Thesis (D. Psych.)--Victoria University of Technology, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Communications. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 54-57).

Thesis (M.A.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Communications. / Electronic thesis. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 54-57). Also available in print ed.

Background: As many studies, women are more vulnerable to contract HIV through sex behavior than men from women. The low status of women also make women are more at risk of infecting with HIV. South Africa now is one of the most rapidly growing HIV epidemics in the world. In Africa, 74% of youth who get HIV/AIDS are young women and young girls. In 2005, there were 16.9 per cent women aged 15-24 years got HIV and only 4.4% men got HIV in South Africa. Objective: To identify the main internal risk factors and interventions/external factors of HIV/AIDS on young women in Africa. Data Source: Pub Med, Medline and Cochrane Library were searched for English articles from 1990 to 2011. (Keywords: HIV, AIDS, young women or girl or adolescent girl.) Results: Initial search produced 2888 articles. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 9 articles were for the final systematic review. 5 papers were about risk factors of HIV/AIDS and 4 papers were about the interventions or the factors influenced the risk factors. We identified four risk factors: intimate partner violence (IPV) and relationship power inequity, number of partners and last sexual activities, age of partner, alcohol consumption before sex. Two interventions/external factors: Microfinance with gender and HIV training curriculum and SES neighborhoods (Community level). Conclusions: We have two policy implications. First, we should ensure that preventive services, including education of young women have more accessibility. Secondly, because many young women who with older men have sex were more likely to infect with HIV, Therefore, we should make greater efforts to encourage them to adopt safer behavior. As the man play leading role in Africa, our prevention programs should focus more on men. / published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

The primary purpose of this research study was to cross-validate the risk factors in the Osteoporosis Risk Assessment by Composite Linear Estimate [ORACLE] as a screening tool in a population of healthy U.S. women at various menopausal stages. The secondary purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential use of physical activity history and relevant osteoporosis risk factors to effectively determine current bone status for a mixed menopausal population. Third, the purpose of this study was to compare Omnisense quantitative ultrasound [QUS] and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry [DXA] diagnostic values of osteopenia/osteoporosis based upon T- and Z-scores. Methods: Fifty-six female subjects (46.1 ± 6.3 years) in pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal stages who volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects completed an osteoporosis risk factor and physical activity history questionnaire. Subjects underwent laboratory testing comprised of distal radius quantitative ultrasound scan, dual hip and spine DXA scans, and a one week physical activity assessment. Results: Logistic regression analysis was utilized to examine the ability of the ORACLE to predict low BMD at the femoral neck and lumbar spine. There were no significant relationships between the group of ORACLE variables and BMD status at either the femoral neck or lumbar spine. In addition, none of the individual variables (age, BMI, use of HRT therapy, previous fracture, speed of sound [SOS]) were found to be significant predictors of low BMD at the femoral neck or lumbar spine. Notably, SOS measures from the Omnisense QUS were not found to have a strong positive predictive ability, with sensitivity values between 0-20% and specificity values between 81-86% at the femoral neck and lumbar spine. When the cohort was divided into normal and overweight/obese groups, sensitivity and specificity of QUS measures was not improved in the normal BMI group compared to the overweight/obese group. The use of physical activity variables to predict low BMD revealed some relationships trending toward significance, supporting previous research. Linear regression analyses revealed that the individual accelerometry variable of moderate-vigorous non-bout activity counts at the lumbar spine approached significance as a predictor of low BMD (p = 0.081). A significant correlation (r = 0.31, p < 0.05) between steps/day and subjective measures of current weight-bearing activity support the validity of the physical activity recall method for current physical activity. Conclusions: This study found that the ORACLE risk factors were not a valid osteoporosis screening tool in a mixed menopausal population of U.S. women. Secondarily, subjective and objective physical activity measures were non-significant predictors of current low BMD, but greater levels of moderate to vigorous non-bout activity counts trend towards being a significant predictor of higher BMD at the lumbar spine. Finally, results showed that Omnisense QUS measures were not found to be significantly related to DXA measures. Key Words: bone mineral density, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, osteoporosis, physical activity, quantitative ultrasound. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

Substantial empirical research has documented that HIV prevention and decision-making are heavily influenced by the knowledge and practice of values and beliefs regarding infection and behavior. Most HIV research is still concentrated among high-risk populations (IDU and FSW), leaving out women in long-term heterosexual marriage who have been considered “safe” and less at risk of infection. In addition, researchers have called for more comparative and cross-cultural studies focused on the interplay of health education, behaviors, context, and HIV risk perception. The objective of this dissertation is to advance understanding of the factors sexually experienced women in Postsocialist Georgia consider important when they assess HIV perceived risk of which they are made aware by messages emanating from the social environment. A conceptual framework that integrates concepts from traditional social psychological theory and the constructs of context-specific factors to guide research intervention is applied. Combined quantitative and qualitative approaches are used to achieve a better understanding of perceived HIV risk and its association with different factors. The testing of relationships from two national Reproductive Health Survey samples (1999 and 2005) demonstrate strong positive associations among increased HIV transmission knowledge, belief in accidental transmission, HIV testing practice, and HIV perceived risk, while controlling for sociodemographic factors. Characteristics associated with social norms and economic factors (including stigmatizing attitudes about the rights of PWAs, constrained attitudes concerning sexual control, and experienced migration) demonstrate a strong significant link with assessment of HIV risk perception. Qualitative research with women strengthens the argument of superficial health education and helps to explain variations in perceived risk assessment. Through the interviews, HIV prevention practice is examined in relation to a myriad of cognitive components. This study finds health knowledge, misconceptions, stigmatizing attitudes, and beliefs in sexual and gender norms among the major factors constraining successful HIV/AIDS prevention practices. An effective strategy for HIV/AIDS prevention will require enhancement of research, more emphasis on an integrated approach to target education efforts, training providers in information diffusion approaches, and promoting a general communication campaign. / text

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 167-172).