Trichomoniasis affects 170 million people worldwide, and 7.4 million in the USA. There is increasing focus on the role of cysteine proteases in Trichomonas vaginalis because of their role in virulence of other parasitic protozoa. Determining their location and function will provide insight about their role in the pathogenicity of T. vaginalis and their feasibility as a drug target. This study begins to characterize the first sequenced cysteine protease (CP1). E. coli and P. pastoris expression systems were developed to produce CP1 to generate antiserum, and to have enough active protein for biochemical characterization. Secondly, endogenous and epitope tagged CP1 were localized in T. vaginalis vesicles. These vesicles were confirmed to have alkaline phosphatase activity which is a characteristic of lysosomes. Lastly, deletion mutants of CP1 were created to determine the role of the prodomain in targeting CP1 to vesicles.

No description available.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a common health problem in all populations; however, female adolescents are at increased risk for acquiring STIs and their complications. Their increased risk of acquiring STIs is due to their behavior, anatomy. and lack of knowledge about STIs. STIs have many complications in women. Some complications include: pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. The purpose of this integrative review is to identify current sexual behaviors of female adolescents, and to find strategies at preventing or reducing STIs within this population. Nurses and other health care providers need to know the current statistics of STIs in adolescent females, and need to understand their current sexual behaviors in order to implement effective preventative strategies.

Health care service providers in South Africa and elsewhere in the world are increasingly faced with an enormous challenge of modeling their approach to health care to meet the needs and expectations of the diverse societies they serve. The norms and customs that are inherent in these indigenous cultures are fundamental to the day-to-day existence of the people concerned and may hold a key to the understanding of many aspects of their lives, including the understanding of disease, in the case of this thesis, those transmitted sexually. A grounded theory study was used based on its theory of symbolic interactionism to explore the indigenous knowledge and health practices of the Vhavenda in sexually transmitted diseases. Data was collected through in-depth interview with traditional healers and key informants. Snowball sampling was used to idenify key informants as categories continued to emerge. Dara was analyzed using three basic types of coding namely, open coding, axial coding and selective coding. The findings of the study revealed a variety of terms used to identify SDs. Also emerging from the results was that cultural gender roles in the Vhavenda society justify women as sole agents of STDs. In accordance with grounded theory the decriptions of types of diseases, disease patterns, signs and symptoms culminated in "dirt" as the core category. It came out clear that dirt in the form of women'svaginal discharges and moral dirt is the main course of a STDs. It was also evident that strategies for combating STDs will have to take into account popular beliefs and attudes regarding views on STDs as well as the role and influence of traditional healers. Based on the above findings guidelines for designing a module for teaching health professionals has been formulated to aid them in understanding the beliefs and practices of people they serve. / Health Studies / D. Litt et Phil. (Health Studies)

"May 2004" / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 243-270) / xviii, 270 leaves : ill. (some col.), maps ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Social Sciences, Discipline of Geographical and Environmental Studies, 2004

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1996.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1996.

Health care service providers in South Africa and elsewhere in the world are increasingly faced with an enormous challenge of modeling their approach to health care to meet the needs and expectations of the diverse societies they serve. The norms and customs that are inherent in these indigenous cultures are fundamental to the day-to-day existence of the people concerned and may hold a key to the understanding of many aspects of their lives, including the understanding of disease, in the case of this thesis, those transmitted sexually. A grounded theory study was used based on its theory of symbolic interactionism to explore the indigenous knowledge and health practices of the Vhavenda in sexually transmitted diseases. Data was collected through in-depth interview with traditional healers and key informants. Snowball sampling was used to idenify key informants as categories continued to emerge. Dara was analyzed using three basic types of coding namely, open coding, axial coding and selective coding. The findings of the study revealed a variety of terms used to identify SDs. Also emerging from the results was that cultural gender roles in the Vhavenda society justify women as sole agents of STDs. In accordance with grounded theory the decriptions of types of diseases, disease patterns, signs and symptoms culminated in "dirt" as the core category. It came out clear that dirt in the form of women'svaginal discharges and moral dirt is the main course of a STDs. It was also evident that strategies for combating STDs will have to take into account popular beliefs and attudes regarding views on STDs as well as the role and influence of traditional healers. Based on the above findings guidelines for designing a module for teaching health professionals has been formulated to aid them in understanding the beliefs and practices of people they serve. / Health Studies / D. Litt et Phil. (Health Studies)

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection results in serious health issues including cervical, anal, vulvar, penile and oropharyngeal cancers. There are three vaccines against HPV but vaccination rates in the United States remain low. One barrier to uptake is a concern that individuals who are vaccinated may increase their risky sexual behaviors or decrease their use of cervical cancer screenings, an adjustment in perceived level of risk for HPV that can be studied using risk compensation theory. Methods Three distinct studies examined risk compensation after HPV vaccination. A systematic review examined literature from January 1, 2008-June 30, 2015, using three databases. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews of 22 healthcare providers that assessed their beliefs regarding sexual disinhibition and cervical cancer screening following vaccination. A cross-sectional survey that assessed cervical cancer screening practices, awareness and comfort with recommendations, and knowledge regarding the purpose of a Papanicolaou (Pap) test. Results Twenty articles were included in the systematic review. None of the studies of sexual behaviors and/or biological outcomes found evidence of riskier behaviors after HPV vaccination. Instead, the studies found vaccinated individuals were less likely to report risky sexual behaviors, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and pregnancy. Qualitative interviews found no healthcare providers believed the HPV vaccine would result in increased risky sexual behavior or decreased cervical cancer screening, and these concerns would not influence their vaccination recommendations. The survey included 291 women 21-35 years old; 62% were non-Hispanic black, 84% had a Pap test in the last three years, and 33% had at least one HPV vaccine. Logistic regression showed that vaccinated women did not have greater odds of having a Pap test in the past three years (OR=1.32; 95% CI=0.66-2.65; p=0.427). However, this odds ratio was significant when controlling for age and race (AOR=3.06; 95% CI=1.37-6.83; p=0.006). Conclusion These studies found no evidence of increased risky sexual behaviors or decreased cervical cancer screening rates after HPV vaccination. Furthermore, vaccinated women showed less evidence of risk compensation. These results should alleviate concerns about administering the HPV vaccination among parents and providers.

Thesis (MCur)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Research and in certain instances the lack of research as well as extensive experience of the researcher in this field of study convinced the researcher that a scientific study / exploration is critical on the different aspects of adolescent sexual health. A study, based on a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods (triangulation), was conducted to identify and describe the factors playing a role in adolescents’ experiencing problems in maintaining their sexual health. Adolescents are at risk of contracting Sexually Transmitted Diseases including HIV/AIDS because of their sexual behaviour. Initiation of early sexual relations contributing to possible multiple sexual partners and failure to consistently use condoms contribute to this risk. Failure to continuously use a reliable contraceptive method also enhances the risk of unintended pregnancies and consequent exposure to the risks involved in termination of pregnancy or the psychological effects of giving the baby up for adoption, the hardship of raising the baby as a single parent or being forced to marry at a young age. Thus the physical-, emotional-, and social well being of the adolescent is at risk when they are not equipped to maintain their sexual health.The study concludes that adolescents that are sexually active and have multiple sexual partners have a higher probability of not maintaining their sexual health. Based on the outcome of this study the researcher feels strongly that the following needs to be addressed in order to promote the maintenance of adolescent sexual health: • Professional nurses need to be trained and sensitized to guide and manage adolescents seeking sexual or reproductive advice; • Sexuality programmes need to be integrated into school curricula; • Positive use of the mass media to promote healthy lifestyles; and • Training programmes for parents and adolescents. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Navorsing en in sekere gevalle die gebrek daaraan sowel as ekstensiewe ondervinding van die navorser in die studieveld, het die navorser oortuig dat ‘n wetenskaplike studie / eksplorasie oor die veskillende aspekte van adolessente seksuele gesondheid krities was. ‘n Studie, gebaseer op ‘n kombinasie van kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe metodes (triangulasie), was uitgevoer om die faktore wat ‘n rol speel in adolessente se vermoëns om hul seksuele gesondheid te handhaaf, te identifiseer en te bepreek. Adolessente se risiko is hoog om Seksueel Oordraagbare siektes, insluitend MIV/VIGS, op te doen weens hul seksuele gedrag. Die aanvang van vroeë seksuele verhoudings dra by tot moontlike meervoudige seksmaats en die gebrek aan konsekwente gebruik van kondome verhoog die risiko. Gebrek aan die aaneenlopende gebruik van ‘n betroubare kontraseptiewe metode verhoog ook die risiko van ‘n ongewensde swangerskap en gevolglike blootstelling aan die risiko’s verbonde aan terminasie van swangerskap of die psigologiese effekte wat gepaard gaan met aanneming, enkel ouerskap en geforseerde trou op ‘n vroeë ouderdom. Derhalwe word die fisiese-, emosionele- en sosiale welsyn van die adolessent bedreig as hulle nie toegerus is om hul seksuele gesondheid te handhaaf nie.Die gevolgtrekking van die studie is dat adolessente wat seksueel aktief is en meervoudige seksmaats het, ‘n hoër waarskynlikheid het om nie hul seksuele gesondheid te handhaaf nie. Gebaseer op die uitkoms van die studie is die navorser van mening dat die volgende aangespreek moet word ten einde die handhawing van adolessente seksuele gesondheid te bevorder: • Geregistreerde vepleegkundiges moet opgelei en gesensitiseer word om adolessente te hanteer en van leiding te voorsien; • Seksualitiet programme moet in die skool kurrikulum integreer word; • Positiewe gebruik van die massa media om gesonde lewenstyle te bevorder; en • Opleidingsprogramme vir ouers en adolessente.