], having used a condom in the last sexual intercourse [OR 0.8 (95% CI: 0.71-0.85)], MSM [OR 0.7 (95% CI: 0.60-0.92)], and knowing that having sex without condoms increases the risk of transmission [OR 0.4 (95% CI: 0,37-0,51)]. STD education programs must be dynamic and comprehensive; involving teens, their parents and educators, for isolated knowledge about ways STD transmission is not sufficient for full protection of young people.