Dissertation (Ph.D.) -- The Institute for Clinical Social Work, 2003. / A dissertation submitted to the faculty of the Institute of Clinical Social Work in partial fulfillment for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Thesis (M.s.)--Northern Michigan University, 2006. / Bibliography: leaves 32-33.

Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / The use and abuse of illicit drugs is a challenge which affects people on a global scale and South Africa. The use of a new street drug known as nyaope (whonga) has been on the rise in the country amongst the youth, including university students. Its use is associated with a wide range of negative consequences such as poor academic performance, aggression, vandalism, rape, risky sexual behaviours, and social dysfunctionality. The main objective of this study was to explore the self-reported experiences and behaviours of students who use nyaope at the University of Limpopo. The study was qualitative in nature as the researcher wanted to gather first-hand, in-depth information. The sample was purposive in nature and consisted of 6 participants. Quality criteria were used to ensure the quality and rigour of the findings. Thematic content analysis (TCA) was used to analyse data. Six major themes emerged from the analysis which were supported by existing findings. The themes were identified as: causes of drug use, frequency of drug use, experiences of students, knowledge about the negative implications of the drug and self-reported behaviours. Participants reported experiencing a decline in academic performance, deteriorating relationships with others, poor physical and psychological wellbeing, behavioural changes and perceiving that they were discriminated against. The findings of this study are useful to aid in informing policy and interventions at the University. They may also help psychologists who work with drug abusers

INTRODUCTION: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection remains prevalent among the minority and drug using population in the United States. Testing for HIV is an important and cost effective way to reduce HIV prevalence. OBJECTIVE: To assess the HIV testing behavior of people who use non-injected drugs (PWND) and compare it to that of people who use injected drugs (PWID), in order to determine which factors, in terms of social context as well as individual risks, predict HIV testing among the PWND. METHOD: A cross-sectional study of HIV testing behavior of PWND compared to PWID was conducted and the data was analyzed by applying negative binomial regression models. Then, a negative binomial regression using generalized estimating equation (GEE) was employed in order to identify the predictive factors for HIV testing among PWND over a 2-year period. RESULTS: Individuals who reported using injected drugs tended to undergo HIV tests more often compared to those who used non-injected drugs, PR (95% CI) = 1.24 (1.02, 1.51), p = 0.03. The interaction term between injection status and emotional support in relation to HIV testing was significant, 0.75 (0.59, 0.97), p = 0.03. PWID that had access to greater emotional support on average tended to test for HIV less frequently than did PWID with less emotional support. In stratified analyses, emotional support was negatively associated with testing among PWID and positively associated among PWND, though both relationships were borderline significant. HIV testing among users of illicit drugs was dependent on emotional support. According to the GEE models examining the factors predicting HIV testing among PWND, sexually transmitted infections, non-injected heroin use, being in drug treatment, engagement in sexual transactions, and instability in drug networks were the main factors contributing to being HIV tested, as well as frequency of testing. The positive influence of emotional support on these variables was borderline significant. CONCLUSION: People who use non-injected drugs are less likely to test for HIV compared to those who use injected drugs, though they may share similar risk factors for HIV transmission and acquisition. To exert a greater impact on the HIV epidemic, interventions and policies encouraging HIV testing in this subpopulation, which remains under-recognized by both researchers and health practitioners in terms of the potential risks for contracting the HIV, are warranted.

Despite increased involvement in the criminal justice system among populations of migrants, people who inject drugs, and drug-involved men in community corrections, few studies investigate associations between involvement in the criminal justice system and sexual and injection drug risks among these key-affected populations and their intimate partners. To address these gaps the following dissertation study investigated the association between exposures to the criminal justice system and sexual and injection drug risks among three key affected populations: 1) male labor migrants in Almaty, Kazakhstan, 2) people who inject drugs and their intimate partners in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and 3) drug-involved men in community corrections in New York City, NY in the United States. Using the three-paper model, the following dissertation sheds new insights into how exposures to the risk environment shape sexual and injection HIV risks to inform HIV prevention research and practice with populations disproportionately involved in criminal justice systems.

A qualitative interview study how the normative gender images affects on women, their roles and positions in a drug abuse. The purpose of this study aims to shed a light at the consequences that the normative gender scenario inflicts on women with drug abuse and how these prejudices affects these women. Based on interviews with four different women who all lived with a drug abuse we have problematized how the gender system and the normative gender images affected them. We have used gender perspectives and social constructivism theories while analyzing the empirical basis. More specifically we use the theories of Butler about how gender constructs through performative actions and Hirdmans theories of the gender system. The paper ends with a discussion of the result and a description of how the women through the socialization process is shaped to meet the normative image of women. In the subculture they adopt a more masculine appearance in order to achieve respect and status. When the women decides to leave the drug abuse and the subculture they are expected to once again adapt to the normative image of their gender, which on a micro level becomes a rollercoaster of gender strategies for the individual woman.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1986.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1983.

The problem of the study was to determine the status of bloodborne pathogen education for injection drug users in Indiana hospital emergency departments. The study was designed to answer the following research questions: (a) Do Indiana hospital emergency departments have written policies on bloodborne pathogen education for injection drug users? (b) To what extent do Indiana hospital emergency departments provide bloodborne pathogen education for injection drug users? and (c) What are the major barriers for Indiana hospital emergency departments in providing bloodborne pathogen education for injection drug users?A valid instrument was developed and sent to 110 Indiana hospital emergency department nurse managers. Forty-six instruments were returned for a response rate of 43.8%.The results indicated only three (7.1 %) responding hospital emergency departments had written bloodborne pathogen educational policies. Ten (20.8%) emergency departments provided some form of bloodborne pathogen education for injection drug users. Major barriers indicated for not providing patient education consisted of insufficient monetary resources, injection drug users denying a drug history, and emergency department nurses being unable to identify injection drug usage. / Department of Physiology and Health Science

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1988. / Also available in print.