Thesis--PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Rowan University, 2008. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references.

The goal of this report was to assess current prevention strategies that attempt to reduce HIV prevalence among female sex workers (FSW) in Honduras. This analysis was based on the difference between behavioral change and structural approaches; that is, while behavioral change theories are based on risk reduction through promoting individuals’ change, the structural approach addresses the factors in the environment that make individuals vulnerable to HIV. In order to analyze prevention strategies in Honduras, I carried out an analysis of the structural conditions at the country level and, at the sex workers population level. The structural factors that make Honduras a country vulnerable to HIV are political instability, migrations, poverty and socio-economic conditions, and gender inequality. As a consequence of those macro-environmental conditions, sex workers face the following micro-environmental factors that increase their vulnerability to HIV: violence and male domination; large families and single parenthood; low income and poor education; and public policies against sex work, such as police abuse and closure of brothels. This report is based on an analysis of the Sonagachi Project in India, 100% Condom Use in Thailand, and the intervention in the Dominican Republic, programs that successfully address structural conditions and decrease women’s vulnerability to HIV. This report showed that in Honduras, the prevention strategies currently implemented are limited because they are based on behavioral change theories, failing to address environmental barriers that increase vulnerability to HIV among FSW. I give some specific recommendations about how to improve prevention strategies in this country reducing women’s vulnerability by addressing the structural factors they face. / text

Transmissible diseases are re-emerging as a global problem, with Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) becoming endemic. Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading cause of bacterially-acquired STD worldwide, with the Australian cost of infection estimated at $90 - $160 million annually. Studies using animal models of genital tract Chlamydia infection suggested that the hormonal status of the genital tract epithelium at the time of exposure may influence the outcome of infection. Oral contraceptive use also increased the risk of contracting chlamydial infections compared to women not using contraception. Generally it was suggested that the outcome of chlamydial infection is determined in part by the hormonal status of the epithelium at the time of exposure. Using the human endolmetrial cell line ECC-1 this study investigated the effects of C. trachomatis serovar D infection, in conjunction with the female sex hormones, 17β-estradiol and progesterone, on chlamydial gene expression. While previous studies have examined the host response, this is the first study to examine C.trachomatis gene expression under different hormonal conditions. We have highlighted a basic model of C. trachomatis gene regulation in the presence of steroid hormones by identifying 60 genes that were regulated by addition of estradiol and/or progesterone. In addition, the third chapter of this thesis discussed and compared the significance of the current findings in the context of data from other research groups to improve our understanding of the molecular basis of chlamydial persistence under hormonal different conditions. In addition, this study analysed the effects of these female sex hormones and C. trachomatis Serovar D infection, on host susceptibility and bacterial growth. Our results clearly demonstrated that addition of steroid hormones not only had a great impact on the level of infectivity of epithelial cells with C.trachomatis serovar D, but also the morphology of chlamydial inclusions was affected by hormone supplementation.

The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of the Iowa Sex Offender Risk Assessment (ISORA) instrument used in the Iowa Department of Corrections to assess for future occurrences of female offender recidivism. Using a sample of 105 females convicted of a sexual offense in the State of Iowa, the current study examined rates of recidivism using the ISORA. The goal of this study was to determine the validity of the ISORA in predicting recidivism rates as measured by (a) new convictions for sex offenses and other violent crimes, (b) new convictions for sex crimes using a strict definition, and (c) any new conviction for any new crime. Data were collected on all female participants in this study using case file information from various database resources. Mean-cost rating scores and Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve analyses were conducted to explore the relationships between risk assessment categories on the ISORA and each type of recidivism as well as between raw ISORA scores and each type of recidivism. Results showed the overall recidivism rate of female offenders was 22% for this study, while the sexual recidivism rate in this study was 2%. Results also provided evidence that the ISORA can be used to predict sexual and violent recidivism (AUC = .85) as well as general recidivism (AUC = .64) for female sex offenders. In conclusion, the ISORA is a valid risk assessment tool when predicting general and sexual or violent recidivism for female sexual offenders. However, further research examining improvements in the instrument could be conducted to enhance the validity of the instrument.

archives@tulane.edu / Background: Although engagement and retention in HIV care and treatment is a critical issue across populations, it is of particular importance among female sex workers (FSWs) as they are disproportionately affected by HIV due to high rates of sexual risk behaviors and large sexual networks. Drug use is one of the most consistent and salient barriers to successful engagement in HIV care and treatment. For many FSWs, drug use is a common part of their daily lives. While individual-level factors likely explain a substantial portion of variability in drug use behavior, evidence demonstrates that differences in health behaviors and outcomes cannot be fully explained by individual-level factors alone. Previous explorations of drug-related harms have found that neighborhoods and social networks are two important environments that impact substance use behavior and associated health outcomes; yet, there has been little research on the interacting effects of networks and neighborhoods on drug use among FSWs living with HIV. Objective: Using innovative geospatial and social network methods, the purpose of this pilot study was 1) to characterize the physical and social risk environments of a small cohort of FSWs living with HIV in the Dominican Republic (DR), and 2) to examine the association between their daily activity patterns and social relationships on illicit drug use. Methods: A micro-longitudinal observational study design was employed. Data collection activities included: (1) semi-structured questionnaire, (2) daily activity space mapping, (3) daily behavior diary, (4) social network survey; and (5) secondary data. Statistical analysis included spatial mapping, social network analysis, univariate and bivariate means analysis, generalized estimating equations (GEE) with repeated measures, interaction and effect modification. Results: Findings suggest that social networks, specifically drug networks and sex and drug networks, and daily activity path and location-based risk exposures are independently associated with risk of daily drug use, and that network risk profile modifies the association between location-based risk exposure and daily drug use. Results from Paper 1 show that participants exposed to a higher number of risk outlets within 200 meters of their weekly activity paths weighted by time exposed had an increased risk of daily drug use (RRadj: 2.83, 95%CI: 1.14, 7.03). Similarly, per unit increase in risk outlet exposure within 200 meters of sex work locations was associated with an increased risk of daily drug use (RRadj: 1.03, 95%CI: 1.00, 1.05). Paper 2 results indicate that participants with more drug using members and sexual partners who were also drug users in their social networks were 8.89 (95%CI: 2.62, 30.33) and 6.08 (95 CI%: 1.20, 30.92) times more likely to use drugs compared to those with fewer drug using members and sexual partners who used drugs. Finally, paper 3 results suggest that the joint effects of networks and activity space are greater than individual effects alone and that drug network and sex and drug network modify the association between sex work location risk environment exposure and daily drug use. No differences were detected among individuals with large drug and sex and drug networks, but among individuals with small drug and sex and drug networks, per unit increase in risk outlet exposure within 200-meters of sex work locations was associated with an increased risk of daily drug use. Conclusions: This research provides significant information on the overlapping and diverging characteristics of the social factors and physical spaces that shape drug use in the broader context of sex work, HIV, and vulnerability in a low-and middle-income country (LMIC) setting. Findings may be used to inform integrated care interventions that are geographically targeted and address the social processes and structures that influence drug harms and HIV treatment in a highly stigmatized and vulnerable population. / 1 / Erica Ann Felker-Kantor

Empirical research exploring the physical health of female sex workers and their risk of contracting and spreading sexually transmitted infections has been over-researched. There have also been numerous studies conducted on sex workers highlighting physical violence, rape and stigmatisation. There is, however, little empirical evidence exploring the personal lives of female sex workers especially with regards to their husbands and the impact that their wives choice in career may have on the constructions of their masculinity. Accordingly, this research aimed to qualitatively explore and understand, via a comparative in-depth case study with two married couples, how the masculinity of a man, who is married to a high-income female sex worker, may be constructed, as compared to a man who is married to a woman who is not involved in the sex industry. It was found, after conducting semi-structured, one-on-one interviews with each of the married couples, that the males constructed their masculinity in relation to their wives occupation, their income in comparison to that of their wives, their wives sexuality, familial and historical notions regarding infidelity, certainty regarding paternity, and issues of romantic jealousy (both sexual and emotional). It was found that, at least for the man from a non-traditional marriage (where his wife was a FSW), by constructing and reconstructing one’s masculinity (when faced with perceived threats regarding one's sense of masculinity), one is able to reclaim the typical patriarchal characteristics. This is done by strongly conforming (and potentially overcompensating by doing so) to traditional masculine and social patriarchal standards and/or by constructing one’s masculinity to align with a more liberal feminist perspective. Therefore one demonstrates a contemporary appreciation of gender equality and non-traditional gender roles for one’s female partner.

No description available.

Thesis (M.A. in sociology)--Washington State University, December 2008. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Apr. 10, 2009). "Department of Sociology." Includes bibliographical references (p. 90-101).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Washington State University, August 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Aug. 27, 2009). "Program in Criminal Justice." Includes bibliographical references (p. 112-123).