The problem of this investigation is to make a comparative study of a group of second grade children to determine, if possible, whether the child who attends kindergarten has any advantage over one who does not attend. Three phases of development are dealt with: behavior and social adjustment to second grade, mental maturity, and scholastic achievement in the second grade.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, 2017 / Over the years, epidemiological research has seen differing levels of the prevalence of hypertension across socio-economic strata. However in Sub-Saharan Africa, the patterns of association and underlying risk factors have often been poorly understood. In this study, we examined the extent to which socio-economic factors affect systolic and diastolic blood pressure across gender. Furthermore we explored whether certain risk factors associated with hypertension mediate this relationship. We used data from the third phase of the National Income Dynamic Study conducted in South Africa in 2012 on more than 18,000 adult individuals. Structural equation modelling and multiple linear regression were used to estimate the relationship between blood pressure and various behavioural, demographic and socio-economic variables. These results were then compared to determine which technique provides more meaningful results. A higher socio-economic status was associated with a higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure in both males and females. Furthermore, body mass index was a mediator of the indirect effect of socio-economic status on blood pressure. Smoker status, alcohol consumption, physical exercise, emotional well-being and resting heart rate were also mediators; however their role was modest in comparison to BMI. One of the findings of this study is that a reduction in the BMI of an individual will have an impact on lowering hypertension. Furthermore, the promotion of healthy behaviours that target higher income groups need to be established so that these groups can make rational decisions in choosing their behaviours. / XL2018

O arrivismo social, tema largamente abordado na literatura do século XIX, tem uma de suas grandes representações em na personagem Julien Sorel do romance Le rouge et le noir (1830) de Stendhal. Sorel é uma personagem verdadeiramente engendrada pelos acontecimentos históricos e sociais da época em que o romance foi escrito. Beneficiando-se de seu conhecimento dolatim e da Bíblia, vai aos poucos conquistando posições vantajosas nas casas em que é acolhido como preceptor e secretário. Escrito quase meio século depois de Le rouge et le noir, A mão e a luva (1874), do brasileiro Machado de Assis se passa no Rio de Janeiro do Segundo Reinado. Diferentemente de Stendhal, Machado de Assis não constrói a trama da heroína Guiomar a partir de fatos históricos específicos. Entretanto, a obra brasileira propicia ao leitor uma aguçada percepção dos costumes vigentes no Segundo Reinado, em mais de uma esfera social. Do nascimento humilde à vida adulta confortável, a trajetória de Guiomar traz à tona nuanças de uma sociedade em transformação. Esse estudo tem por objetivo observar a construção e o desenvolvimento dos protagonistas Julien Sorel e Guiomar em seus respectivos contextos literários, a fim de estabelecer, entre as narrativas, possíveis conexões. Não obstante, ao longo do trabalho, para além das semelhanças, tais como capacidade de adaptação e ambição, pôde-se perceber diferenças substanciais entre Julien e Guiomar: enquanto aquele destaca-se por não se adequar à norma social estabelecida, esta encaixa-se perfeitamente na sociedade em que vive, dominando amplamente suas regras. É o que tentaremos demonstrar e o que faz o objeto dessa dissertação. / The theme of social ambition, widely explored in 19th century literature, finds in the character Julien Sorel of Stendhals 1830 novel The Red and the Black one of its greatest representations. Sorel is truly engendered by the historical and social events of the novels period. By taking advantage of his knowledge of Latin and the Bible, he gradually gains a privileged position in those houses where he comes to work as a tutor and secretary. Written almost half a century after The Red and the Black, The Hand and the Glove (1874), by Brazilian writer Machado de Assis, takes place in Rio de Janeiro during the 1850s. Unlike Stendhal, Machado does not build his heroine Guiomars plot from specific historical events. Yet the novel offers the reader a heightened perception of life during the Second Reign, in more than one social class. From her humble origins to her comfortable adult life, Guiomars trajectory brings out the nuances of a changing society. The present study observes the construction and development of both protagonists Sorel and Guiomar in their respective literary contexts, in order to establish possible connections between the two narratives. Their similarities notwithstanding, such as their adaptability and ambition, this research has also identified substantial differences between Sorel and Guiomar. While he stands out for not conforming to the established social norms, she becomes perfectly adapted to the social environment where she lives, in complete control of its rules. This is the main object and argument of this dissertation.

by Maria Wan-Yin Lau Wong. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1990. / Bibliography: leaves 121-133. / SUMMARY --- p.1 / INTRODUCTION --- p.3 / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- IRON METABOLISM --- p.7 / Chapter 1.1 --- EXCRETION --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2 --- ABSORPTION --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3 --- IRON TRANSPORT AND STORAGE --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- TRANSFERRIN --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- STORAGE --- p.14 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH IRON DEFICIENCY OR OVERLOAD --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1 --- IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIAS --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- IMPAIRED ABSORPTION --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- INCREASED IRON REQUIREMENTS --- p.18 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- INCREASED IRON LOSS --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2 --- IRON OVERLOAD --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- INCREASED IRON ABSORPTION --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- PARENTERAL IRON OVERLOAD --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- FOCAL IRON DEPOSITION --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- NEONATAL HEMOCHROMATOSIS --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- IRON STATUS IN HONG KONG POPULATION --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- PREVALENCE OF IRON OVERLOAD IN VARIOUS REGIONS --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3 --- IRON STORAGE DISEASE --- p.29 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- ASSESSMENT OF IRON OVERLOAD --- p.31 / Chapter 3.1 --- SERUM PARAMETER --- p.31 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- SERUM IRON --- p.31 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- TRANSFERRIN SATURATION --- p.31 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- SERUM FERRITIN --- p.32 / Chapter 3.2 --- NON-SERUM PARAMETER --- p.34 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- HLA TYPING --- p.34 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- HEPATIC IRON CONCENTRATION --- p.35 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- HISTOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT --- p.35 / Chapter 3.2.3(i) --- HEPATIC MORPHOLOGY --- p.36 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- NON-INVASIVE PROCEDURE --- p.38 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.39 / Chapter METHOD 1: --- HAEMATOXYLIN AND EOSIN STAIN --- p.43 / Chapter METHOD 2: --- PERLS' PRUSSIAN BLUE --- p.44 / Chapter METHOD 3: --- ROWE'S HISTOLOGICAL GRADING SYSTEM OF IRON DEPOSITION --- p.45 / Chapter METHOD 4: --- SEARLE'S IRON GRADING SYSTEM --- p.47 / Chapter METHOD 5: --- PARAFFIN REMOVAL --- p.48 / Chapter METHOD 6: --- CHEMICAL DETERMINATION OF IRON CONCENTRATION BY ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROPHOTOMETRY --- p.49 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- RESULTS --- p.50 / Chapter 5.1 --- CHEMICAL DETERMINATION --- p.50 / Chapter 5.2 --- CONTROL GROUP --- p.53 / Chapter 5.3 --- HISTOLOGICAL STUDY --- p.54 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- NEONATES AND INFANTS --- p.55 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENCE --- p.56 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- ADULT IRON STORAGE --- p.56 / Chapter 5.4 --- SEX DISTRIBUTION --- p.57 / Chapter 5.5 --- AGE DISTRIBUTION --- p.58 / Chapter 5.6 --- ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SIDEROSIS IN HEPATOCYTES AND KUPFFER CELLS --- p.58 / Chapter 5.7 --- ASSOCIATION OF HEPATOCYTIC IRON WITH FIBROSIS --- p.59 / Chapter 5.8 --- SYSTEMIC TISSUES --- p.59 / Chapter 5. 11 --- HEPATOCYTIC IRON DETERMINED BY SEARLE'S METHOD --- p.61 / TABLES AND FIGURES --- p.63 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- DISCUSSION --- p.102 / Chapter 6.1 --- CORRELATION BETWEEN HISTOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL DETERMINATION OF IRON IN THE LIVER --- p.102 / Chapter 6.2 --- IRON CONTENT OF NEONATES --- p.105 / Chapter 6.3 --- IRON CONTENT OF THE ADOLESCENCE AND CHILDREN GROUP --- p.106 / Chapter 6.4 --- IRON CONTENT OF THE ADULT GROUP --- p.106 / Chapter 6.5 --- RELATIONSHIP OF SIGNIFICANT IRON DEPOSITION WITH SEX --- p.108 / Chapter 6.6 --- ASSOCIATION OF SIFNIFICANT IRON DEPOSITION WITH AGE --- p.108 / Chapter 6.7 --- MODE OF IRON DISTRIBUTION IN THE LIVER --- p.109 / Chapter 6.8 --- ASSOCIATION WITH FIBROSIS --- p.111 / Chapter 6.9 --- RELATIONSHIP WITH SYSTEMIC TISSUES --- p.112 / Chapter 6.10 --- THE CONTROL GROUP --- p.114 / Chapter 6.11 --- SEARLE'S IRON GRADING --- p.115 / Chapter 6.12 --- SIDEROSIS IN THE HONG KONG POPULATION --- p.116 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- CONCLUSION --- p.119 / REFERENCES --- p.121

The puzzle that drives this study is why Thailand pursued a proactive foreign policy towards greater powers during the Second World War. The main literature on Thai foreign policy-making generally suggests that Thailand is traditionally passive vis-à-vis greater powers. Oftentimes, it is believed that the fate of Thailand is subjected to the dictate of great powers. The empirical cases of Thailand during the Second World War suggest otherwise. How could a conventional understanding of Thai foreign policy make sense of Thailand’s war against France in 1940-41? Similarly, how could one understand Thailand’s defiant behaviours vis-à-vis Japan in 1941-44 despite the latter’s greater military capabilities and influence? This thesis employs the approaches of ontological security and status concern to interpret Thai proactive behaviours during the wartime period. It argues that concerns for status and recognition from the great powers were the primary motivations of Thailand’s proactive behaviours. In order to discern material and ideational motives of the Thai foreign policy-makers, this research heavily relies on archival research and utilises documents which were formerly considered to be classified. This methodological quest is to establish and enhance the credibility of the argument presented in the study.

Introdução: A partir da segunda metade da década de noventa, a oferta de tratamento com a Terapia Antiretroviral de Alta Potência contribuiu para a redução da mortalidade de pessoas vivendo com aids nos locais com acesso universal a medicação. Porém, a introdução de procedimentos efetivos tem sido apontada como associada a desigualdades em saúde, quando fatores sociais dificultam o acesso e a aderência ao tratamento. Objetivo: Descrever a evolução temporal da mortalidade nos bairros de Campinas, verificando se houve declínio após a disponibilização da terapêutica antirretroviral de alta potência em 1997 e se este declínio foi homogêneo entre três agregados de áreas da cidade, ou se foi de algum modo associada com a condição socioeconômica das mesmas. Métodos: Foram avaliadas as taxas de mortalidade por aids em bairros de Campinas, São Paulo, de 1996 a 2012, a fim de testar sua associação com o status socioeconômico da área de residência após o início da oferta universal e sem custo de Terapia Antiretroviral de Alta Potência. Foram calculadas as taxas de mortalidade anuais por aids, ajustadas por sexo e faixa etária, com base em informações oficiais de população e mortalidade. Foi estimada a tendência de declínio da mortalidade por aids, usando o procedimento de auto-regressão de Prais- Winsten para séries temporais. A taxa de declínio anual nos três agregados de bairros da cidade foi comparada segundo índices socioeconômicos estimados para o Índice de Condições de Vida. Resultados: A mortalidade por aids ajustada por sexo e idade em Campinas caiu de 13,6 óbitos/100.000 habitantes em 1996 para 4,6 óbitos /100.000 habitantes em 2012. O decréscimo anual foi de 5,5 por cento (Intervalo de Confiança 95 por cento 3,3 por cento -7,5 por cento ). Não foram observadas diferenças significantes de mortalidade (magnitude e taxa de redução) entre as áreas de moradia. Na faixa etária de adultos (20 a 49 anos), houve menor queda da mortalidade no sexo feminino, principalmente na área de pior status socioeconômico. Conclusões: O programa de tratamento para as pessoas com aids foi efetivo para a redução global da mortalidade devida à doença na cidade de Campinas. A redução de mortalidade foi homogênea entre as áreas, o que é compatível com a hipótese de redução das desigualdades em saúde. Porém, a menor redução na mortalidade de mulheres, na faixa etária de adultos, principalmente na região de pior condição socioeconômica, aponta a persistência de desigualdades sociais em saúde. / Introduction: Since the second half of the 1990s, the provision of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) contributed to the reduction in mortality of people living with AIDS in places with universal access to medication. However, the introduction of effective interventions has been identified as associated with health inequalities, when social factors hinder the access and adherence to treatment. Objective: to describe trends of mortality in the districts of Campinas, checking if there was decline after the release of the HAART in 1997 and if this decline was homogeneous among the three aggregate areas of the city, or was somehow associated with their socioeconomic status. Methods: We assessed AIDS mortality in neighborhoods of Campinas, São Paulo, from 1996 to 2012 in order to compare differences among areas of residence after the introduction of universal, free-of-cost provision of HAART. We estimated annual death rates by AIDS, as adjusted for sex and age, based on official information from population and mortality. The annual percent change of AIDS mortality was calculated using the procedure of Prais-Winsten for auto-regression of time series. We assessed differences of the annual percent change between the three clusters of neighborhoods; their socioeconomic status was informed by a socioeconomic index assessed by local health authorities. Results: The adjusted death rate by AIDS in Campinas reduced from 13.6 deaths/100,000 inhabitants in 1996 to 4.6 deaths/100,000 inhabitants in 2012. The annual percent change was 5.5 per cent (95 per cent Confidence Interval 3.3 per cent -7.5 per cent ). No significant differences of mortality (magnitude and annual percent change) among the living areas was observed. In the age group of adults (20-49 years old), a lower decrease of mortality in women was observed, especially in the area of lower socioeconomic status. Conclusions: The program of treatment for people with AIDS was effective in the city of Campinas, as refers to the overall reduction of mortality due to the disease. This reduction was homogeneous among the areas, which is consistent with the hypothesis of a reduction of inequalities in health. However, the lower reduction in mortality in women in the age group of adults, especially in the region of lower socioeconomic status, indicates the persistence of social inequalities in health.

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.

Background and aims: Southern European countries have been showing high overweight and obesity (OW/OB) rates especially among the younger generations (Cattaneo et al. 2010). Portugal is one of those countries with 37.9% overweight and 15.3% obesity in 6 to 8 year olds (Rito et al. 2012). However little is known about the health of ethnic minorities living in its capital city, Lisbon. The Cape Verdean community in Lisbon, the second largest group in Portugal, would be expected to be more affected by this epidemic due to social inequalities. This community also tend to have low educational levels, material deprivation and struggle with discrimination and racism, factors that would likely be associated with a higher prevalence of OW/OB. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of Cape Verdean ancestry children aged 6 to 12 years old living in Lisbon according to their socioeconomic status, general living conditions, family composition, diet and physical activity levels. To compare the findings with previous projects conducted in 1993 and 2009 in the same location with Cape Verdean ancestry children and with Portuguese ancestry children (national study conducted in 2009). To determine what early life factors have significant effect on these children's nutritional health. Methods : Physical measures and household information were collected from November 2013 to February 2014 in Cova da Moura Neighbourhood in Lisbon. Physical measures included height, weight, skinfolds, arm and waist circumferences. From these survey data body mass index (BMI) and the prevalence of stunting (chronic malnutrition - low height-for- age) and underweight (low-weight-for-age) were calculated according to reference values proposed by Frisancho (2008). Overweight and obesity values were defined based on the references established by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), CDC, and WHO depending on the specific aim or research question. Results: Results show this is a very deprived community with low educational levels and mostly employed in the service sector. Maternal height and child birth order showed a significant association with child's height. Moreover maternal height and age are associated with child leg length. Living in a single parent family is associated with an increase in child BMI of 1.412 units when accounting for maternal waist circumference. Also significant differences in height for boys and girls were observed between Cape Verdean and Portuguese children. Generally, Cape Verdeans growth falls within the healthy range of International growth references across all of the survey data collected. Cape Verdean rates for combined over nutrition (overweight and obesity) in 2013 (9.8% for boys and 16.7% for girls) are lower than the Portuguese (33% for boys and 31.7% for girls). Logistic regression models showed that Cape Verdean children have a lower risk of being OW/OB compared to Portuguese children when accounting for breastfeeding,birth weight,maternal education and occupation. Conclusions : Despite living in a deprived neighbourhood these Cape Verdean children seem to have grown healthier than Portuguese ancestry children. The challenge for policy makers will be to support improvement of the poverty related living conditions of this community without creating a risky environment for increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity.

Even before 9/11, there has been a long history of attitudes and public policies that were biased against people of Middle East descent in the United States--regardless of whether or not they are Muslim. This research uses Status Characteristics Theory (SCT) and stigma theory to examine whether there is low status or stigma associated with the Muslim religion and Middle Eastern ethnicity in the United States. By doing so, the research expands upon previous studies of stigma to explore the social psychological processes involved during interactions between the stigmatized and non-stigmatized. This study used experimental data, survey data and qualitative data collected from samples of undergraduate students using designs conceptualized specifically for this research. I conducted an experiment and a Web vignette-survey using undergraduate students from a Midwestern university. The findings of the experiment showed that that European American subjects paired with the Middle Eastern female partner not wearing a hijab and the Muslim Middle Eastern female partner wearing a hijab were influenced more and held more positive perceptions of their partners than did the subjects paired with the European American female partner. In contrast, the results of the Web vignette-survey indicate that the European American target applicant is more likely to be selected for the leadership position than either of the Middle Eastern target applicants (with or without hijab). Furthermore, the results of the social distance measures indicate that knowing someone from the Middle East (e.g. previous contact with a Middle Easterner) decreased the likelihood of social distance from the Middle Eastern target with hijab and without hijab across the vignette conditions. This suggests that there might be less of a tendency for individuals who have had personal contact and interacted with people from the Middle East to take the "us versus them" perspective, which is necessary in order to carry out the process of stigmatization.

<p><font size="4" face="TrebuchetMS,BoldItalic"><font size="4" face="TrebuchetMS,BoldItalic"> <p>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 &lsquo / expert&rsquo / 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&rsquo / s support, having prior knowledge of partner&rsquo / 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.</p> </font></font></p>